Computer privacy question - being logged into two sites at the same time

[NikitaZee]

I have a question about computer privacy - I've been doing Christmas shopping online and I sometimes am logged into different sites at once. For instance, if I have Facebook open in one window, then I go into Bank of America, or Amazon to make a purchase - is any of my secure information compromised? I know a little bit about how cookies work - for instance I ordered something from American Girl store and when I flipped over to fb there was an American Girl ad on my newsfeed. But - if the information as to where I've been browsing is being shared - could other things be as well? It seems I always have more than one window open, and I'm wondering if I need to change my browsing habits.

 

[FireDancer]

The short answer is yes, there is a slim chance that being logged into two different websites at the same time can leak information. It is almost always the result of a bug in the browser code or the way the site itself handles secure cookies or the ssl connection.

It isn't common and if it is effecting a large site like Amazon or Facebook it is almost always discovered and patched and reported on. I am often logged into multiple sites all in the same browser and am not worried about it and I'm one of the most security conscious web users you'll probably come across.

 

[NikitaZee]

Thanks for that response - I feel better about it now, especially with all the shopping I've been doing lately.

 

[Planogirl]

Right now I have four pages open! I know things can happen even if it's unlikely but I don't worry about it.

 

[sam_gordon]

I have a question about computer privacy - I've been doing Christmas shopping online and I sometimes am logged into different sites at once. For instance, if I have Facebook open in one window, then I go into Bank of America, or Amazon to make a purchase - is any of my secure information compromised? I know a little bit about how cookies work - for instance I ordered something from American Girl store and when I flipped over to fb there was an American Girl ad on my newsfeed. But - if the information as to where I've been browsing is being shared - could other things be as well? It seems I always have more than one window open, and I'm wondering if I need to change my browsing habits.

Find out how to use 'tabbed browsing'. All current browsers support it. One window... multiple tabs. This has nothing to do with security, but IMO, a much better way to operate.

 

[Maria1985]

I have the same problem!!!!I will never forget it．