Many of us are constantly distracted when we are working on a computer. Many of those distractions can also pull us away from computers or work spaces. This can raise some concerns especially since our since systems can no auto log us into our Office 365 accounts and other systems if not properly logged out. We can see some of the below issues.

If a computer is logged in:

  • Anyone can open your Chrome browser and log into your Office 365 account without a password.
  • Your Outlook email could be exposed.
  • Your OneDrive files could be exposed.
  • Working documents can be exposed when Word, PowerPoint, or Excel were used to create or edit them.

Below are some best practices to protect yourself. Students should also follow these habits to protect their information from others that can be tempted to utilize their accounts for non-authorized use.

  • Sign out of everything, especially when using a computer you don’t frequently use or one that others use frequently. Sign out of Office 365, ClassLink, Canvas, and even the computer itself to ensure any open sessions have been closed
  • Restart the computer. This is also healthy for the computer as well, especially as it receives updates over time.
  • Lock the computer. If you’re on a computer you use frequently, you can lock your computer by using the below shortcuts.Lock Shortcut and Ctrl Alt DeleteThis does not log you out or put your computer to sleep. This is a great option if you have to step away from your computer for a few minutes. You can come back, unlock the computer, and pick up right where you left off without any delays.
  • Check for the clock lock screen as seen in the title of this article or even the login screen.

Looking out for these issues and perform these practices to help keep your information safe and secure.