Paranoia is the best way to protect yourself from shoulder surfers

What exactly is 'shoulder surfing'? I have heard the term and I think it has something to do with looking over somebody's shoulder while they are using a computer.

Is there any way to stop this? I have heard there is a type of screen available that blocks what others can see. Who makes these, what are they called and are they any good?

Name and address supplied

Shoulder surfing usually refers to the act of surreptitiously watching what people type into a computer or ATM.

On my first trip to San Francisco 11 years ago I nearly got into a fight because I inadvertently jumped an ATM queue. There was a woman using the machine and I went and stood right behind her, just as I would have done in Hong Kong. I didn't notice a man hovering about three metres behind her until he told me to get into the queue. I then realised that Americans expect people to stand away at ATMs to prevent shoulder surfing.

There seems to be little more one can do to prevent ATM shoulder surfing - in Hong Kong or anywhere else - apart from being suspicious and observant.

When using a computer it is probably not a good idea to enter sensitive data if there is a chance that someone could observe your keystrokes. Make sure there is no one behind you or on either side. As always with matters of security, the more paranoid you are the safer you will be.