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I've noticed recently that many people tend to forget that their privacy is threatened on public computers. Public computers are more vulnerable to threats & infections as many people tend to use the same machine, download, install software & share files through Mass Storage Devices.
All of this might threaten the user's security & privacy. For example, the machine could be infected with a keylogger that logs all key inputs & sends them to a person whom is interested about everything being typed, starting from documents to IM conversations & of course passwords. Trojans, Worms that might spread through your Mass Storage Device or through your contact list.
All of the previous is hard to predict, not until you are expert & using known Anti Virus Software.

But there are some simple steps that might keep you in the safe side at a certain level.

First example is IM identities & passwords. When you sign in, make sure that “Remember my password” box is unchecked.
When you sign out, be sure to click “Forget me” so your email address won't appear to other users.

Second example which might be so important at the moment, if you are using FireFox web browser, and if you log into any account & Firefox asks you if you want to remember the password, NEVER click “Remember”, either click “Not Now” or “Never For This Site”.

If you did save a password either by accident or wish to remove it, go to “Tools” then “Clear Private Data...” Be sure to check the “Saved Passwords” box.
WARNING: Stored passwords can be easily viewed by other users.
If your planning to leave the computer, check all the boxes to clear search results, visited webpages, cookies...etc

As for Microsoft IE “Internet Explorer”, Go to tools -> Internet options -> “Delete...” -> “Delete All...”

As for IM identities & other related passwords, in the same user you've logged in, go to Control Panel -> User Accounts

Then chose the account name your signed in. In the left side, click on “Manage my network passwords”

Check the box that appears, if your IM identity, network password or website password is there. Click it & click on “Remove”

Another good tip, if you are planing to check your email address on "Hotmail" for example, go to login page, Choose "Use enhanced security", this is a good practice to create a secure connection between you & the server before you send your password through the internet.

You can be sure the connection is secured through SSL by inspecting the URL bar, when you see the "Lock" sign & "https://" at the beginning of the address.

These where simple steps in an attempt to keep your emails, passwords, visited pages, searches & data private as possible.

There are some other methods for email removal from registry, which requires some skills & are not meant for an average computer user.

I hope these informations would be of a help to many of you,

Best regards...

Ahmad Hadeed
0x00FE - Xirex