Quizzes & Puzzles2 mins ago
USB Keys
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If you download data onto a USB key and then put it into another computer to access the information installed on it, does it leave any data on that second machine please? For instance, if I have my banking details on the key, can that information be accessed by a subsequent user of that computer after I have removed the key?
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I think you'll find the answer is yes .... but only if you open the file(s) (unless the machine is specially set up to steal info)
if (for instance) you open a word document - the PC holds the document details in memory
word creates a recovery file on disc - but also uses memory as temporary storage
if you work on the file - it will be written again to the HDD
memory
1 will then only be cleared if the space is needed so it's in there (until the machine is rebooted)
2 if memory is in short supply - it will use the pagefile as "virtual" memory instead of "real" memory.... so the info ends up on the disk (again) - and could linger for ages
It's a fact that internet cafe users should bear in mind
(and some do - generally the ones after the info)
if the machine is set up for drive write cacheing - the cache information will also end up on disc - and again if you copy and paste info.
so the answer is yes - possibly many times - BUT - it's not that easy to access - you'd have to know how - and the circumstances would have to be right - but it's very much possible.
if (for instance) you open a word document - the PC holds the document details in memory
word creates a recovery file on disc - but also uses memory as temporary storage
if you work on the file - it will be written again to the HDD
memory
1 will then only be cleared if the space is needed so it's in there (until the machine is rebooted)
2 if memory is in short supply - it will use the pagefile as "virtual" memory instead of "real" memory.... so the info ends up on the disk (again) - and could linger for ages
It's a fact that internet cafe users should bear in mind
(and some do - generally the ones after the info)
if the machine is set up for drive write cacheing - the cache information will also end up on disc - and again if you copy and paste info.
so the answer is yes - possibly many times - BUT - it's not that easy to access - you'd have to know how - and the circumstances would have to be right - but it's very much possible.
Thanks AC although you have told me what I didn't want to hear, I had a feeling it might be the case and that's why I asked the question. If you are correct, It would therefore be foolish to access a bank account on anything other than your own PC. I think I will err on the side of caution. Pity that, it makes USB keys rather suspect security wise..
I didn't mention the biggest risk - loosing the key ...
you might want to look at
http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads.php
it won't stop it ... but it's another hinderance
I have just one machine used for home banking - no e-mail or general purpose surfing....
somtimes it's unavoidable - the best you can be is careful.
I'd do it from a customer's landline machine - I'm wary of using WiFi
but I'd never do it from an internet cafe .... and never ever from a public wifi hotspot.
you might want to look at
http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads.php
it won't stop it ... but it's another hinderance
I have just one machine used for home banking - no e-mail or general purpose surfing....
somtimes it's unavoidable - the best you can be is careful.
I'd do it from a customer's landline machine - I'm wary of using WiFi
but I'd never do it from an internet cafe .... and never ever from a public wifi hotspot.