Thread: 10 Security Tips when using Cyber Cafes

While the number of people who already have internet access at home is increasing, a large percentage still, despite the reduction in service prices, access the network using public Internet booths and cyber cafes. However, many are unaware of some basic principles on how to safeguard your information.

I've been a fairly active user of Internet of these cabins even before Internet access was available at home or college. In all this time later I learnt some things that made me reflect on the importance of information security, so that, if you use regularly or occassionaly these cafes, I invite you to review the following tips:

Here are my 10 Information Security Tips when using Internet kiosks:

1. Check if the machine has an updated antivirus

Many users think that the machine only has the msn, yahoo, gtalk messengers and the internet browser. Very few are able to identify the Windows symbol on security alerts about whether antivirus software is available in the system and if this is updated.

2. Restart your PC if this is already turned ON

If it is a machine that already was ON, could be running background applications that jeopardize our security, such as keyloggers or trojan active. We do not know if the person using the machine had previously installed virus inadvertently or deliberately, especially if the machine does not have a reliable antivirus.

3. Access the Programs from Windows Start Menu

It is not recommended to start the application by double clicking the desktop shortcuts and other executables that can reference and does not necessarily indicate its icons. MSN Messenger icon on the desktop could not be more than a Trojan pitcher left by the previous user. The best practice is accessible from the Windows menu: Start-->> All Programs.

4. Close sessions of your accounts to get away from the machine

Sometimes you may wish to use the toilet, buy something or just get away from the PC. In any case it is advisable to log-out of your Internet accounts, such as messenger, mail, etc.. Also, don't leave your papers with annotations and personal valuables.

5. Don't click on the unfamiliar alert messages.

Maybe the antivirus and / or firewall and / or antispyware you use on the machine is very good, but unless we have sufficient knowledge of threats on the Internet, clicking on the unknown alert messages may enable the implementation of a malware or spyware that tries to take our information.

6. Do not spread your passwords in public

Although it may sound silly, I have witnessed more than once, of how the passwords are disclosed in a public cyber cafe. One scenario: A person gives her password to another friend, so that you can be logged-in while going to have coffee and indicates the time.

While the friend may be a person of complete confidence, merely mentioning the password leads to another stranger who can then access the machine and check the registration of the MSN Contacts system (because it keeps a record) and get to the account, plus the key: Bingo.

7. Do not use it for banking or sensitive information

If we are to make any bank transfer, it is not appropriate to use these public booths, as the implicit danger that may exist in the system, perhaps infected, the PC can be full of striking bad intentions. For such transactions using a trusted machine.

Nor is it advisable to use these machines for affidavits of the tax system.

8. Special precaution while typing your passwords.

Shoulder surfing is the name of the hacking technique that involves spying on the victim physically. As its name implies, this practice tends to make watching over his shoulder. So, you should be especially careful and always watch your backs when you type your passwords.

9. Beware of the physical information that you discard

When we use cabins, sometimes we need to make temporary notes, which may be discarded in the trash cans of the same booths. If it's something sensible, such as personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers or worse, passwords) it is best to take the paper dispose it at home or other place where we have more certainty that noone can be misusing it.

Infact there is even a kind of hack that is to review in the trash cans of the individual victim, or target, called dumpster diving.

10. Be sure to log off and restart the PC to retire

Another common mistake, not only when in public booths but while browsing the Internet in general is CLOSING the windows of our mail or Internet accounts, without having closed session. This is a drawback, as there are cookies (small files in which our information is stored). It is best to LOGOUT and then close the browser window and finally reboot your system.

I hope you find this helpful. If you have any comments, experience or suggestions that will enrich the post, you're welcome.

Really great tips, itsmemad. These are the basic and most important measures everyone should take care of while surfing via cyber cafes.

Good one.................
Now I never go to Cyber-cafe.

where are "10 security tips for cyber cafe owners"???

i am telling to you all the peak of carelessness by users of my cafe.
one girl wrote her number on the cabin wall. the number went to all boy circles and she was f*&^%d up with the calls..later on she told me of the things..

so who is actually caring for privacy?? i have seen many gals/boyz writing away awefully on the cabin:- numbers, email ids, pass phrases, even orkut and facebook search names and profiles,.. whats for??

guys see just the one side of business. .cafe maaliks take all responsibilities for the public.. but the general public in India doesnt just care at all for anything..

jyada bolne ki jarrorat nahi hai, cafe maalik asso. andolan par beth jayegi

And use Deep Freeze.. a software to automatically restore OS.. highly recommended.. so thatthe system will be in the previous state after a small restart.. can make clear all the vulnerabilities caused by the customers..

Good one Mohit. Missed somehow.

Its good to clear browser history, cookies and web form information when you finish with your work.

Not sure about all the tips because I don't see any harm in them, but then one most important is to log out from all your personal logins accounts like e-mail.

Originally Posted by Sam Bentley

Not sure about all the tips because I don't see any harm in them, but then one most important is to log out from all your personal logins accounts like e-mail.

That is the main thing, man............
It you do not do so next person can able to use it.
So try to not to use "remember me" options in Cyber.

First I Would Like To Add Something To This

Most Of The Cyber-Cafes Do Not Install Anti-viruses

And Use On-Screen Keyboard For Typing Passwords.Because Of The Keyloggers

And It Is Important To Clear The Cache Of The Browser

Well done! Really good tips.

First I Would Like To Add Something To This
Most Of The Cyber-Cafes Do Not Install Anti-viruses
And Use On-Screen Keyboard For Typing Passwords.Because Of The Keyloggers
And It Is Important To Clear The Cache Of The Browser

Great points. If you could add those to the original article as contributed points, that would be great.

About keyloggers, here's what I do: I use a combination of the on-screen keyboard and the actual keyboard. Should there be a security issue with the on-screen, I type one or two characters from my password, then click the username field, type some random characters, so and so forth. Finally I delete the extra characters from my username and then login. This will help because the keylogger will most probably not track when you are clicking and what you are clicking. So no one program has access to everything "typed".

best thing to do is , go to internet settings of IE and delete all online and offline files...

if something fishy is opened. restart the comp, and say "arrey yaar, bhaiya dekhna kya hua.."

Originally Posted by mickey

best thing to do is , go to internet settings of IE and delete all online and offline files...

if something fishy is opened. restart the comp, and say "arrey yaar, bhaiya dekhna kya hua.."

Smart! That may not always be enough, because keyloggers need not be easily noticeable and are usually hidden, you cannot be sure that those are cleared. If the speed is high enough, I usually download and install Firefox is the settings permit (if they don't then the guy who owns it is clever enough to install it himself).

In cyber cafe always start private browsing. In private browsing, nothing is saved like URL and history, nothing. It is best and I always use this if it is necessary for me to go to Cyber cafes.

Originally Posted by gaggan4392

In cyber cafe always start private browsing. In private browsing, nothing is saved like URL and history, nothing. It is best and I always use this if it is necessary for me to go to Cyber cafes.

sacchi??? you dont know how to open saved cache from private browsing??

Originally Posted by gaggan4392

In cyber cafe always start private browsing. In private browsing, nothing is saved like URL and history, nothing. It is best and I always use this if it is necessary for me to go to Cyber cafes.

Keyloggers can work during Private Browsing also.