Traveling with Outlook Web Access

You can use Microsoft Office Outlook Web Access from any computer with a Web browser and an Internet connection. Internet cafés, libraries, and public access terminals such as Internet kiosks offer Internet access to patrons at little or no charge. However, because the computers that provide this service are always available to the public, you should take a few simple precautions to help protect your data and ensure your privacy.

As a general rule, use Outlook Web Access only from locations you trust.

Logging on

• Make sure no one watches you type your user name and password while you log on.
• Never select an option that allows you to save your password for later use. Even if you plan to use the same computer over the course of a few days, always type your password.

Opening messages and attachments

• Before you open a message, be sure it's from someone you trust and are expecting an e-mail message from.
• Open attachments only from people you know and trust.
• If you need to open an attachment, make sure that the computer is running virus protection software. If it isn't, find another computer, or don't open the attachment. Attachments are a common method for spreading computer viruses.
• Remove saved copies of any attachments you open. Attachments you open from a message are downloaded from your mailbox on the server and stored on the computer you're using. If you need to open an attachment you don't want anyone else to read:
1. Save the attachment to a folder or a location you can easily find, such as the desktop.
2. When you're finished with the attachment, close the program you used to view it.
3. Delete the attachment if you saved it, and then empty the recycle bin or trash.

When you're finished

• Clear the browser's cache. This is particularly important if you opened any attachments while you were working. For example, if you're using Microsoft Internet Explorer, select Internet Options from the Tools menu. In the Temporary Internet files section, click Delete Files. Close the Internet Options dialog box, and then refresh the browser.
• Log off from Outlook Web Access. Logging off helps prevent someone else from using the computer to access your mailbox.
• Make sure you can close the browser. If the computer won't allow you to close the browser by the usual means, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE (if you're using Microsoft Windows) and end the browser process from the Task Manager.
• Log off from the operating system.