How 2...Protect your passwords on a public computer

Etan Horowitz | Sentinel Staff Writer

December 15, 2007

Checking your e-mail or doing online banking on a computer in a hotel, library or other public location is convenient, but you want to be sure you aren't making it easy for someone to steal your passwords.

1. Check if the computer has an anti-virus program installed and if it does, have it scan the computer before you use it.

2. Go to your e-mail provider or online banking Web site.

3. Type your user name or ID into the designated field.

4. Go to the password field and type in the first character of your password. Then go to the URL field at the top of the page or another text input field on that Web page and type some random characters. Repeat this after typing each character of your password.

5. Once you've finished typing your password, make sure not to select any option that remembers your user name or password. Submit your password and decline any options to remember or save your information.

The idea of typing random characters after each letter of your password comes from Carnegie Mellon University and although there still may be ways for a thief to steal your passwords, it does a good job keeping you safe from "keylogging" programs that record keystrokes on public computers.