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Staying Private on Shared and Public Computers

Library and hotel‑lobby PCs are risky. Here's how to protect yourself.

Public computers — libraries, hotel lobbies, internet cafés — are convenient but risky.

The risks

How to reduce risk

Reality check

A VPN secures your connection, but it can't protect you from spyware on a computer you don't control. Prefer your own device.

FAQ

Q: Does a VPN protect me on a public computer? A: It protects your connection on your own device. It can't fix malware on a shared PC. Q: What's safest? A: Use your own phone or laptop with a VPN rather than a public computer.