The importance of logging off

workaccount

Im always reading that its very important to log off from everything. I usually do this anyway but ive never fully understood its importance.

Is this just incase somebody else comes onto your computer five mins later and can now access your email because the session is still active or are there other ways of hi-jacking the session? Surely not with SSL anyway (online banking for example).

aidan_walsh

If you don't logoff your Windows account, you're leaving your computer open to anyone who walks by being able to do anything they like. They will be able to operate the computer as they like, and be shown on network activity monitors to be you. If you're dealing with files that have been set up so that only you can access them, they will be able to get at them and do what they like with them, etc.

If you don't log out of websites, you leave the door open for people to use your computer and use the website as you.

workaccount

Ok, I knew that that was an issue with other people jumping onto your machine as you.

I just wanted to know if someone else using your computer is the only issue.

themole

workaccount wrote:

I just wanted to know if someone else using your computer is the only issue.

Should be the only issue.
I never bother logging out of sites on my pc as i generally lock it.
But if using someone elses pc i will logout.

Spyral

use windows+L to lock the screen, its quicker than logging off and kinda more professional looking