posted by Travel Cat on Jun 2
How do you stay safe when using an Internet cafe abroad or at home?
Basically, you are using a computer that doesn’t belong to you, and has been used by hundreds of people before you and no doubt will be used by several hundreds after you.
As a result it could harbour all sorts of viruses and other ‘bad’ software that people have put in place intentionally or completely by accident when other users haven’t used it wisely themselves.
Based on my own recent experience here in Costa Rica - and a bit of help from some of my ‘computery friends’ I have put together 5 basic tips to help minimise the risk you personally take when using someone else’s pc, by keeping your personal details safe from prying eyes and preventing people viewing your Internet history and checking out your cookies…….
Use An Internet Cafe You Can Trust
Most importantly make sure this is a popular haunt for other travellers. Is it full of other people or did your hotel recommend it?
Things to check for yourself once inside include whether the system has any anti-virus programmes active like Norton or AVG? Are the computers “closed systems” where you only work with written data already on the Internet? If other people are downloading pictures from digital cameras, uploading videos and mp3s etc, the greater the chance to pass on viruses due to the greater interaction between the computers and other technology.
Run A Quick Spy-ware Sweep
If in any doubt at all about the safety of the pc - find a free online spy-sweeper tool to run some quick checks for you. One piece of software called HouseCall is readily available, and there are plenty of others out there you could use. Basically this will identify any obvious security problems with the computer before you type any passwords or personal details in - including your name and address.
Don’t Use Auto-save Tools For Any Website
The number of times I went onto a computer abroad to find other users still logged in to things like Facebook and Hotmail was amazing! Although these still require passwords for ordinary people to get in - other users can be a bit more creative at getting details.
One person using a pc before me had actually left her email inbox open on the screen! I was tempted to send all her contacts and email saying ‘Don’t accept emails from me anymore as I have left my account open to attack from viruses and security fraud!’ Can you imagine the damage an open email account full of account confirmation details and passwords could have? What about access to all those friends addresses and contact numbers that could have been used by a stranger!
I think some people get so used to leaving these details on their own or friends computers that they just don’t think of all the dangers out there.
Always Delete Your Cookies And Your Internet History
If you were using Internet Explorer, you will be able to clear your history of sites visited and also clear your cookies (small files automatically saved on a pc, which can identify your personal details and what you did on the pc).
It is very simple to do, and it means that the next user on that equipment won’t be able to find details of the sites you visited and any transactions of personal information you needed for that.
Simply select Tools, then Internet Options, then click the Delete Cookies and Clear History buttons before pressing OK.
It may well take a few minutes to do this as it will be deleting not only your details, but also the hundreds of details before that no-one else bothered to clear. It would be wise to start this about 5 minutes before you time runs out to make sure it is done - ideally then always use this computer again if you return to that location, don’t spread your risk to other pc’s or Internet cafes…..
Avoid Using Unsecured, Unencrypted Wi-Fi
Using encrypted Wi-Fi isn’t the main concern here - it’s using unsecured, unencrypted Wi-Fi that could leave you open to attack.
Accessing the Internet via an unencrypted Wi-Fi hot-spot like a snack bar or hotel reception may well allow all your personal details to ’hang around’ that connection point for anyone to access. This means that someone sitting near you could access your laptop through theirs and ’see’ what pages you visit, possibly what passwords you type in, and even infect your laptop with a virus.
- Use A Firewall to create a virtual ‘wall’ around your laptop.
- Use Antivirus and Anti-Spyware - this should alert you to anything suspicious.
- Password Protect your laptop - so simple but will prevent anyone getting in.
- Use A VPN to create an encrypted network for as little as $10/£20 a month.
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June 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Hi Cat
Your article has been posted on Carnival of Europe, you can see it here
http://heatheronhertravels.blogspot.com/2008/06/carnival-of-europe.html
Please can you do some sort of link-back to direct your readers to the Carnival.
Best wishes
Heather
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:47 pm
You have included some really good information here. You need to be aware of what is safe when you go abroad to a new Town. You can learn about the Country on the internet before you go. You have to be so safe with your computer and checking things like the internet. Downloads are espescially dodgy I agree. Very detailed advice given here. Some great advice, thanks.
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June 16th, 2008 at 2:15 am
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