Safest way to use a public computer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by marciayudkin

Hi everyone,

Occasionally I take short 1-2 day business trips where I don't bring along my laptop. I can get email on my smartphone, but there may also need to be one or two sites where I need to check in on a computer either provided by the hotel or on a rent-per-minute place.

Any guidelines for what I should do to lessen the risk of someone not-so-nice following my tracks on the shared computer?

I always close down the browser, log out if I've logged in someplace, check the box that says don't save the login info - anything else I should do, like try to erase the browser cache or something else?

Thanks,
Marcia Yudkin

Hey Marcia

I would do all that you have listed and make sure that you do not use Facebook or Twitter as they can be hacked on free wifi very easily , also make sure you set the setting to public as this will help in the security of your laptop all ways scan just in case you may have picked up something not that this would happen but you have to be careful using free services

If you have anymore questions please PM me

Jason

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WillR

13 years ago

Only ever login to sites that start with https. Anything else is always going to be risky.

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AmyDavis 13 years ago

Marcia, I think it depends on what the sites that you need to check in are.

If you need to login, I would be worried about keyloggers on a public computer. And I don't know what you can do about a keylogger.

If you don't need to login, then along with doing the stuff on your list, you could also clear recent history thus erasing cookies, cache, site preferences, broswing history, download history and logins (do verify that all these are checked to be erased). Some public computers have this functionality disabled, in which case you really can't do much.
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Rukshan

13 years ago

Clear Browser cookies after accessing all sites. But there is a risk with key loggers. So you better to get access from well reputed cafes. Usually i'm not logging to paypal and main email accounts in public computers.

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JohnMcCabe 13 years ago

One way to frustrate keyloggers to some extent is to use something like the portable form of Roboform on a memory stick. That way, you can log into the sites you have in the program with just a mouseclick - no keystrokes to log.

Another thing you can try is using a "Private Browsing" mode if one is available - no cookies or history is saved.
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aandersen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Chris Kent

What do you need the computer for?

When I was with internet cafe access only, I used a dedicated email address that I had receive forwarded notifications from support emails, sales notifications etc. This way I never compromised my regular email accounts.

And I could even post to my blog by emailing a predefined email address in Wordpress.

Always check under the keyboard to see if it has an extra hardware module, sometimes keyword loggers are physical devices.

This is the best advice IMO. Use proxy accounts for accessing data on public terminals and give these account just enough access to get your minimum work done. This way your primary accounts are never at risk.

Beyond this, your best defense is just being as selective as possible about computers you choose.

Thanks

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Terry Hatfield

13 years ago

I never enter my passwords using my keyboard.

Go to start>accessories>accessibility>on screen keyboard

Much safer option.

Thanks
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marciayudkin 13 years ago

I never enter my passwords using my keyboard.

Go to start>accessories>accessibility>on screen keyboard

Terry,

Are you saying that that would evade someone who'd installed a spy program?

Thanks, everyone else, for your input also!

Marcia Yudkin
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Mark Jordan

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Terry Hatfield

I never enter my passwords using my keyboard.

Go to start>accessories>accessibility>on screen keyboard

Much safer option.

Although on-screen keyboard is a safer option one should not disregard the fact that there are still keylogging software that can take screenshots of what is displayed on the screen.

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bradlean

13 years ago

Hi can you help me?

I try your instructions but I can't locate the accessibility? Is there any other way? pls help...

Go to start>accessories>accessibility>

mine Go to start>accessories>?????????????>

Thanks
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aandersen

13 years ago

Originally Posted by bradlean

Hi can you help me?

I try your instructions but I can't locate the accessibility? Is there any other way? pls help...

Go to start>accessories>accessibility>

mine Go to start>accessories>?????????????>

Newer versions of windows are different. Don't know about win 7, but on vista it's at:

Start > Accessories > Ease of Access > On-Screen Keyboard

Alternatively, you could just go :

Start > Run > Type: osk > [enter]

same thing.

For the record, while it would stop a keylogger looking specifically for keyboard input, it would do nothing to stop a keylogger that was tracking all user input. I don't doubt for a second that people devious enough to write keylogging software have already considered this "work around." Really, I wouldn't rely on it if you have security concerns.

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bradlean

13 years ago

Originally Posted by aandersen

Newer versions of windows are different. Don't know about win 7, but on vista it's at:

Start > Accessories > Ease of Access > On-Screen Keyboard

Alternatively, you could just go :

Start > Run > Type: osk > [enter]

same thing.

For the record, while it would stop a keylogger looking specifically for keyboard input, it would do nothing to stop a keylogger that was tracking all user input. I don't doubt for a second that people devious enough to write keylogging software have already considered this "work around." Really, I wouldn't rely on it if you have security concerns.

Thank you so much aandersen! Your really willing to help and protect people!

I guess you already have I brighter future for a good people like you that awaits. Thanks!

Thanks

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marketanalyzer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by aandersen

Newer versions of windows are different. Don't know about win 7, but on vista it's at:

Start > Accessories > Ease of Access > On-Screen Keyboard

Alternatively, you could just go :

its also the same for windows 7

i think this is a great option to remain anonymous

Thanks

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Hosterbox

13 years ago

I personally carry a 16gb usb stick everywhere I go and if I ABSOLUTELY need to use a public computer I turn off the computer plug in my usb then I go in the bios and set the usb as the boot up drive, then my portable os boots up

. The best part is that its not only safe but you can carry around your favorite programs with you. Just google it if you want to make your own.

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Radcliff

13 years ago

Sometimes I meet occasions to access my site from a public computer.Up to now I only used logging off.But after I read this I realized it only is not enough.Now I am thinking of using Roboform data to log in.Thanks for your instructions.

Thanks
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Terry Hatfield 13 years ago

Hi Marcia,

Using the on screen keyboard will protect you from viruses that record your keystrokes, as this program is using a mouse to input your password and not a keyboard.

But like Mark mentioned above, if they are recording snapshots of your screen you are out of luck. It is possible they could do a screen capture, but I believe most of the viruses are out there are just recording your keystrokes from your keyboard.

I think you have increased your protection dramatically by using the "on screen keyboard" though.
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Safest way to use a public computer

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