10 Ways to Protect Your Private Information on a Public Computer
Whenever you use any public computer, you must take care to protect yourself by following a few basic rules. The 10 recommendations found here are the minimum steps you should take to protect your personal information whenever you use a public PC.
1. PC Setup – If you know a thing or two about how your home computer works, you can apply that knowledge to testing any public computer. For example, what does the public computer allow you to do? At the very least, no public user should be allowed to load any software onto the PC or make administrative changes to the operating system. The less control you have over the computer the less control any user has. The tighter the restrictions the better.
2 – Keyloggers – A keylogger is either a physical device or software that records your keystrokes as you use the public computer. Many physical keyloggers attach to the keyboard’s cable before it connects to the computer.
This is one way that someone wanting to steal your information can circumvent any restrictions on loading software onto the public PC. Take a look behind the computer and if you see any strange devices between the keyboard and the computer, be very careful about what information you type into the PC.
3 – Avoid Certain Tasks – The best way to thwart a would-be thief is to avoid using the public computer for anything that would require sensitive information. Online banking or shopping is best left to a PC that you know is secure. Save those tasks for when you are home.
One policy to adopt is to assume that everyone will see what you do on a public PC. This way you are sure to avoid revealing personal information when using a public PC.
4 – Clear Cache – If you have the ability to clear any cached information, do this as your last step before you leave the public PC behind. In particular, clear out the cached web pages and cookies from the browser you used. Memorizing how to do this with the various browsers will help save you time the next time you use a public computer.
5 – Delete Files – If you created and saved any documents while using a public PC, be sure to delete them before you step away from the PC. Many people create files and save them to the computer’s desktop. Create a folder on the desktop and store any new files in that folder. Then when you are done, delete the folder and avoid having to hunt around the PC for the files you created.
6 – Empty Trash/Recycle Bin – Most modern operating systems make use of a trash/recycle bin into which you discard old or outdated files. Remember that when you place a file into the recycle bin, it doesn’t automatically get deleted from the computer. Empty the recycle bin as your last step before you walk away from the computer.
7 – Use Flash Drives Carefully – If you save your files to a flash drive, be careful because you may end up giving all of your files on the drive to a would-be thief. The thief may have loaded software on the public computer to grab any files on a drive that is inserted into the computer.
The thief may also have setup the computer to copy a virus to your flash drive so as to compromise your personal computer when you insert the drive into your home PC.
8 – Uncheck Save Info Options – Websites that require usernames and passwords often use cookies to save this information to make it easier for you to log in next time. When a website offers to save this information for you, always make sure that option is unchecked before you log in.
9 – Watch for Prying Eyes – Keyloggers may log the keys you type when using a public PC, but some thieves will simply look over your shoulder to see what you are typing. Another trick used by some hackers is to use a video camera to record your hands at the keyboard.
Using a small, undetectable camera or equipment with telephoto lenses, these thieves can even capture your public PC activities from far away. Use your body as a shield if you must type in personal information at a public PC.
10 – Trust Your Instincts – Sometimes things just feel a bit off. If the public computer you are using seems to be acting strangely or starts asking you for more information than you are willing to give, just walk away from the PC.
Some cyber cafes are just looking to collect information about you to get a profile of their clientele or to send you spam about their next big event. If at any time you feel uncomfortable sharing information, don’t hesitate to leave so you don’t risk giving away your private information.
Public computers such as kiosks can represent a privacy risk if you don’t protect yourself from prying eyes, undeleted files, and information left behind in cookies and other places. At a minimum, you should use the 10 recommendations above to protect your privacy and make using a public computer a safer experience for yourself.
