During my travels, at times I have no choice but to access the internet through a public computer in a cyber cafe or hotel business center. How may I ensure that the PC I'm using does not contain spyware, keyloggers and malwares that are stealing my information.?
Is there a USb portable firewall and anti malware-keylogger program that I can run and update its definitions from a USb flash drive? Thanks.
Related posts:
6 responses so far ↓
1 X™ // Jun 29, 2008
You can use Linux Live CDs. You boot straight from the CD and get to the desktop with a web browser (usually Firefox) you can use to surf the web. No need to install, and as it runs from RAM, no data is left behind. Spyware won't work as windows is not even loaded. You can also install Linux on pen drives and boot any computer from it.
There are many distros which provide these live CDs.
http://linuxmint.com/
Live CDs & pen drives are 100% safe in terms of spyware security.
http://www.pendrivelinux.com/
Also there are portable apps you can install on a USB, but I'm not sure about their security
http://portableapps.com/
2 Clipz // Jun 29, 2008
Well you would ask the people at the desk would sercurity package they have.
If they are reputable they are probably using a good package with good firewal, if they are really pro they might be using SOCKS and a dynamic IP.
Your totally dependant on thier Sercurity system.
@ X™ and for general info.
The cyber cafes normally have passwords on thier BIOS to protect for people playing around with settings. an no applications on potable apps do the job this person is looking for.
Any program which you desire to monitor ports and packet flow would most likely need to be install to the computer. And all these places disable the use of .exe files to avoid getting such keyloggers on thier system.
So the definitave asnwer is no.
3 Bill // Jun 29, 2008
Hello –
The simple truth is that you can't. What you term a "public computer" is in fact someone's private computer that they are letting you use.
You have no right to privacy within the context of it being as you say public. In fact you haven't even the expectation that it will be private.
If I own a computer I can put on ANY type of software I want (key logger, malware, or viruses) you don't like it then that is your problem not mine!
Furthermore you plug in a USB drive to sabatage any software on my computer …
Key logger and I am going to be really and rightly upset.
Sorry … these systems are not secure that is the way it has to be!
Bill
P.S.
There are "secure systems" out there but you have to pay for that privacy … the free stuff is free and you get what you pay for.
4 cotojo // Jun 29, 2008
Using public computers cannot guarantee that there is not some form of malware installed on them, particularly keykoggers.
If it is absolutely necessary to make use of public computers then i would suggest the use of an online password manager.
One that is secure and gaining popularity is Clipperz:
http://www.clipperz.com/
You can access your account from any computer, but only YOU have the Master Password, if you forget it it cannot be retrieved. You can store all of your usernames, passwords, other details if you so wich such as banking etc which is all encrypted.
Once you have created your main account you can download an 'offline copy' to a flash drive and then run it from there, although it will be a read only version that you won't be able to modify, but with its encryption only you have access to it:
http://www.clipperz.com/support/user_guide/offline_copy
It is not just a password manager, it’s a personal online vault for any kind of sensitive data.
5 Solidus // Jun 29, 2008
Linux Live CD is also a good solution
or else
You can rely on IPSec instead of various stupid antivirus, antispyware etc.
In addition, you should never logon as an administrator, rather create a normal user (Limited)
For further assisctance, contact online help at http://thedotcomoffice.com
6 D G // Jun 29, 2008
As above
Leave a Comment