Using Public Computers to check your e-mail

Using a public computer to check your e-mail, bank accounts and travel arrangements may be more convenient than lugging around a laptop when traveling. But it's also more dangerous. PCs are easily located at Internet cafes, airports, libraries, hotel business centers and other public places. Unfortunately, unscrupulous souls target these machines in an attempt to hijack your sensitive information. To reduce the risk, consider these safety tips:


1) Scope out the snoops. Look around to see if anyone is watching you. This is particularly important if you are accessing a password-protected account. Someone could be observing and recording your private information.


2) Be wary of accessing your private data. Doing online banking, stock trades and other financial transactions is not a good idea. Neither is entering your credit card number to shop online. It's possible that a hi-tech thief may have installed keylogger software on the computer. It secretly records your key strokes, then e-mails it to him. Armed with that information, he can access your accounts--bad news.



3) Log out. If you've accessed a website that requires a login (for instance, your e-mail account), make sure to log out by clicking the appropriate link (usually locate at the top right of the page).

4) Close the browser. For extra protection, close all browser windows and any other programs that may be running.


5) Don't leave the computer unattended. If you have to leave temporarily, log out and close the program you are using. Don't just minimize the window.



6) Don't let the computer save your login information. Some programs offer to save your user name and password. Click "No" if a pop-up box offers this option. Some web browsers record this information anyway, so before you start surfing, disable this feature. Here's how to do it with Internet Explorer 7:

-On the menu bar, click Tools, then Internet Options from the drop-down list.
-Click the Content tab, then Settings in the AutoComplete section.
-Uncheck any boxes that are checked, then click OK to close the AutoComplete Settings and click OK to close the Internet settings.

Cover your tracks. You can delete the record of the sites you visited and any cookies that may be stored on the computer.

Here's how:
-On the menu bar, click Tools, then Internet Options from the drop-down list.
-Click the General tab, then Delete in the Browsing History section.
-In the Delete Browsing History box, click Delete All.



Consider fellow surfers. Avoid opening suspicious e-mail attachments or downloading software. Don't do anything that may potentially infect the computer and cause problems for the next user.