Should You Stay Logged In? Pros and Cons
The question of logging out versus staying signed in occasionally comes up in conversion. I've worked with people who find it more convenient to keep things open and running. It's usually super busy multi-taskers with twenty windows open all at once.
They're the ones who use several apps, documents, spreadsheets, browser windows, and other things open -- switching window or screens on a regular basis.
I've also known those who follow the 'stay signed in' rule. That's the idea of never turning your computer off. These people focus on ease of use and a kind of hardware consistency. They think it makes the machine more efficient because of less system resource changes, memory allocation, software glitches, general performance, or even battery drag.
Occasionally people ask me something similar. Is it okay to leave the computer on at all times? I tell them that leaving it on won't cause damage, since computers are designed to be switched on and off regularly.
Some say that leaving it on can contribute to some undue wear and tear on system components. However, it's possible to leave it on for days without shutting it down. I tell folks to just make sure the PC is well ventilated and not susceptible to overheating because of spatial crowding; meaning you should position your computer so it allows for better fan cooling and overall airflow. Here's a tip--If you have a laptop, use a stand or cradle that keeps your computer elevated. Especially the bottom panel. It’s best to keep system heat low while working.
What about those who work from home?
Everyone working from a personal or home office is usually interested in ways to stop their computer from sleeping, or randomly turning itself off. They choose to keep their PC awake for various reasons. Different things work for different scenarios.
But should you stay logged in? This should only be done on devices that only you have access to. As a rule thumb, leaving your account signed in on a public device or one that you don’t trust can put your information at risk.
If you are using a device you don’t trust (most likely because it’s not yours), you should ensure the 'Keep me signed in' checkbox or option is not selected. Uncheck the setting if you have no use for it.
This is because using a browser in regular (non-incognito) mode leaves behind a great deal of personal information, including information that could be used to access your online accounts.
Information normally stored by your browser includes:
Websites visited
Permissions you have given to websites
Passwords used
Information entered into forms
Cookies and site data (such as files and other data stored in your browser’s web storage -- also known as the browser cache)
Index files used for search functions within content (potentially—check your browser and operating system for specifics)
Private Browsing Mode
At this point, all modern browsers offer a Private Browsing mode (also known as Incognito Mode in Google Chrome and Private Browsing in Firefox). When using a private mode, none of the information listed above is stored by your browser. Some data is stored in your device’s temporary memory (RAM). It’s deleted when you close the private browsing tab or window.
Private Browsing/Incognito mode also stops tabs, bookmarks, and browsing history from being synced across multiple browsers that are signed in to the same Google, Firefox, or other browser account.
It should be noted that using Private Browsing mode when you sign in to your online mail accounts is a recommended best practice, particularly while working on a non-trusted device
Private Browsing Mode Does Not Cover
Your browser’s Private Browsing mode protects your sensitive data from others who have physical access to your device (or devices signed in to the same browser account).
It does not prevent your internet service provider from seeing what you do online. Nor does it prevent websites from knowing your device’s unique internet protocol (IP) address.
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