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Paranoia, or Are Public Internet Computers Dangerous?
Doug Partridge © 2004
I admit it. I'm a bit paranoid, especially when it comes to
"public" facilities. For example, an unfamiliar public
restroom has my mind racing with thoughts of cleanliness ...
and hoping someone enters as I'm exiting (so I don't
actually have to touch anything).
The story I have to tell began two years ago while on
vacation in Mexico. Rather than enjoying my surroundings,
foolishly I felt the need to "stay connected." I found the
nearest Internet Cafe. All was well until my tranquility
was suddenly railroaded with an *overwhelming* sense of
computer security-related fears.
Why?
As all public computers seem to be, this was a Windows
computer. From my computer security background, I knew that
Windows computers require several security tools and
settings for thorough protection against the numerous
threats on the Internet. "Out of the box," a Windows
computer is not in good security shape.
So, what ripped me out of my peaceful serenity was the
sudden realization that I didn't know how many, if any,
security measures were applied to this particular computer.
Really, when using public computers, how is anyone to know
how protected they are?
Cleanliness aside, what exactly are the dangers faced when
using public computers?
Of course viruses are always a concern when using unfamiliar
computers, but if I could pick one thing to highlight above
the rest, it's Spyware. If you're unfamiliar with Spyware,
it's quickly becoming one of the most menacing threats on
the Internet.
What does Spyware do? The less harmful varieties like
Adware observe your web browsing activities and based on
this deliver targeted advertising usually in the form of web
pop-ups and Spam.
The more serious forms of Spyware like "keyboard loggers"
(programs that record everything you type) will sit quietly
in the background recording information about you. If you
shop or bank online, this kind of Spyware is absolutely your
worst enemy.
Public Internet computers are in no way immune to this
threat. In fact, the opposite is true.
To cite but one example, I recently read an article
discussing how a hacker installed Spyware on several
Internet terminals at New York-area Kinko's. Before this
Spyware was discovered, this person managed to record over
400 account names and passwords! He even accessed and
opened bank accounts online.
OK, I had confirmation. I wasn't just "being paranoid"
... but I now faced a dilemma.
There's no denying the convenience of public computers,
especially when away from home. However, acknowledging the
serious security risks forced me into one of two choices:
*never* use public Internet computers, or try to figure out
a "secure" way to use them.
I'll offer what I consider a secure strategy for using
public computers.
First off, there are several "high risk" activities I
wouldn't do on these computers. I would never use a public
Internet computer to do online banking, make purchases, or
do anything that involved potentially compromising financial
information. Many companies allow you to check your work
email account through a web page; again think twice before
doing this on a public computer.
A Secure Strategy for Public Computers:
When I'm away, I use public computers for two purposes only:
1. Read favorite websites
2. Check my personal web email account.
To ensure my privacy and security, I do the following:
- Before I leave for my trip, I change my email password to
something else, basically anything I'll remember while I'm
away.
- As soon as I return, I change my password to a new
password, or back to what it was prior to leaving for the
trip.
What's the advantage of this strategy?
Since I don't know how secure these computers are to begin
with, I realize that I'm taking a risk by using them in the
first place. At the same time, I'm mitigating the risk by
limiting what I'll do on the computer (i.e. only check
personal email and not access any information that would
potentially reveal financial information).
In the event that my email account and "travel" password are
recorded, I've already changed the password to something
else. This strategy has worked well for me, allayed my
paranoia, and allowed me to stay in contact when away from
home.
Of course, you *could* use this "strategy" for any account
and password (think banking, websites with user accounts,
etc.). My prudent paranoia just can't allow me to recommend
this strategy for anything financial.
Here's to practicing safe computing.
-------------------------------------------------
Doug Partridge is co-author of a new eBook, "How to Secure
Your Computer Using Free Tools and Smart Strategies."
Finally, the step-by-step Internet security guide that
should have come with your Windows computer, but didn't.
Get Secure Now =>
http://www.SecureYourComputer.net
----------------
BUSINESSMATE EZINE is published and edited by
Jess Guim, MCSE.
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