Have you ever wondered how safe it is to use computers in a public library, Internet café, or other public places?

It is very important to keep your personal information and financial information safe at all times, especially when using a public computer.

Here are some reminders for you:

Do not save your login information. Be sure to log out from the site when you are done rather than closing the browser window. This way, your personal and financial information will not be accessible. A lot of websites now have a “remember me” feature, which automatically saves your username and password. Make sure that you disable this option so no one can access your account.

Be wise when choosing your password. It is vey important to choose a password that is easy to remember but hard to guess because this will help protect your information. Also, do not give your password to anyone, unless necessary.
Never leave the computer unattended. If you have to do something or need to go somewhere, be sure to log out from all the websites you visited, if necessary.

Delete Temporary files and Internet history. When you are done using a shared or a public computer, be sure to do this to delete the history of all the sites you visited.

Here are simple steps on how to delete Internet history:

When using Internet Explorer:

1. Click Tools and then click Internet Options.
2. Under Temporary Internet Files, click Delete Files and then click Delete Cookies.
3. Click Clear History, under the History link

When using Firefox

1. Click Tools and then click Clear Private Data.
2. Check all the available options then click Clear Private Data Now.

When using Safari:

1. Click History from the main menu.
2. Then click Clear History.

Be very cautious of people looking at your screen. Before you enter your password, any personal or financial information, be on the lookout for people who are trying to glance at the computer screen to get your information.

Do not enter your financial information. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Never enter your credit card number or any sensitive information when using a public computer as hackers might gain access to it.

Other La Dolce Living Helpful Links:

• Seniors Online Community & Discussion Forum
• Senior Care Facility Search
• Senior Facility Registration

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