Using public
computers at colleges, libraries, Internet cafes, airports, and copy
shops can be relatively safe if you heed the following tips.
The
browser keeps a copy of many things in its cache and it may be passwords
or other sensitive bits of information. The next person on the computer
may be savvy enough to recover this information.
Always Log Out
Make
sure you log out of Web sites by clicking "log out" on the site. Do not
just close the browser and think you are safe. The next person may be
able to open the browser and find you are still logged in.
Disable the Autocomplete Feature
Many
programs (especially browsers and instant messengers) include automatic
login features that will save your user name and password. Disable this
option so no one can log in as you.
Internet Explorer
Before you go to the Web, turn off the Internet Explorer feature that "remembers" your passwords.
1. click
Tools |
Internet Options |
Content tab |
AutoComplete
3. Click to clear both check boxes having to do with passwords.
Do not Save Passwords
Sometimes this feature is turned on, by mistake or on purpose. Make sure it is not enabled.
Internet Explorer
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.
Firefox
Choose Tools | Options | Security and deselect Remember Passwords For Sites
Do not Leave the Computer Unattended
Especially
with sensitive information on the screen. If you have to leave the
public computer, log out of all programs and close all windows. Then
erase your tracks.
Erase Your Tracks
Web browsers such as
Internet Explorer keep a record of your passwords and every page you
visit, even after you’ve closed them and logged out.
When you finish your use of a public computer, you should delete all the temporary files and your Internet history.
Internet Explorer 7
Click
Tools and then
Delete Browsing History > Delete All
Older Internet Explorer
- click Tools and then Internet Options
- On the General tab, under Temporary Internet files, click Delete Files, and then click Delete Cookies
- Under History, click Clear History
- Delete
all the files in the temporary folder of your user account which you
can find by browsing to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local
Settings\Temp
Firefox Browser
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
Clear the Page File
The pagefile
is the location on the hard disk that serves as virtual memory in
Windows. Its purpose is to swap out data from RAM so that programs can
operate as if they have more RAM available than you actually have
installed in the computer. Anything that can be stored in memory can be
stored in the pagefile. To have this automatically cleared on shutdown,
you need to use Local Security Policy.
To access Local
Security Policy, open Control Panel, double-click on Administrative
Tools, and double-click on Local Security Policy. Then, click Security
Options in the right-hand pane and scroll down to Shutdown: Clear
Virtual Memory Pagefile. Double-click that item and make sure it’s
enabled.
Note: On many public machines you won’t have the
rights to get to Local Security Policy, and while this task can also be
accomplished from the registry, on these machines you likely won’t be
able to use regedit either. In this case, you can delete the page file
manually. First you’ll have to change the settings in Windows Explorer.
Click View | Folder Options and the View tab, then scroll down and click
Show Hidden Files And Folders. Deselect the Hide Protected Operating
System Files check box. Now, find the file named pagefile.sys. It is
usually (but not always) on the C: drive. Delete it; a new one will be
created when the system reboots
Reboot When Finished
When
you’re finished using the public computer, the final thing you should do
is a hard reboot. This will not only clear the pagefile, if you’ve
enabled that option, but it will also clear out everything you did from
the physical memory (RAM).
Create a Temporary Email Account
Most
email accounts can forward to another one. If you are going away for a
few days, create a temporary email account and forward your emails
there. Once you are home, shut off forwarding and abandon the temporary
email account.
Carry your Own Software
There are many
software applications that can run off USB drives. For example, the
portable Firefox browser will keep its cache and sensitive data on the
USB drive, not the public computer's drive. Also you can save files to
the USB drive rather than the public computer's disk drive.
PortableApps website contains a whole suite of portable apps...and they are free.
Watch for Snoops
When
you use a public computer, be on the lookout for thieves who look over
your shoulder or watch as you enter sensitive passwords to collect your
information.
A cell phone camera or someone with a good memory
could capture your information easily. Don't forget people can watch
your hands and see what keys you press.
Do not Enter Sensitive Information into a Public Computer
These
measures provide some protection against casual hackers who use a
public computer after you have. If you can, use a USB drive to store
your information.
When you get home, change the passwords of any
accounts you logged into while on the road. This will mitigate anyone
tampering with your account.
But keep in mind that an industrious
thief might have installed sophisticated software on the public
computer that records every keystroke and then e-mails that information
back to the thief.
If you really want to be safe, avoid entering any sensitive information into any public computer.
Do not Forget to Take your USB drive
It happens. You get in a hurry and leave your USB drive (or floppy) on the public computer. You are forewarned.
Using Wireless Laptops in Public
Wireless laptops present a whole new set of security issues. Read about our laptop security tips.