Comments on: How to Play it Safe in an Internet Café http://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/ Planning, preparing and packing for a round-the-world trip Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:21:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: 101 Ultimate Backpacker Resources - Zero to Hero - HappyTime bloghttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-17047 101 Ultimate Backpacker Resources - Zero to Hero - HappyTime blog Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:19:06 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-17047 [...] Bowl: 10 Tips for Staying Healthy on the Road 98. Your Essential Travel Personal Hygiene Tips 99. How to Play it Safe in an Internet Café 100. Travel Safety 101 – A complete guide to staying safe on the road 101. The World’s 10 [...]
[...] Bowl: 10 Tips for Staying Healthy on the Road 98. Your Essential Travel Personal Hygiene Tips 99. How to Play it Safe in an Internet Café 100. Travel Safety 101 – A complete guide to staying safe on the road 101. The World’s 10 [...]

]]> By: Samui Boyhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-6734 Samui Boy Tue, 08 Feb 2011 08:20:55 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-6734 As an avid traveler I have invested in my own portable laptop. It has just an eight in screen, but packed full of all the right programs and software to enable me to work and communicate on the run! Oh and it fits in my backpack.
As an avid traveler I have invested in my own portable laptop. It has just an eight in screen, but packed full of all the right programs and software to enable me to work and communicate on the run! Oh and it fits in my backpack.

]]> By: Davehttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-2175 Dave Fri, 07 May 2010 16:49:40 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-2175 Nice tips. I've got an Eee PC that I plan to use whenever possible to limit my exposure on my RTW trip. Another one that Gary of Everything-Everywhere mentioned is to open a notepad window, then when entering username/password, alternate between browser and notepad and type some junk in the notepad window. The keylogger probably can't tell what window you're in and will then get useless info.
Nice tips. I’ve got an Eee PC that I plan to use whenever possible to limit my exposure on my RTW trip. Another one that Gary of Everything-Everywhere mentioned is to open a notepad window, then when entering username/password, alternate between browser and notepad and type some junk in the notepad window. The keylogger probably can’t tell what window you’re in and will then get useless info.

]]> By: Emily @ Maiden Voyagehttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1994 Emily @ Maiden Voyage Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:47:13 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1994 Yikes - this freaked me out! While I have been wary about using Internet cafes, I use them anyway because I don't want to go without. I'm not very tech-savvy, so I never knew what precautions to take...never thought about checking for keyloggers! Though I have an iPhone, and now I try to stay places with free wifi so I can just check email through my phone and avoid Internet cafes.
Yikes – this freaked me out! While I have been wary about using Internet cafes, I use them anyway because I don’t want to go without. I’m not very tech-savvy, so I never knew what precautions to take…never thought about checking for keyloggers! Though I have an iPhone, and now I try to stay places with free wifi so I can just check email through my phone and avoid Internet cafes.

]]> By: Peterhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1868 Peter Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:05:10 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1868 I was originally going to agree with most of the users here and say that the risks are largely over-stated - who cares if they can get into your email? - but i changed my mind halfway upon remembering something I read elsewhere. The article was saying that most people use the same password for ALL their sites - email, facebook, banking, etc. And therefore, if a hacker can get into one account, he usually has the password for everything else. If looked at from that perspective, then it's pretty disastrous. The solution is simple, of course - don't use the same password everywhere - but most people don't do that.
I was originally going to agree with most of the users here and say that the risks are largely over-stated – who cares if they can get into your email? – but i changed my mind halfway upon remembering something I read elsewhere.

The article was saying that most people use the same password for ALL their sites – email, facebook, banking, etc. And therefore, if a hacker can get into one account, he usually has the password for everything else.

If looked at from that perspective, then it’s pretty disastrous. The solution is simple, of course – don’t use the same password everywhere – but most people don’t do that.

]]> By: Bearhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1805 Bear Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:35:06 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1805 I think you guys already said it. Check your email and whatever, but avoid the online banking and making purchases that require credit cards. The same can be said for using all public computers.
I think you guys already said it. Check your email and whatever, but avoid the online banking and making purchases that require credit cards. The same can be said for using all public computers.

]]> By: The Traveler’s Guide To Locking Down Your Laptop: Part 3 – Online And Everything Else | foXnoMadhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1794 The Traveler’s Guide To Locking Down Your Laptop: Part 3 – Online And Everything Else | foXnoMad Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:58:40 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1794 [...] You can also download these 12 applications you can run from a USB drive to protect the data on your portable drives and play it safe in Internet cafes. [...]
[...] You can also download these 12 applications you can run from a USB drive to protect the data on your portable drives and play it safe in Internet cafes. [...]

]]> By: Danielhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1763 Daniel Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:32:13 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1763 Thanks for being so quotable, Anil! :)
Thanks for being so quotable, Anil! :)

]]> By: Danielhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1762 Daniel Tue, 06 Apr 2010 22:31:45 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1762 Thanks for the thoughful response, Neil — appreciated especially your comments on identity theft. My experience is similar to yours, although most of my travel was completed in the earlier part of the decase when, I assume, the threat was a lot lower. At the same time, I believe it is important to be prudent — but not paranoid!
Thanks for the thoughful response, Neil — appreciated especially your comments on identity theft. My experience is similar to yours, although most of my travel was completed in the earlier part of the decase when, I assume, the threat was a lot lower. At the same time, I believe it is important to be prudent — but not paranoid!

]]> By: Brianhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1726 Brian Sun, 04 Apr 2010 15:53:02 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1726 All great points and while the risk may be overstated as Neil points out, the risk is there. The problem is just compounded when you in a foreign country and you're dealing with missing money and/or identity theft. Which is why I recommend that you have a bank account you access from the road separate from your main horde of money, just in case it is compromised. Also if you're going to bring your own laptop/netbook that does not mean auto protection from people who would steal your info. You've got to have virus protection/personal firewall installed. I got a virus infection in Hong Kong and had to blow my laptop away and start over. I had virus protection installed but it was not very good. Once I got a better one - Kaspersky - I never had a problem again while on my round the world trip.
All great points and while the risk may be overstated as Neil points out, the risk is there. The problem is just compounded when you in a foreign country and you’re dealing with missing money and/or identity theft.

Which is why I recommend that you have a bank account you access from the road separate from your main horde of money, just in case it is compromised.

Also if you’re going to bring your own laptop/netbook that does not mean auto protection from people who would steal your info. You’ve got to have virus protection/personal firewall installed. I got a virus infection in Hong Kong and had to blow my laptop away and start over. I had virus protection installed but it was not very good. Once I got a better one – Kaspersky – I never had a problem again while on my round the world trip.

]]> By: Tango Lucyhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1715 Tango Lucy Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:20:26 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1715 I agree that its pretty essential nowadays to have your own computing device when you travel. It seems like Apple's new iPad is going to be the must-have device for travelers cause its so portable and you don't have to plug it in so often like a laptop. But if you must use an internet cafe, those are good tips!
I agree that its pretty essential nowadays to have your own computing device when you travel. It seems like Apple’s new iPad is going to be the must-have device for travelers cause its so portable and you don’t have to plug it in so often like a laptop. But if you must use an internet cafe, those are good tips!

]]> By: Martahttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1708 Marta Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:57:11 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1708 Great tips, I am not normally worry about having to use an internet cafe' but prefer much more to check it on my own notebook. that said I got once scam just before set off for my rtw trip. not sure if it was through my online banking or some online credit card purchases but in both cases i would had used my own laptop at the time. the good thing is that with my bank, for only £20 a year, I got a fully cover insurance for all my cards so I got easily all my money back (maybe cause it was only a small amount). so now i got a bit more peace of mind when surfing through internet cafe'
Great tips, I am not normally worry about having to use an internet cafe’ but prefer much more to check it on my own notebook. that said I got once scam just before set off for my rtw trip. not sure if it was through my online banking or some online credit card purchases but in both cases i would had used my own laptop at the time. the good thing is that with my bank, for only £20 a year, I got a fully cover insurance for all my cards so I got easily all my money back (maybe cause it was only a small amount). so now i got a bit more peace of mind when surfing through internet cafe’

]]> By: Best of the RSS – What’s on the Web this Week | AirTreks Travel Bloghttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1705 Best of the RSS – What’s on the Web this Week | AirTreks Travel Blog Thu, 01 Apr 2010 20:00:33 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1705 [...] Traveler and all around smart guy Daniel, one-half of the Two Go RTW duo, tells you how not to be a patsy in a strange and foreign internet café. If you value your identity, you should probably read this one. [...]
[...] Traveler and all around smart guy Daniel, one-half of the Two Go RTW duo, tells you how not to be a patsy in a strange and foreign internet café. If you value your identity, you should probably read this one. [...]

]]> By: Kathrynhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1694 Kathryn Wed, 31 Mar 2010 01:18:10 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1694 I always worry about this when we're traveling. For peace of mind, we always bring a laptop — don't want to risk any trouble while on the road!
I always worry about this when we’re traveling. For peace of mind, we always bring a laptop — don’t want to risk any trouble while on the road!

]]> By: Anilhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1693 Anil Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:50:16 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1693 Excellent advice and I like #3 :)
Excellent advice and I like #3 :)

]]> By: Neilhttp://www.twortw.com/2010/03/30/how-to-play-it-safe-in-an-internet-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-1692 Neil Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:11:05 +0000 http://www.twortw.com/?p=1658#comment-1692 I think this is one of those overstated risks that people spend a lot of time worrying about in proportion to its real risks. I have accessed my online banking from many (probably over a hundred) internet cafes taking only cursory precautions, such as clearing browser cache. I have yet to have a problem. But in general, I chose to solve the problem the easy way...check accounts frequently. There's not a lot that can be done with my Canadian bank account from another country. My savings account can only move money into my chequing account (takes three days to clear), and my chequing account can only pay Canadian companies. Someone gaining unlawful access to my online banking could arrange to use an international money broker to move money, but that'll take substantial time (about a week) to clear, by which time I would have discovered it and contacted both my bank and the broker. It's just not an effective fraud technique. Also, even if it clears, my bank insures the account against this kind of fraud, so their loss. So I don't worry much about it. And fun fact - did you know that identity theft isn't as common as people seem to believe? In the US, the FTC collects data on this, and came up with 318,000 cases in 2008 (about 0.1% of the population, 1/3 the number of stolen cars), and this includes cases of household discipline issues where kids stole their parents' credit cards. I'm not familiar with Canadian data.
I think this is one of those overstated risks that people spend a lot of time worrying about in proportion to its real risks. I have accessed my online banking from many (probably over a hundred) internet cafes taking only cursory precautions, such as clearing browser cache. I have yet to have a problem. But in general, I chose to solve the problem the easy way…check accounts frequently.

There’s not a lot that can be done with my Canadian bank account from another country. My savings account can only move money into my chequing account (takes three days to clear), and my chequing account can only pay Canadian companies. Someone gaining unlawful access to my online banking could arrange to use an international money broker to move money, but that’ll take substantial time (about a week) to clear, by which time I would have discovered it and contacted both my bank and the broker. It’s just not an effective fraud technique. Also, even if it clears, my bank insures the account against this kind of fraud, so their loss.

So I don’t worry much about it.

And fun fact – did you know that identity theft isn’t as common as people seem to believe? In the US, the FTC collects data on this, and came up with 318,000 cases in 2008 (about 0.1% of the population, 1/3 the number of stolen cars), and this includes cases of household discipline issues where kids stole their parents’ credit cards. I’m not familiar with Canadian data.

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