If you’re retrieving your personal email on a public computer -- such as on a PC at an airport lounge or in a cybercafe -- you need to take a few precautions to reduce the likelihood that someone will read what you wrote. Unfortunately, you can never fully prevent these risks, since there are no guarantees your data is 100-percent safe. This is also the case when using your own computer at a Wi-Fi hotspot.

That being said, you should consider these tips before checking your email on a public computer:

• Always click to “log out” of the site you’re on, whether you’re reading Web mail at a site like Gmail or browsing a social network such as Facebook. Don’t just click the “X” to close the browser window, because this doesn’t necessarily log you out.
• When you log in, be sure not to select options like “Remember my password” or “Save my login information.” To double-check that your info hasn’t been remembered by the computer, open the site again when you’re done. It should prompt you to log in from scratch.
• Some browsers offer “private browsing,” which means they don’t leave any trace of your surfing history, cookies, passwords or other temporary Internet files. Look for this feature in the “Settings” or “Options” menu of the browser you’re using.
• Need to get up for a second? Never leave the computer unattended with sensitive info on the screen. If you must leave the PC, log out of your mail account before you get up, even if it’s just for a minute.
• Because a cybercriminal could install keylogging software -- which secretly records keystrokes -- on public computers, it’s a good idea not to type any sensitive information on a public computer, such as a credit card number or corporate password.