Hi everyone -

Just returned home from a holiday in Skiathos - and discovered this morning someone else has managed to post here in MY name!

So a question for computer experts: HOW did that happen?

I used an internet cafe several times in Skiathos. It seems some Greek local followed me on the terminal last Friday - and accessed what I was doing.

What's thrown me is that he was able to post on a couple of threads (- re Greek islands) using my name.

These are the threads he posted on:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...me=Steve_James

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...me=Steve_James

But HOW was he able to log on with my name and password??

Thanks to anyone who's able to help.

Steve

Did you click on "Log Out" when you had finished on the Fodor's website?

If not, and you hadn't cleared the history and cookies then the person after to use the same computer could have seen what sites you were on and if he went on a particular site (eg Fodor's), it would remember you if you hadn't logged out.

He probably didn't even realise he needed to be logged in, or that the computer thought he was still you.

Remember, computers are not clever and cannot think for you.

Hi Steve,
There can be only 2 explanations for this situation arrising.

1. You didn't log out of Fodor's and the computer you were using correctly.

2. You were suffering from amnesia brought on by an excess of Ouzo.

;-)

Is that the only post that was written to in your name?

Let's hope the invader has finished.


Muck

I'm for the Ouzo explanation.

I hope that is your only account he accessed. If when you logged on to Fodor's (and every other website you visited - bank, email, etc.) , you didn't uncheck the little box that says remember me to this computer, then he can access your scree name. Also, if you didn't completely log out when you got off the computer, the next person can hit the back button/browser and pull up the last page you were on.

If you didn't log out, and if the computer was not set to remove any record of passwords and sites visited by the previous user, the next person to get onto Fodors would've been logged in under your screen name. Fodors may have been showing up on the recent history list, too, so even if the next user had never heard of it, s/he may have visited Fodors out of curiosity and then just posted the way we used to post before registration.

I occasionally use the computer at the State Library a few blocks from my office, and before I bought computer I used to use the one at the public library in my town. The local public library has its computers adjusted so that all passwords, cookies and websites visited are wiped out when one useer leaves (or when the user's time has expired). But the State Library's computer doesn't do that. Several times I've found that someone else was still logged into Yahoo mail. Once I think I went on Fodors and found I was already logged in under someone else's screenname (one I'd never seen before).

Hi SJ,

Whenever I use a public access computer, I log out from where I am.

I then use "Tools/Internet Options/Clear History" and

then "Tools/Internet Options/Delete Cookies",

and then "Tools/Internet Options/Delete Files".

That way, the computer has no easily accessed record of me or where I have been.

You were suffering from amnesia brought on by an excess of Ouzo.

Mucky, thanks for my Sunday LOL

ira, I do that at work every day to hide the fact that I sometimes post during working hours....

At least he tried to give good advice and didn't say anything to besmirch your good name here!

I also doubt he realized he was posting as someone else.

Could I see some ID, please? How do I know you're the real Steve James? :-?

This happened to me when I used a hotel computer in Chiang Mai Thailand to post on the Fodors board. I hadn't signed out and it turned out another "Fodorite" was staying at the same hotel. He signed onto Fodors, posted a message and didn't notice that it was under my name. When I checked Fodors the next day, I was suprised to see "my" posting! He and I both figured it out later on. There was no harm meant, it was my own carelessness that caused it by not signing out. And it was an affirmation that it is indeed a small world!

Margy

Thanks folks. I'll be more careful next time ... especially when I'm excessing on ouzo

So ... are computers like elephants?

If so, I must have computers all over Italy who remember me

Steve

Keep in mind that if a computer has a keylogger program installed, either by design or accident, all of your passwords that you use on that computer can be accessed by anyone who has access to the keylog.

For example, if you go to an Internet cafe with a keylogger program, it doesn't matter if you clear all your cookies and history, as the keylog still has everything. I've read that this sort of thing is highly probable in many countries in South America.

Or, if you inadvertently download a Trojan on your home computer by carelessly opening a bad email or through some other means, a keylogger can be installed there too.

Of course the more common problem is simply not clearing one's cookies and history, so Ira's advice is very good.

Steve_James, I'm glad the worst that seems to have happened is that a lover of Skiathos posted in your name!

Actually, Steve..the worst thing that could happen would be if s/he came back and posted that driving with your lights on even in SUNNY countries is probably a good idea!

Interesting question...because I've seen a couple of posts here by a <font color="blue">jagirl</font> that wasn't me. I've never used a public computer when logging on to Fodors and no one else has access to my computer.
Go figure :-\

If you have a lower case L (ie &quot;l&quot in your screen-name then when this is typed this looks exactly like an upper case i (ie &quot;I&quot; again).

Therefore, two different screen-names can be registered and they end up looking exactly the same on screen. However, this would been to be done on purpose in your case (since part of your name is &quot;girl&quot and my case (as in &quot;travel&quot.

Apologies, I've just noticed that your name is all in caps. Do you mean you have seen it in lower-case letters?

Ira's idea is good,and should be attempted. Keep in mind that in these places, cafes and public computers the cookies might have so many in there it could take a long time to delete all these files. Also key loggers are very common in these place.

I would never take that chance, its takes minutes to install a chat logger which is almost impossible to find, even with spyware programs.

So the best bet as Ira will disagree which I have posted before bring your own laptop.