How to use public computer safely

In order not to fall victim to fraudsters otherwise known here in Nigeria as ‘yahoo-yahoo boys’, you have to be mindful of the sites you visit, the pages you click and you have to keep your password safe.Remember that every browser ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome and Opera etc) keeps a copy of the […]

In order not to fall victim to fraudsters otherwise known here in Nigeria as ‘yahoo-yahoo boys’, you have to be mindful of the sites you visit, the pages you click and you have to keep your password safe.Remember that every browser ( Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome and Opera etc) keeps a copy of the sites you visit, the pages you click on and even your password in a place cashe, according experts at SafeOnline Guide.

If he knows what to do, the next person to use the computer after you may be able to check this information and get into your data.But using public computers or friends’ computers can be safe if you can do the following as proffered by the SafeOnline Guide:

Always sign out

You have to make sure you always sign out of the websites you visit by clicking ‘Log out’ or Sign 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.

Do not save passwords

Your browser may ask you if you will like it to remember your password, don’t ever agree with it especially when you use public computers. What to do:

Turn off on Internet Explorer

Go to Tools and then to Internet Options and then to 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.

Turn off In Firefox

Choose Tools then Options then Security and deselect ‘Remember Passwords For Sites’.

Do not leave the computer unattended

This is so important especially with sensitive information on the screen. If you have to leave a public computer even for a few minutes, make sure you sign out of all programs and close all windows. Then erase your tracks.

Erase your tracks

When you are done using a public computer, delete all the temporary files and your internet history. This way the next person will not be able to see what you have done.

Reboot when you finished

When you are finished doing what you were doing on a public computer, the last thing you should on it is to hard reboot.

Be watchful of giraffes

Whenever you use a public computer, always watch out for fraudsters who look over your shoulder or watch as you type sensitive passwords in order for them to collect your information.

Make sure you do not forget your USB drive

Fraudsters can easily access to your document via your USB drive, so always remember to take it out whenever you use a public computer.