Bob the Cyber-Guy’s Cyber Safety Tip #125

“Auto-Save Can Betray You”

Auto-save feels like a lifesaver.
In some cases, it’s a liability.

🚨 What’s the hidden risk?

Modern browsers, apps, and phones love to auto-save:

• Addresses

• Credit card numbers

• Email logins

• Form entries

• Search history

That’s convenient — until:

• Someone else uses your device

• You share your screen on Zoom

• A scam site auto-fills your info

• Malware reads stored form data

Auto-save doesn’t ask who is using the device.
It just fills.

⚠️ Common assumptions that cause trouble

• “It’s my computer — no one else touches it”

• “I didn’t click submit, so it’s safe”

• “Auto-fill only works on trusted sites”

Scammers design fake pages specifically to trigger auto-fill.

✅ Simple protection steps

• Turn off auto-save for payment info

• Use auto-fill only on trusted, frequently used sites

• Clear saved form data periodically

• Lock your screen whenever you step away

• Never rely on auto-fill on public or shared devices

 🧠 Cyber-Bob’s rule of thumb

If a computer remembers for you, make sure it doesn’t remember too much.

Convenience should save time — not give away your identity.

 (I created the prompt, ChatGPT created the information.)