If you are using a public computer, it is best not to perform sensitive activities, such as online banking or purchases. The risks of using public computers for these types of transactions include password theft.
* Spyware. A type of software installed to monitor activities is called a spyware. Company computers and public computers are usually installed with spyware. Some companies claim that the presence of spyware can help keep personal activities involving company time and resources limited. Depending on the type of spyware, activities such as website visits, and key logs are generated. As the key logs are kept and recorded, your user id and password can easily be retrieved. As much as possible, perform sensitive activities in your own computer at home, or through your laptop. If situations arise wherein you need to do on-line purchase or banking, make sure you take necessary precautions.
* Trend Micro tool. Trend Micro is a Japanese company that provides security tools such as anti-virus software and network solutions. Trend Micro provides free software that protects your passwords when using an unsecured computer. Download the Trend Micro Transaction Guard for free from the company’s website. This download is free of charge and will only take a few minutes as long as you are running on a smooth Internet connection. Transaction Guard will work finely on computers that are running on Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP or Windows 2000. Take note that in order to run the Transaction Guard on older Windows such as XP and 2000, you need to install at least Service Pack 2 on XP and Service Pack 4 on 2000 version.
* Key components. There are two main components in the free Transaction Guard. The first one is the Spyware Monitor. This component keeps an eye on any spyware and virus attacks. The second important component of Transaction Guard is the Password ClipBoard. This component allows you to enter sensitive data without worrying about theft.
* Transaction Guard. Before you key in important and sensitive data such as user name, passwords and credit card number, make sure that the Transaction Guard is available on the computer. You can see that it is running smoothly base on the icon on your program tray. Launch Transaction Guard by clicking on the icon. Open the website where you need to input your personal details. At the same time, choose the ‘Password Clipboard’ among the choices on the Transaction Guard menu. A virtual keyboard will appear on your screen. There are two fields that are available on your screen. Input your password on the first available field. Use the mouse to point the cursor on the keys that you need to enter. Do not use the keyboard that you normally use. Do the same cursor pointing as you re-type your password on the second field. Shift to the website that needs your password. Use the function 9 key found on the upper portion of your physical keyboard, follow this up by clicking ‘Paste’. These steps will automatically key-in your password without requiring you to use the physical keyboard. You can also use this function when keying in credit card numbers and other important information.
Keep your password safe at all times. Credit card theft is rampant due to unsecure access in public computers.
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