Guest used my sister's Chromebook - Could we be vulnerable?

[Mary1387]

I just had a new, one-night-stay guest ask if they could borrow my laptop. I've been hosting for 5 years and this is the first time this happened. I didn't take time to think about it and offered my sister's Chromebook which has absolutely nothing important or personal on it. The guest used it for several minutes in her room.  

Later, it hit me. What did I just do? My initial thought was because my autistic sister only used it to play solitaire, why worry? Then it occurred to me that maybe having access to the Chromebook at all could make our network or my own personal laptop vulnerable in some other way. 

Should I be worried or am I just being paranoid? 

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Mary1387 

This is a valid concern, imho. I've heard too many stories about people "borrowing" devices for a moment - mostly phones, in public places - and quickly compromising them. I'd be cautious about anyone I did not know well and trust, using any of my devices. Our devices are more than what they used to be, they are our auxiliary brains.  They contain more information about us than they used to, and as you mentioned, they network. I'd suggest running antivirus and anti malware programs and even taking it to a service person who could examine it and advise you. That would set your mind at rest, which would be preferable to worrying. 

[Cathie19 · Accepted solution]

@Mary1387, you obviously had a blank moment to allow this and I’m so very sorry. 🌻

@Kitty-and-Creek0  is correct about concerns and running antivirus software. The request may have been innocent, but why take it to the bedroom? 

If someone needs to read something on the web, then you stand over their shoulder to ensure they don’t access anything else…

As a matter of urgency, I would be making TOTAL password changes for everyone on the network, to everything,  including router and Wifi, in case of any malicious future malicious activity. NOW…  If wallet, credit card details, social security and other IDs are also available to be seen or accessed within your network, then also change your cards or drivers licences.

Never lend a device as your banking, Wallet, emails etc are all accessible depending on your use. Even if you personally don’t use them, another member of your family who uses the network can. 

But-there are more tech savvy hosts out there who may offer you different advice. 💐

[Kitty-and-Creek0]

@Cathie19 @Mary1387 

Good advice from @Cathie19 

Definitely change all passwords, and at least monitor everything you can not protect or change. 

imho this guest could use their own phone or other device to access information, and asking to use yours is odd and suspicious to me. If your gut feeling says something is wrong, trust it, please. 

[Jenny]

Hi @Mary1387 

I'm really sorry to hear about this.

Did the advice from @Kitty-and-Creek0 and @Cathie19 help you decide how to handle the situation?

Take care,

Jenny