IT NEWS, TIPS AND ADVICE - MARCH 2008
Welcome to the latest newsletter.
Using a Public Computer - Safely
If last month's newsletter put you off using your PC(!) you may be tempted to use a public computer. After all, what harm can it do? This month I am going to tell you that this is a bad idea too! Well, a bad idea if you don't protect yourself!
Most of us will have to use a public computer for one reason or another. Maybe it’s an emergency situation (your own computer crashes - see last's months newsletter) or perhaps the opportunity is just too convenient to pass up. Whatever your reasons, using public computers will always carry an inherent risk of exposing your personal data. Luckily, there are some things you can do to protect yourself and lessen that risk.
Delete your Browsing History
This should be the first step you take to protect your privacy when Web surfing on a public computer. When you’ve finished browsing, it's a good idea to delete your cookies, form data, history, and temporary Internet files.
In Internet Explorer 7, you can do this all at once under Tools --> Delete Browsing History. In older versions of IE, each of these must be deleted separately, under Tools --> Internet Options.
In Mozilla Firefox, go to Tools -->| Options, click the Privacy tab, and select Always Clear My Private Data When I Close Firefox. By default, this erases your browsing history, download history, saved form information, cache, and authenticated sessions. Click the Settings button and select the options to erase your cookies and saved passwords, too.
Don’t save files locally
When you're using a computer other than your own, even if it's a trusted friend’s machine, it's polite to avoid saving files locally if you can help it. On a public machine, though, this goes beyond politeness and is an important security practice. Many of the files you would normally save locally, such as e-mail attachments, can contain private or sensitive information. An easy way to protect this data is to carry a flash drive and save files there when necessary. Remember to 'safely remove' the flash drive.
Don’t save passwords
This should be obvious when using a public computer, but if the option to automatically save password is already turned on, you might forget about it.
To make sure passwords are not saved:
In Internet Explorer 7, go to Tools --> Internet Options --> Content. In the AutoComplete panel, click the Settings button and verify that the Prompt Me To Save Passwords check box is deselected. None of the other AutoComplete features needs to be enabled either, so deselect them as well.
In Firefox, choose Tools --> Options --> Security and deselect Remember Passwords For Sites.
Don’t Bank On-Line
You should remember that ultimately, a public computer is never going to be anywhere close to completely secure, so there are some things you just shouldn’t use them for.
If you really need to check your balance on the road, you’re much better off finding a branch office or ATM or using your phone.
Don’t enter credit card information
As with online banking, public computers are not the place for online shopping. Your purchases from eBay or Amazon.com can and should wait until you can browse from a more secure location. A little added convenience isn’t worth the trouble of having your credit card hijacked.
Pay attention to your surroundings and use common sense
Finally, you need to remember to pay attention to things outside of the actual computer that could be a risk. Be aware of strangers around you and remember that a public computer is just that -- public. Don’t view any truly sensitive documents you couldn’t bear for others to see. Remember the security camera over your shoulder. Cover your hands from view when entering any login information to prevent any casual spying.
Remember:- TRUST NO ONE
Most important, remember that there is nothing you can do to make a public computer completely secure. A truly malicious owner or user could install a hardware keystroke logger that would be impossible to detect without actually opening the case and inspecting it. With that less-than-comforting thought, use common sense and use public computers only for non-sensitive tasks.
Final Word
I hope with this newsletter I have highlighted some of the problems you can encounter while you work and play with someone else's PC and that I have also pointed you towards some of the solutions. As always, I encourage anyone with a comment, suggestion, question, idea, criticism or inspiration to contact me at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Please also see The Inland Magazine Computer Problems Forum if you have a specific IT problem.
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