Should I always log off instead of just close my browser?

depends is ur computer public? i mean do other ppl also use it? if they use it then logoff if u use it only.. then dont it will save u time happy lotting have have a nice day

If you are the only person who is using that specific laptop/computer than no. I don't log out at all (email,facebook,mylot etc.) just because I'm the only one who is using this machine. Only risk is that somebody else can check your (private) emails when you don't log out, nothing else.

Yes, it is always better to log out and then close the explorer browser, especially if you are using a public computer, say in an internet cafe or something. Even at home, if there are too many users its always advisable to log out and then close the browser. At least thats what I do. Let us be safe from our side at least.

I think that it's always important to log out of any particular site that you have logged into and then you can close the browser, this is the safest thing to do. I always do this myself. If you don't log out I always have the fear that someone somewhere will be able to access your account online. Andrew

If you're not using a public computer - or if you're not sharing your PC to anyone then you don't have to do that. I don't. Regarding security risk - it only is a risk if someone is able to log into your account without your permission so that's what you have to look out for :) Thanks for the comment on my discussion! Happy New Year!

if you're using a personal computer/laptop that isn't shared with anyone in your household, it should be okay to do this. but if in a public internet shops or you're sharing the pc with others, better to logout properly. there are some sites that doesn't logout your account automatically when you just simply close the browser. one example is friendster that when you simply close the browser, it doesn't logout automatically. i've encountered this many times already with some public computers. so it's better to be sure and safe that to put your account compromised by others.

I log out of public computers and most of the time I disconnect and put my good computer to sleep, though on occasion I will shut it down. My eMac I always shut down because of the low memory - it always need rebooting because it performs in jerks if I don't.

Hello NonaSaile, As for me, it will depend. If that is mylot, or other online earning opportunities, i would definitely just close the browser without logging out. But if that is an online payment processor account, then I would always logged out before closing the browser. Those sites I regularly used, I won't hit logout, until I am sure I am going to stop my online activities. Just like using yahoomail. I hate having to log-in every time I open yahoomail, so I just leave it open or close the browser without hitting logout. In the case of mylot, I never logged out unless it is needed. Just like when I have to clear my cookies, or I have to clear my cache.

Hi there! I always log off NonaSaile especially if I am opening some secure transactions in my browser. Why? I found this logical explanation from a site: Information about your data is stored in cookies and other files in the "Temporary Internet Files" folder (other locations as well) and will remain there until you change the "cache" information. The normal logic is to "log off" secure sites such as banking and online purchases, then close the browser session so that the data isn't easily retrieved from the browser's cache. Sometimes, to make sure (especially when I am in a public Internet), I would clear the cache or temporary internet files, though I never really check my account outside especially if it is banking transaction... I always clear my data on my PC as well...

I think logging out is very important from any site. If you do not log out it creates several safety concerns. Just in order to avoid the various security problems please log off yourself. It always helps the user and theus avoid the problems in future. So please log off without fail.

this may be dicided where you suf the net . if you are in a public place ,it is important to log off before you close the browser. however , if you are using your PC, and nobody else uses it , you could just close the browser rather than log off.

If you are using internet in some cafe or anybdys homw you must allways logout and close your browser because there is something called cookie in computer which stores your info after you have closed your computer and it is only removed if you log off.

This actually depends on the system of visited website. If they use session, then closing your browser is okay since session ID will be expired also after user quitting their browser (Quitting the page). For example, if you are visiting a secured website (https://....), usually you will be automatically logged out when you leave that page. But if they are using cookies stored on your computer, then there's a chance another user using the same computer will get logged on your page (ex: friendster.com). If you are using firefox, I would suggest you to clear private data everytime you close your browser. Choose Tools-Clear Private Data to do this. And yes, some people above me have correct statement about using private or public computer. I think there will be no problem of logging out if you are using private computer. But if you are using public computer, just make sure you don't tick "Remember me" and/or "Always logged on" box. I hope this can be helpful for you.