Keeping Your Information Safe When You Are Out And About
While we know that protecting our home computers through firewalls and security software is essential, we often do not think about security when we are accessing the internet away from home (particularly on smartphones and tablets). Here are some tips for keeping your information secure when using public access computers and free (unsecure) Wi-Fi.
Public access computers are the computers available at places such as public libraries, internet cafes, hotels, and some tourist information offices. While they have security measures in place to protect the computers, their public nature means that their security is often not at a level equivalent to a home computer. Here are some tips to keep your information secure:
- Always deselect “Keep me logged in” option on any
website such as for your email and Facebook. - Always log out of all websites. Closing the browser window or typing in
another address is not enough. - Always make sure you log out your session on the computer to
make sure someone else can not view the sites you visited. - Do not the leave the computer unattended if sensitive
information is on the screen. - Watch for over-the-shoulder snoops, particularly when
you are entering passwords or viewing sensitive information. - To be really safe, avoid entering credit card
information or other financial information into a public computer.
Free Wi-Fi hotspots are very convenient, but they do not provide the security of your secured home wireless network. Here are some tips for using them safely:
- Avoid using unsecured Wi -Fi for banking or shopping, for sending confidential
e‑mails or sharing any sensitive information. - Turn off automatic connection to available Wi-Fi hotspots. When you log into a network access point, make sure the name is
correct to avoid getting tricked into visiting a fake site. - Turn off file sharing and printer sharing on your computer.
- Turn on your firewall and run your anti-virus software regularly.
- If you need to access your home or work network, or are using free Wi-Fi regularly, considering using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Do not use the same password for every account. For more information on keeping your passwords secure, have a look at How Safe Are Your Passwords?
Further reading:
When Gadgets Betray Us: The Dark Side of our Infatuation with New Technologies by Rob Vamosi. Vamosi, a contributing editor to PC World magazine, writes regularly about computer security. In this book, he investigates security issues around new technologies such as GPS, smart electricity meters, embedded computer systems in cars, contactless payment
systems, mobile banking, online photo sharing, smart transit card systems and much more.
• eBook
• eAudiobook
2 thoughts on “Keeping Your Information Safe When You Are Out And About”
Thanks for the Well Done reminder that the new tech is good but you must be mindful that these tech devices do take a little extra effort to safeguard and protect yourself from the dark side, of hackers, data mining, identity thieves, and all sorts of bad doers out there.
All that is on the net is Not all goodness unfortunately. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse. They are always trying to get your info & you are trying to stop them It’s always a “Game On” Battle, so you have to stay in the game and do the best you can’to stay safe,guarded and protected
Thanks for the comment Paul. I agree, it is important to always be diligent when it comes to keeping your gadgets, computers and information safe when online.