Closing browser vs closing tab

[rockhillmanor]

Does switching to a new 'tab' and closing the previous tab offer the same security as 'closing your browser'?

[1492]

Quite frankly, I wouldn't even access email on a public or business center computer. There are just too many ways to capture keystrokes without you having a clue that its happening.

[2oldman]

strollin wrote:
.. but who accesses their bank account from a public computer anyway?

Nobody would admit it, not on here.

[AllegroD]

Usually not. Depends on your browser settings. Closing a tab does not clear your cache or delete cookies and closing the browser only clears the cache and deletes cookies, if you have it set to.

[strollin]

Not sure it matters if you're on your own private computer. If on a public computer it could make it so someone that sat down after you could access your account but who accesses their bank account from a public computer anyway?

[2oldman]

rockhillmanor wrote:
To be safe, and the banks even suggest it, you should close your browser after each session for security of your info.

..in addition to logging off.

[1492]

If you want to see how insecure closing a browser tab can be, the next time you're logged into your bank or financial account, close the tab "without" logging out. Then hold down CTRL+SHFT+T keys, and see if you're still logged into your account?

Do the same this time by closing the browser?

[sherlock62]

Some browsers temporarily store secure pages in your computer's memory. These pages can possibly be exploited. To prevent this from happening you MUST close your open browser after you have logged off of online banking.

Disregard the comment in an earlier post.... "A secure encrypted connection is about as secure as you're going to get."


Reality is, secured or not, you must/should close the browser immediately after logging off of your bank website for the reasons mentioned in the first paragraph.

[2oldman]

rockhillmanor wrote:
..just wondered if I could open a new tab close the old one and it would offer the same security of no one getting access, which now I know it's not!

You mean 'no one' around you with physical access to your computer?

A secure encrypted connection is about as secure as you're going to get.

[rockhillmanor]

2oldman wrote:
I'm not sure what 'kind' of security OP is referring to.

To be safe, and the banks even suggest it, you should close your browser after each session for security of your info.

I just wondered if closing the just the tab gave you the same security.

Seeing as I am still having firefox hang when I close it and then I loose my internet connection, so I just wondered if I could open a new tab close the old one and it would offer the same security of no one getting access, which now I know it's not!

[sch911]

The latest version of Chrome (not yet in release) will force "In Private" mode when any HTTPS (secure) site is navigated to. This will make a huge improvement for most of us.

[2oldman]

I'm not sure what 'kind' of security OP is referring to.

[fj12ryder]

Hopefully you're not doing your banking on a public computer. 🙂

[haydoracin]

When online banking I always go to "In Private" browsing. Don't know how much safer it is but the computer doesn't remember passwords etc.

[rockhillmanor]

Ok then. Thanks I was doing that when banking. Won't be doing that anymore!:B

Thanks for your help.