Sites that require registration often have a checkbox that the user can check so that they do not have to re-enter their username and password on subsequent visits. The text can say “remember me on this computer” or words to that effect. Whether or not it is safe to click this box depends on the type of website being read, what type of information is being shared, and whether people other than the one remembered are accessing the computer.
A login interface for an online account.
As long as the web browser is set to allow cookies, when a user chooses to be remembered, the website creates a cookie with the user’s registration information. A computer cookie is a small text file that resides on the user’s machine with a copy stored on the website’s server. The next time the user visits the website, the browser will automatically deliver the cookie upon arrival. The site allows automatic login because the web browser basically delivered the user’s credentials.
A laptop.
In many cases, this is fine. For example, if the site is a television chat forum, syndicated newspaper, or clip art site, there is probably no harm in it as long as the computer is not public. If the site contains personal information about the user, choosing “remember me on this computer” is probably a bad idea. People should never click this box if they are using a public computer, such as in a library or Internet cafe.
Online banking, web email accounts, and online retailers are examples of sites where computer users are unlikely to want automatic access. If someone uses the computer and visits the website (you will probably find it easily in your favorites), they will automatically log in to the owner’s account. This will give the person instant access to private information, possibly including bank records and other financial records.
Assuming everyone in the house is trustworthy, there are still reasons to avoid checking the box. If the computer needs to be returned for repair, stolen, or visitors ask to use it, everyone will have access to the accounts. This is especially true for work endpoints. Automatic login to sensitive websites can put the user at unnecessary risk.
For maximum protection, it’s best to reserve “remember me on this computer” for sites that don’t contain personal information. People who have trouble remembering login information may want to consider downloading a program designed to keep usernames and passwords in encrypted form. There are some free and open source programs available. Open source programs make their source code publicly available online so that it can be thoroughly checked for bugs and security holes.
A person writing.
