What is the difference between Public and Private workstations?

On the login page for webmail you are offered a choice between a ``Public'' and a ``Private'' workstation. If you select ``Public'' (the default) the Webmail session will time out after 30 minutes of inactivity. If you select ``Private'' the Webmail session will time out after 4 hours of inactivity. That is the only difference.

Webmail uses the honor system to determine workstation type. If you select ``Private'' in a public lab, and then walk away without logging out of Webmail, the session will remain active for 4 hours. Likewise, if you forget to select ``Private'' when logging in at home, or in your office, Webmail will not know you are at home or in your office and close the session after 30 minutes of inactivity.

Last modified: January 31, 2006