Usage of Computers, Smart Phones and Tablets are quite common in our day to day life, and it is really tough to imagine a day without logging into our email account or social media profiles. However, when we are traveling without internet enabled devices, we will be compelled to use public computers at internet cafes, airports, and railway stations. Even some people who have their own broadband internet access have a habit of visiting these public computer spots occasionally, and the big question comes into the picture at this juncture. Are these public computers safe to use? And the answer is “It really depends on how you use them”. For ensuring 100% safety while using public computers, you can follow the tips mentioned below.
Do Not Enter any Sensitive Information
This is the first and foremost tip you should follow to ensure financial safety and privacy while using public computers. It is not recommended that you enter any sensitive details like credit card numbers or bank details when using a public computer. There are various sophisticated software applications which will help a thief to decode each and every keystroke of yours, and this information may get mailed to the hacker’s account.
Public computers are not the right place to do any kind of cash transactions. So, it is highly recommended to avoid online shopping and online banking through a public computer.
Do Not Save Your Log In Information
Many people have the habit of closing the window and leaving the session after using any website. However, this is not recommended when using a public PC because closing the window does not necessarily erase your log in details on the system or website. So, it is highly recommended that you log out from any website after using it for better safety and protection.
On certain Social Media sites and E-Mail accounts, you will see an automatic log in feature which will save your log in details. You should always disable this option while operating a public computer, and this will help you to prevent others from logging in as you.
One more thing to note along these lines is that some browsers allow you to save your passwords for websites. When using a public PC, you will want to make sure you don’t allow the browser to save or store these passwords.
Always Keep an Eye out for People Watching You
When using a public computer, you should always make sure that there is no one behind you who looks over your shoulders in the effort to see your personal information. There are some expert thieves who can memorize your password quickly within a glance. So, be careful and keep an eye out for anyone watching you work.
Erase Your History
For better privacy, you can erase your Internet browsing history, clear cookies, and delete any temporary files.
Don’t Leave Any Files on the Computer
Another great tip for using a public computer is to not leave any of your files on the public PC. For example, if you are working on a Word document and you need to save it to the hard drive, make sure you delete the file after using it. Keep in mind that to completely get rid of the file, you will need to empty the recycle bin as well.
Close all Programs and Browser Windows
It was mentioned above that you should log out of all accounts, like email and social networks, before closing any browser windows. However, after you do this, you will want to make sure you close the browser. Also, if you opened up any other programs, you will want to close these before walking away from the PC. In general, you should leave the public computer just like you found it, with nothing open.
If you are careful and mindful, then using a public computer will be no problem at all. Know another safety tip for using public computers? Let us know in the comments!