Ways to keep emails private when you're away from the PC

If you don't want your emails accessible whenever you are signed in, there are a few options.

Lock the machine or sign out when it is not being used. If you lock the machine, everything on the desktop will remain where it is until you sign back in. If you log out, everything on the desktop gets closed; when you sign back in, you will have to open your programs again. To lock or log out of the machine, click Start, then click your account icon, then select Lock or Sign out.

Enable a screensaver with password protection. If you frequently get up from the computer and lock- ing / logging out is too bothersome, you can set a screensaver with password protection to automatically lock the system after a certain period of inactivity. When this option is enabled, the screensaver kicks in; when the mouse or keyboard is activated, the user is asked to sign in to continue.

To do so: click Start, then click the Settings icon ( cogwheel). A new window will appear; click the "Personalization" link, then on the left, click "Lock Screen". Under the heading "Lock Screen" choose "Screen saver settings". A new window will appear; under the "Screen Saver" heading, there is a pull down menu - choose "Blank", then tick the box that says "On resume, display login screen" and set the "Wait" for 15 minutes.

If you use a web browser to access your emails, ensure that it is not set to "remember me". To do so: go to your web browser email, then click your account icon (usually) and choose the option to sign out. Once you are signed out, click the option to sign in again. On the sign in page (where it asks for your email account and password), make sure you un-tick the option to "remember me". When "remember me" is not enabled, no one can access your emails on your computer if you are not there. If this feature is enabled, emails are always open. That said, you should still set Option #1 or #2 above to keep prying eyes out when you're away from the terminal.