It is a question, really, that I am not sure of the answer. However, lately I have noticed, that many programs ” highly recommend ” that when you are finished using their program, that you either LOGOUT or SIGN OUT. Now, none of them really explain the reason for this, which also has me wondering.
Is there a reason?
If there is, why aren’t they sharing it with us? Now, I guess that makes me a paranoid bitch, but hey, I have spent a fair bit on my machines, invested a lot of time on my sites, so why is wordpress, gmail, and others suggesting I sign out after use?
My guess, and it is only a guess, is that it may have something to do with one’s own computer, and it being not quite so secure. I don’t quite understand but I suppose, if one has a virus, or some form of malware, it could exploit the opening you leave, by not logging out?
Now I am lazy, and admit it. I hate to have to do extra chores, like adding in a user/password combo each time I go to check mail, or check blog stats. Even the chore of simply clicking on the box, to bring up the login choices, is tedious and I feel, not necessary. OR IS IT?
Just what safe work habits should we be doing, and if we aren’t, is it because we are just creatures of comfort? Does logging out protect my sites, my computers, or is it simply a way for these program to protect themselves? I mean when you hear about how so many millions of computers are infected, you have to wonder, why isn’t mine.
I run a lot of security, and everytime I hear about new exploits, I worry. I run scans after scans, and find nothing, yet always worry that somehow I missed something, or that the program missed something. Why I got Kaspersky Suite last year, and is also why I dumped it too. It was too restrictive, and the number of false positives was just too much for me, but maybe they weren’t false?
Told you, there is no answer to this, though I have to admit. I do log out and sign out, more than not. Not sure if it makes a difference, but I do it anyhow.
Apr 13th by Malcontent