Have you ever tried using a public PC? Some of you might probably answer in the negative. Indeed, going to Internet cafés to surf the Web is starting to become unfashionable these days as portable computers continue to get cheaper.

But don’t expect net café’s to totally disappear soon. No matter how small PCs get, you won’t always find it convenient to carry it around with you. So there will definitely come a time when you’ll be forced to use a computer that’s not yours.

Using a public PC can be dangerous, so you’d better limit the things that you’ll do whenever you’re using one. Public computers are notorious for being a melting pot of viruses, just as public toilets are. Hundreds of people have already used it, so there’s a big chance that one of them might have introduced a worm in the system maliciously or inadvertently.

One of the things that you shouldn’t do when you’re using a computer that’s not yours is to engage in e-commerce. Whenever you buy things on the Internet, sensitive financial data will be asked of you, such as your credit card number. Many worms are embedded in public PCs that capture keystrokes, especially those that are keyed in on online stores. Unless you would want to give a virtual supplemental card to hackers, don’t conduct financial transactions on a PC that other people also use.

You should also think twice in accessing your e-mail or other accounts on a public computer. Again, malware that are designed to capture passwords are often injected into public PCs. Try to limit the things that you do in a public computer. Checking the latest NFL or NBA results is harmless. But checking your bank account balance on a net café can be suicidal.

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While everybody’s worrying about spyware and viruses lurking around in cyberspace, many are overlooking or taking for granted another predator, one that’s more tangible.

Let’s face it, all the antivirus and anti-spyware programs on earth could never protect you from a colleague or a family member who tiptoes into your table and uses your PC for a few minutes. Those few minutes might seem inconsequential and harmless, but then again, it only takes one click and a few seconds for a malware that’s resting on an infected Web site or downloaded file to wreak everything inside your hard drive.

Always protect your computer from unauthorized users by activating and creating a password in your BIOS and OS. There are other programs that also offer gate-keeping services that you might want to consider. Passwords may not protect you from malicious programs, but it can certainly prevent malicious users from introducing unwanted programs into your PC.

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