Do you use Internet cafes and bars?
July 13th, 2008 by Andreas from Xavier MediaI just read a blog post at Mcafee Avert Labs Blog about a special type of maleware that can infect computers in Internet cafes and I started thinking about secure Internet connections when you travel.
When traveling many of us use Internet cafes to access our email, check the server status and maybe even do some transactions at our online bank. We do it because it's so easy, just pay a few bucks and you can use the Internet, but the thing is if you really should trust computers you don't have any control over? Anyone can use the computer you're sitting in front of at the cafe and anyone can also install evil software on it without letting the cafe owner know about it. The blog post "Are Internet cafes and bars at danger" is describing a special maleware that can bypass the special security measurements most Internet cafes are relying on. So the question is should you trust Internet cafe computers?
In real life most people think about all kinds of diseases you could get when traveling and to protect our selfs from problems we get all kinds of vaccinations before we travel. Have you ever got any vaccinations for computer problems?
Even if you use your own laptop on your vacation you still can't feel that safe if you "borrow" someones wireless connection because you don't know if the connection has been hijacked and monitored by evil forces.
The solution may be to start using mobile Internet connections you pay for yourself because then you know all parties involved (i.e. you, your laptop and your ISP). But the disadvantage so far is slow connections, much slower then your normal broad band connection at your office (I'm not that impressed by the connection speed here in Sweden so far). Another disadvantage is high fees you have to pay for your access if you use it in another country (see this) and unfortunately you tend to travel to other countries on vacation……
Let's just hope that the European Union will force the mobile service providers and Internet service providers to better inform customers about their pricing structures and also to make it much cheaper to use your mobile Internet connection in all the European countries. We need mobile Internet access within the whole of Europe at reasonable cost!
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July 14th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
I don't used internet cafes or bars. They are a huge thing popping up all over the U.S. (and have been for years now) I've often wondered how safe it was to use them. I know just from having a wireless connection in my own house, people are able to "attach" themselves to it and steal our bandwidth.
Our community had a "business office" in which anyone could go in and use the computer. I never thought about someone attaching a virus to that computer.
Very interesting post and something to think about.
lalas last blog post..Port Canaveral
July 14th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Yes, you have to be careful about what information you send over connections you don't know, but at the same time you have to protect your own connections so you don't get into trouble.
/Andreas
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
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