Sometimes we just have to use a public computer, whether it is in school, the library, coffee shops, airports, or wherever. This does not mean our online safety be jeopardized. Here are 10 tips on using a public computer safely. Bottom line is do not enter anything sensitive on a public computer.
The things you do not know…
I created a payments web page describing different payment methods my company will take. Innocuous enough, I though…until it was discovered to be a possible phishing site. The IE browser comes with an optional phishing filter which analyzes a sight for suspicious behavior and reported as such. (Personally, I think another reason the phish filter provides is tracking your surfing habits - that is why I have mine off). A colleague had the filter on and found out the web page was suspicious.
In order to remove suspicion a small form had to be filled out and reported to Microsoft: name, address, company name, and a few other pieces of personal information. Within 24 hours the phishing suspicion would be removed. This bothered me even though the information is readily available on the site. If it was not removed clients having the phishing filter on would be inclined not to do business with a suspicious site.
Check your site with a phishing filter turned on - you may be surprised at the results.
Doug
We are fans of McAfee’s SiteAdvisor program. It gives a good indication whether a website is trustworthy or not. Or if it generates spammy downloads or worse. The SiteAdvisor plugin works fine on Firefox but is a problem with Internet Explorer 7. Installing it generated a C++ runtime error. Searching the McAfee website for a solution resulted in nothing. The download from CNET generated the same error.
Doug
