Travel Tips: Internet Security

[Updated(10/09/2013): Some additional Tips Below]

Recently, I took a ride of Greyhound line, and got a large city. Then naturally, I used the Internet via our smartphone. Also, recently, people travel with their tablet computers such as iPad, Kindle Fire, and Nexus 7. These tablets are naturally useful. We can check the information about the destinations, and private emails too.

Now many people use these with the Internet Security software that keeps their devices safe. However, what do we do when we can't use our devices?

There are some Internet equipments at the airports, public libraries, and other locations such as the Internet cafes. Also we can use some office service locations such as Fedex Kinko's. Are they safe to use?

Usually, the answer is "no." For example, when I went to my college library and started up the computers a few years ago, they always recognized some viruses. Naturally, the computers are for public people. Especially, on the Internet cafes, many people use the computers for entertainments, and also these people tend to open unsafe files.

Now what to do for these:

When you sit for the computer at a public place, please try these.

1. Reboot the computer(if possible)
   If you use the computer, it may have already had some viruses. Usually, in the public internet places, they have a recovering software for computers. When the computers start up, it becomes always the same setting and the storage becomes empty. (This depends on the locations, please ask before you use.)
    
2. Check the status of the Internet Suite
   For the recent viruses and malware, usually, these computers in public places have the Internet Security suite, and automatically run when it starts. Check the status, and if it indicates malware or virus, avoid to input any private information such as ID, password, email address, phone number and names.
    
3. Check the Firewall Setting
   Before you use the computer, check the firewall status. If it doesn't have any firewall protection, you should avoid to input your private information. Usually, Firewall protects your information. It prevents leaking your information, and protects from viruses and malware.
    
4. Run the Virus Scan
   If the computer has the Virus Scan program, temporarily, it may not work when you use. You have to check it, and make sure it runs, and start browsing.
    

"But wait... how can we use the Internet computer such the bad condition?" Yes, we can use the Internet on the bad security computer. If you just want to search about your travel destinations and don't put any private information, it's mostly no problem to use. You can check the timetable of public transportation and the location on the maps.

However, if you need an appointment or reservation with your private information including name, address, phone and credit card numbers, you absolutely should avoid using public computers.

If you want to post comments to your Facebook and Twitter, write emails and store files and photos on your cloud drives, you have to bring your laptop, or use your smartphone with security software.

Avoid unhappy troubles, and try the happy travels..!

"Blurred Lines" (2013)

by Robin Thicke

Like this Robin Thickle's song, people have a kind of happy troubles on their travel, they may be good. However, don't open the Pandora's box with your private information on the Internet! It may cause the real troubles for your lives.

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[UPDATE: 10/09/2013]

Here are two more additions for your security of the Internet use. These are not only for the public Internet computers, but for your computers too.

1. Update the Computer
   I wrote when the computer reboot, the setting becomes back as the same as the first time use. It's not always good. If someone has applied to the security update, they are all gone when you reboot. If you have plenty of time to update the computer, update it before you use it.
    
2. Update the Browser
   If you update the computer, it's still not always the good condition. As the same as the reason above 1, the browsers you use is probably old ones. Check the version, and update it.

In many cases, update is the most fundamental thing people should do. If your computer has enough capacity to install updates, you should do it. Also, for the public computers, please take care of them. If you can wait to check your email, transfer files, and comment on SNS,  do it after you reach the safe place.