Sign in on a device that's not yours

When you might need to use someone else's device

Sometimes you need to sign in to your LuxID Account on a device that is not your own, such as:

• A public computer at a library, hotel, or internet cafe
• A friend's or family member's phone, tablet, or laptop
• A shared workstation at an office or school

When using a device you do not control, take extra precautions to protect your account.

Use private or incognito browsing

The safest way to sign in on a shared or borrowed device is to use your browser's private browsing mode. This prevents the browser from saving your sign-in session, browsing history, and cookies after you close the window.

To open a private window:

• Brave - Click the menu button, then select New Private Window, or press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac). See Brave's guide to Private windows (opens in a new tab).
• Chrome - Click the menu button, then select New Incognito Window, or press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac). See Chrome's guide to Incognito mode (opens in a new tab).
• Microsoft Edge - Click the menu button, then select New InPrivate Window, or press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac). See Edge's guide to InPrivate browsing (opens in a new tab).
• Safari - Click File > New Private Window, or press Cmd+Shift+N. See Safari's guide to Private Browsing (opens in a new tab).
• Firefox - Click the menu button, then select New Private Window, or press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac). See Firefox's guide to Private Browsing (opens in a new tab).

Once the private window is open:

1. Go to the LuxID sign-in page at login.luxid.lu (opens in a new tab) or navigate to the partner service you need.
2. Sign in with your LuxID credentials.
3. Do what you need to do.
4. When you are finished, close all private browsing windows. This deletes cookies and session data from the device.

Always sign out when you are done

Whether or not you used private browsing, sign out of your LuxID Account before leaving the device:

1. Click your profile or account icon on the LuxID Partner service you are using and sign out.
2. Sign out of your LuxID Account itself. Go to account.luxid.lu (opens in a new tab) and click the logout icon in the upper right corner.
3. Confirm Leave the application when prompted.
4. Click Logout to fully end your LuxID session.
5. Close the browser window.

Signing out of both the partner service and LuxID itself ensures that the next person who uses the device cannot access your account.

If you forgot to use private browsing

If you signed in without using a private window, clear the browser's data before you leave:

1. Open the browser's settings or preferences.
2. Find the option to clear browsing data (sometimes called "Clear history" and/or "Delete cookies").
3. Select Cookies, Cached files, and Browsing history.
4. Clear the data, then close the browser.

This removes any saved session information that could allow someone else to access your account.

LuxID session expiry

LuxID sessions expire automatically after a period of inactivity. Even if you forget to sign out, your session will eventually end on its own. However, you should not rely on this as your only protection. Always sign out manually when using a device that is not yours.

Additional tips

• Do not save your password on a shared device. If the browser asks whether you want to save your LuxID password, always decline unless it is your own device and you understand where the password will be stored (see Password managers).
• Watch for shoulder surfers. Be aware of who can see your screen when entering your password in a public place.
• Use 2-Step Verification. If your account has 2-Step Verification enabled, even a compromised password is not enough for someone to sign in. This is especially valuable when using unfamiliar devices.