08/09/07

DO NOT use Apple Store computers for email or any other personal accounts

by laki

Hundreds of people go into the Apple store playing with computers. Many of them login into their personal accounts: email, banking, etc. For a while I was aware of a browser logout issues. Many users just close the browser thinking that will log them out. It does not! When I open browser and go to Yahoomail, often someone will be logged in. I log them out. Once I saw that there was really important information in emails, judging by email titles, so before exiting I first sent user an email from her own account saying she should be careful with public computers, or something like that.

Today I logged into my Gmail using 'PRIVATE BROWSING' option, then LOGGED OUT, than CLOSED A BROWSER. I reopened it just to be sure, and to my great surprise, I WAS STILL LOGGED IN! I called a Senior Assistant Manager Joseph Adams, and explained my concern about the (lack of) security of my private information, and that it was still accessible to others. With a weird smile on his face (which seemed as if he knew what was going on with computers), Joseph Adams 'explained' me that after RESTARTING A COMPUTER (which they do every evening after all users leave the store), data will be erased. I was not happy with that answer, and started explaining that browsers should function well without the need to restart computer. Without that anyone can read private information of all people using Apple Store computers. Anyone can as well misuse that information. He restarted computer in front of me. As I was very upset with this problem, in a slightly louder voice I was insisting that something has to be done about this. He threatened to call police and said I need to leave the store.

I called police telling them that Apple Store employees are manipulating computers so that users cannot log out, and that security of private information is violated. They answered me that until someone uses that information to steal money or do some other criminal act, they cannot do anything about it!?!?

• Pros: nice store, nice sales people
• Cons: manager extremely bad, don't care about users private information

11/03/05

User review by super_versatile

by super_versatile

i've never felt so welcomed in a store! the sales associates are friendly and knowledgeable about the products they sell.

• Pros: friendly staff, product display