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Hi guys,

I sometimes need to travel without laptop and use computers in hotels, cafe etc. from which I access password protected sites which has some important propreitary info. The question is how can I ensure that there isnt any surveillance type of program like keylogger or password sniffer in the computer? If there are malicious programs how can I prevent my info from siphoning off? Did any of you guys experience anything like this in Dubai cafe hotels?

Your help will be appreciated.

the best preventive way: dont use public computers to access private/sensitive data !

If you really have to then use dynamic passwords such as the ones produced by RSA or Secure Computing.

well if you want to browse ur e-mail or some private stuff other than BANK and another financial stuff I would suggest to use PASS2go http://www.roboform.com/pass2go.html costs abt 20 bucks but worth every penny. There are other tools which I can provide u. This software stores the passwords in ur usb key so it automatically enters the password preventing the keyloggers to sniff the pass. Still keyloggers can take screenshots ........Ur best bet is to use ur own laptop with encrypted signal

Are public computers at libraries, Internet cafes, airports, and copy shops safe?
That depends on how you use them! Take these tips to help keep your personal or financial information private.



1. Don't save your logon information.

Always log out of Web sites by clicking "log out" on the site. It's not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address.
Many programs (especially instant messenger programs) include automatic login features that will save your user name and p!!!!!word. Disable this option so no one can log in as you.



2. Don't leave the computer unattended with sensitive information on the screen.

If you have to leave the public computer, log out of all programs and close all windows that might display sensitive information.



3. Erase your tracks.

Web browsers such as Internet Explorer keep a record of your p!!!!!words and every page you visit, even after you�ve closed them and logged out.
> To disable the feature that stores p!!!!!words
Before you go to the Web, turn off the Internet Explorer feature that "remembers" your p!!!!!words.
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
2. Click the Content tab, and then click AutoComplete.
3. Click to clear both check boxes having to do with p!!!!!words.
> To delete your temporary Internet files and your history
When you finish your use of a public computer, you should delete all the temporary files and your Internet history.
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
2. On the General tab, under Temporary Internet files, click Delete Files, and then click Delete Cookies.
3. Under History, click Clear History.
> To delete other files saved by corporate portals, such as Sharepoint Portal Server
If you're using a corporate Web site that allows you to view internal corporate documents, you may be inadvertently storing sensitive documents on the public computer.
1. Delete all the files in the temporary folder of your user account which you can find by browsing to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp.
2. If your company uses Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server, empty the temporary folder (My Documents\SharePoint Drafts).


4. Watch for over-the-shoulder snoops.

When you use a public computer, be on the look out for thieves who look over your shoulder or watch as you enter sensitive p!!!!!words to collect your information.



5. Don't enter sensitive information into a public computer.

These measures provide some protection against casual hackers who use a public computer after you have.
But keep in mind that an industrious thief might have installed sophisticated software on the public computer that records every keystroke and then e-mails that information back to the thief.
Then it doesn't matter if you haven't saved your information or if you've erased your tracks. They still have access to this information.
If you really want to be safe, avoid typing your credit card number or any other financial or otherwise sensitive information into any public computer.



6. Protect your p!!!!!words.

Browsers also track p!!!!!words. Before going on the Web, if you're using Internet Explorer, click Tools > Internet Options. On the Content tab, click AutoComplete. Uncheck the four boxes.

When you finish surfing, again click Tools > Internet Options. Go to the Content tab and click AutoComplete. Click Clear Forms and Clear P!!!!!words.

If you're using Netscape, click Edit and Preferences. Click the arrow next to Privacy and Security. Click P!!!!!words. Clear the box next to Remember P!!!!!words. When you finish browsing, click P!!!!!words again, under Privacy and Security. Click Manage Stored P!!!!!words. Select the P!!!!!words Saved tab and click Remove All.

Netscape has a feature similar to AutoComplete. It saves data entered into forms. To disable that, under Privacy and Security, click Forms. Uncheck "Save form data from Web pages when completing forms." When you finish browsing, return to the Forms page. Click Manage Stored Form Data. Click Remove All Saved Data.

Cleaning out the browser will ensure that no one can track your surfing or grab your p!!!!!words with saved data. But a keystroke-logging program will still catch your p!!!!!words.

Some � but not all � key-logging programs can be defeated if you copy and paste in the letters or numbers of your p!!!!!word. For instance, say the page you have open in the browser has lots of type on it. And say your p!!!!!word is jim (let's hope it's not that simple!). Find a "j," an "i" and an "m" on the page. Copy and paste them into the p!!!!!word box.

Probably the best p!!!!!word protection is a temporary p!!!!!word. Use it while you're on the road, then discard it.



7. Don't rely on encryption.

There are a number of encryption packages on the market. They can be used to encrypt e-mail. However, they encrypt the mail when the Send button is clicked. That's too late if a key-logging program is on the computer. It will make a record of the p!!!!!word and message as it is being written.


8. Use some common sense.

Public computers may be secure. But you really have no way of being sure. You can secure your home or business computer, but you can't be certain of what has been done with a public machine.

Approach these machines with care. Don't do any banking or stock trading on them if you can avoid it. Avoid credit-card transactions. Use a temporary p!!!!!word if you must check your e-mail. And ask your system administrator how to "expire page views."

If you're just surfing, that should not be a problem. But avoid sensitive business if you can. There might be a Juju Jiang watching.



9. Check for spy programs.

Download X-Cleaner spyware remover from Xblock.com. Put it on a floppy disk. If the public computer you use has a floppy drive, insert the disk and run X-Cleaner from the floppy to check the hard drive. You do not have to install X-Cleaner.


10. Beware of phishing and redirected links

.

or you can do i what i do,
have windows or linux on your usb drive.
the windows is a littel jumpy at the minuet as it runs in limbo mode not quite safe mode and not quite full but it works fine.
as for linux its ace you can startup your OS inside windows or if you want to be cheacky you can restart the computer and conect to the internet without haveing to pay.so you can carry all your imprtant files and settings with you were ever you go and not discolse them to no one, pleae not i can do the USB linux for you but not tell you how to set it up its a pain in the bottom
as for the windows again i can do it for you but not tell you how 2 its orcward

and one more thing if when some one looking over your sholder the pass word feild turns in to ******* but when no is looking it still dose it