'Cybercafe Security'

Mary (64.76.38.53) -

What is the best way to protect myself when using a computer in a cybercafe? I understand there are two significant areas of concern: 1) ethernet sniffing and 2) key capture programs on the computers.

Such measures could be implemented by either unscrupulus cafe employees or other customers.

Comment #1 Eric (64.76.34.205) -

Paranoid mode: DO NOT TYPE ANYTHING YOU WOULD NOT BE OK WITH EVERYONE ELSE SEEING!

No passwords.

No bank account logins.

No credit cards.

No Google searches for embarrasing topics.

Comment #2 shaun from nova scotia -

Haha exactly what Eric said! Only use the internet at cafes for entertainment and nothing else. I know it probably sucks if you really need to check your bank or something but i guess than it would be more useful to have your own laptop or something. :

Comment #3 Sweetness from Earth, the Universe -

The other thing you can do is when you log in while at a cybercafe, make sure that you do not click on any of the "remember me" "remember my password" boxes at the log in. When you are leaving a site don't just "move" from that site, log out completely first, shut down the browser and re-open the browser for your next forage into cyberspace. Also delete all history before you leave so there is no trace of where you have been browsing.

This is about the only way I know that you can be safe enough while using cybercafe computers.

Comment #4 Sam from Net -

Do not enter any sensitive information from the cybercafe. I delete all the internet temporary files and cookies from the PC before I hand over the machine to others. I do it only after discussing with the cafe owner.

Comment #5 PokerPrincess (1) from Earth -

Those are about all the ways that you can be safe. You can do banking online at the cybercafes but ONLY if you log out completely shut down the browser and reopen it and delete any history.

This is a very safe way and also in most banking sites you have extra security sign in features. Always use this when using anyone's computer that isn't your own.

This way it is completely encrypted and nothing can be stolen unless you leave all the information on the computer. So yes, clean the files and the cookies before you leave, whether or not the owner wants you to. This is for your own protection.

Comment #6 Eileen from The Blogosphere -

I don't even bother with using any of these cybercafes. I was visiting another country last year and they had tons of these cybercafes. I was too paranoid to even get on.

Comment #7 Keter from the garage door -

Not sure that one can adequately protect one's privacy using any form of public terminal. There is no way of checking if the cache has been flushed, cookies have been deleted and the history cleared. In fact I'd say it would be easy for them to set up the machines to copy whatever they wanted on the fly so that trying to delete anything afterwards would be meaningless. Of course this is being paranoid, but then with the crazy goings on these days maybe one has to be!

Comment #8 zonealarmforcefield from Los Angeles -

Hi!

I'm Lauren and I'm working with Zone Alarm to find people who might want to use Force Field, our new in-browser security system. One of the cool things about it is that it virtualizes your browser session so it doesn't affect your computer. This means that you don't leave a trace on whatever computer you're surfing from. It also has major security and privacy benefits, such as protecting from spyware and phishing. If you want to try it, we're in free beta now and you can learn more at www.zonealarm.com, or just ask! I'll be checking in.

Good luck to you! ~Lauren

• Zone Alarm Force Field

Comment #9 COIN-OPERATED-BOY from Philippines -

Still, the best way to prevent things such as this by by keeping your personal informations secret. Do not let anyone see your passwords or even participate on any website log in invitations if you do not know what it is for and if the site looks suspicious.

Comment #10 mic from Europe -

try to use safevpn.net - this service will encrypt the traffic from your PC to the VPN server. this is the best solution IMHO

• safevpn.net

Comment #11 surfer (195.37.70.39) -

may KYPS can help; it lets you log into password-based web accounts without the need to disclose the password to the (public, internet cafe, etc) computer you use.

Name:           
E-Mail:         

Optional (please add to our directory first)
Web Link:       
Link Title:     

Message:

Note: once you register your email address with Privacy it is used across our whole network of forums and blogs. You can create seperate profiles for each forum or blog, but use the same login.