Public computers in libraries, schools, Internet cafes, airports, and copy shops are very convenient and a great tool to get work done quickly and effectively. As accessible and convenient as they are, public computers could also be a hacker’s paradise. Still, these computers can be safe if you follow a few simple rules when you use them.

On your own personal computer, you’re free to install whatever security software you feel necessary. You’ll surely want a firewall to block hack attacks and an antivirus app to keep out malware. Your computer isn’t accessible to random passers-by, so you may not be so worried about activity traces like browsing history.

Using a public computer at an Internet café, library, school, or even a friend’s house is quite a different situation. First, you have no guaranteed that the computer is protected; it might be riddled with viruses or afflicted with a keylogger. Second, unless you’re careful the next user might learn a lot more than you’d like about your online session.

Below are some of StaySafer’s tips to help keep your work, personal, or financial information private.

First things first: never save your passwords, usernames, or information on the computer. Many programs (especially social networking websites, web mail, and instant messenger programs) include automatic login features that will save your username and password. Disable this option so no one can log in as you. As a result, most computers will have a pop-up appear on the top right corner of the screen once you enter your information on any website, asking to save your information (to make logging on easier in the future). Make sure to read the pop-up carefully, and chose the “Never Save” option.

For your convenience, the browser keeps a history of sites you’ve visited, stores cookies that retain personal settings for sites, and caches files for faster loading of sites you visited before. That’s fine at home, but when you’re using a public computer you don’t want the browser storing all that information.

Fortunately most modern browsers can run in a mode that suppresses information-gathering and protects your privacy. You can right-click the Internet Explorer icon and choose “Start InPrivate Browsing,” or right-click on the Firefox icon and choose “Enter private browsing.” For either Firefox or IE, pressing Ctrl+Shift+P during a normal browsing session switches to private browsing. In Chrome, the private browsing mode is called “Incognito mode,” and pressing Ctrl+Shift+N opens an Incognito mode window.

One more thing; be sure to shut down the browser when you’re done. Even private browsing doesn’t disable the Back button. You don’t want the next user backing into your Facebook session or Web-based email account.

Don’t leave the computer unattended with sensitive information on the screen. If you have to leave the public computer, log out of all programs and close all windows that might display sensitive information. Watch for over-the-shoulder snoops. When you use a public computer, be on the look-out for thieves who look over your shoulder or watch as you enter sensitive passwords to collect your information.

The most effective way to StaySafer on a public computer is by simply not entering sensitive information or logging on to accounts you cannot risk to be hacked.

These measures provide some protection against casual hackers who use a public computer after you have. But keep in mind that an industrious thief might have installed sophisticated software on the public computer that records every keystroke and then emails that information back to the thief. Then it doesn’t matter if you haven’t saved your information or if you’ve erased your tracks. They still have access to this information. If you really want to be safe, avoid typing your credit card number or any other financial or otherwise sensitive information into any public computer.
Finally, once you’re logged on, get your work done, and finish, always logout of websites by clicking “log out” on the site. It’s not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address. Contrary to popular belief, closing the browser WILL NOT automatically log you out on most sites- this gives the next person to use the public computer access to all of your personal information

With these tips, on a public or personal computer, your personal information is sure to StaySafer!