| Personal computers are widespread and shared | | | | or malware, these programs will quickly obtain |
| computers are a popular means for internet | | | | your password and logon id combination because |
| access. These "public" computers exist in libraries, | | | | spyware and malware record every key stroke |
| colleges, coffee house cyber cafes, and other | | | | made on the infected computer. To avoid this |
| places. They are popular because they offer | | | | problem, change passwords frequently using a |
| quick, convenient access to the world wide web. | | | | non- shared pc. |
| Unfortunately, they are also very popular with | | | | Erase the Contents of the Browser's Cache: |
| identity thieves because they present an easy | | | | Personal computers contain copies of all the web |
| means to access the personal information of | | | | sites visited. This cache needs to be cleared, if |
| others. Just recently, a young twenty- two year | | | | possible, after using a shared computer. Some |
| old former Drexel University student pleaded | | | | libraries, colleges, and other places do not permit |
| guilty to identity theft and she openly admitted | | | | individual access to this area, but it doesn't hurt to |
| stealing more than $116,000 worth of money | | | | check upon logging off, just to see if it is possible. |
| through various schemes. | | | | Don't Sign Into a Shared Computer and Walk |
| Credit cards, banks, and even online sites that are | | | | Away: |
| not used to transact business still contain personal | | | | This sounds simple enough, but the temptation to |
| data that needs to be protected and this problem | | | | logon to a shared computer at a library, school, |
| is compounded further with shared computers. | | | | hotel, or cyber café and walk away for a |
| Are there ways to protect against this type of | | | | quick break or other purpose is always present, |
| theft when using a shared computer? Let's take a | | | | after all that double expresso may be calling to |
| look: | | | | you. Giving into this temptation might satisfy a |
| Protecting Your Identity: | | | | hunger pang or the urge for a drink, but while |
| Shared computers are common in many places, | | | | away from the computer, an identity thief could |
| like libraries, schools, hotels, coffee house cyber | | | | quickly walk over to the abandoned pc and |
| cafes, etc. Remembering these simple precautions | | | | access whatever personal information is exposed |
| can help keep your personal information your | | | | in front of him/her. To be completely safe, get |
| own: | | | | into the habit of logging off immediately before |
| Never select the "Remember My ID" box: | | | | taking a break when you use a shared computer. |
| Many web sites offer the option to remember | | | | Even a short break of a few minutes is enough |
| your personal id on that particular computer. This | | | | time for a determined thief to obtain personal |
| offers added convenience, but this option should | | | | information. |
| never be selected on a shared computer. If an ID | | | | Avoid Transactions That Involve Secure Financial |
| is remembered, it will be stored on the shared | | | | Data |
| computer and will likely remain logged into the | | | | Shared computers should always be avoided |
| web site, offering a thief easy access your | | | | when logging into web sites that contain any type |
| personal data. | | | | of personal financial data. This includes sites used |
| Never Save Passwords: | | | | for banking, purchases, and other sites that |
| Similar to the option to "remember my id", many | | | | contain secured data stored in the site. Web sites |
| web sites offer to save your password. This | | | | like blogs do not usually contain the sensitive |
| option is usually presented when you logon and it | | | | information that an identity thief wants and are |
| is intended as a convenience measure. With | | | | thus less important. However, a site like a bank, |
| shared computers, however, passwords should | | | | brokerage service, or online store contains |
| never be saved. If an identity thief logs onto a | | | | extensive amounts of personal information |
| site with a saved password, there is no doubt | | | | including access to financial data. You don't ever |
| what will happen next. The thief will already have | | | | want to compromise something as important as |
| your password and will logon immediately to seek | | | | your money. |
| your personal information. | | | | Shared computers are popular and they can be |
| Don't Forget to Sign Out Completely: | | | | found in libraries, schools, hotels, and other places. |
| Signing out is as important as not selecting the | | | | They offer convenience, and this is the primary |
| options to remember your personal ID and | | | | reason for their popularity. However, with this |
| password. You should always remember to sign | | | | added convenience comes the added chance for |
| out of all web sites. If you remain signed in, your | | | | identity theft. A single shared computer can easily |
| account will be openly accessible to identity | | | | be accessed by hundreds of people each day, |
| thieves. It's like placing your logon id and password | | | | making it critical that individuals take the |
| on a silver platter and turning over to an identity | | | | necessary precautions to prevent theft of |
| thief. | | | | personal information. Taking some simple steps |
| Begin the Habit of Changing Passwords Frequently: | | | | like the ones listed above can help prevent |
| Changing passwords is a good idea whether a | | | | identity theft before it begins. These steps won't |
| computer is shared or not, but it is especially | | | | prevent one- hundred percent of the instances of |
| important on a shared computer for two | | | | identity theft, but they will greatly reduce the |
| important reasons: spyware and malware. If a | | | | chances for falling victim to this type of online |
| shared computer becomes infected by spyware | | | | crime. |