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dvansickle

Jun 19, 2005, 7:16 AM

Post #1 of 9 (1264 views)

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Are internet cafes secure?

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I will be spending July 2005 in San Miguel de Allende, and planned to use internet cafes to access my email, pay bills and all the usual. Now my ISP (Earthlink) tells me that using computers in the internet cafes is a bad idea, as people can capture information such as passwords with software that captures keystrokes. I really need internet access, but don't want to buy a laptop that I could bring myself because I don't need one otherwise. Any suggestions or comments?

David Van sickle

Brian

Jun 19, 2005, 8:44 AM

Post #2 of 9 (1253 views)

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Re: [dvansickle] Are internet cafes secure?

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Hi David

Generally speaking, it isn't a wise decision to use public machines for sensitive information as in the examples you cite. Since you don't want to bring down a laptop, my suggestion is that you use the machines in the Biblioteca Publica rather than the cybercafes. I can personally attest to the integrity and competence of the manager at the facility. The machines are regularly scanned for worms and viruses. Be sure to logoff any sessions and, just to be extra safe, clear the cookies on the web browser before you leave.

saludos

Brian

kirkswig

Jun 19, 2005, 7:09 PM

Post #3 of 9 (1226 views)

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Re: [dvansickle] Are internet cafes secure?

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Another option is to bring along something that is called a Live CD.

This is a CD which contains the Linux operating system and can be used to boot a computer. Once booted, you have access to a fully-featured web browser, from which you can do online banking and other sensitive activities with a much greater degree of security.

As to which "brand" of Live CD to choose, it's hard to go wrong with Knoppix.

It must be stressed however that this would only protect you from malware, that is, software that has been installed on the machine and is designed to capture keystrokes. And that is the biggest threat by far. However, there are devices out there such as KeyGhost which can be physically installed on a machine and which will circumvent the protections a Live CD would otherwise afford you.

So, bring the Live CD, and then check the cable from the keyboard to the computer you're using to make sure nothing out of the ordinary is in between. Of course, such a device could easily be installed inside the case, but that suggests complicity on the part of the cafe operator, which isn't likely.

The hardware hack is going to be performed by a local who sees that lots of gringoes frequent a specific cafe and so then visits the cafe himself to first install the keylogger and then later visits to retrieve it, and with it, all of your keystrokes, including passwords.

To boldly go where no wig has gone before.

dvansickle

Jun 20, 2005, 5:51 PM

Post #4 of 9 (1197 views)

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Re: [dvansickle] Are internet cafes secure?

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Many thanks for the very helpful replies, both on the forum and private. After some consideration, and with some imput from my employer, I have decided to buy a laptop to bring along, which I will be able to use at work next fall. (I'm a teacher). Now my next question is where are there wireless areas in San Miguel? I've heard, I think, about the Bibliotec and the courtyard at Instituto Allende. Others?

David

lbc

Jun 20, 2005, 7:21 PM

Post #5 of 9 (1189 views)

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Re: [dvansickle] Are internet cafes secure?

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on this link I don't see anymore. http://www.ezgoal.com/...less/s.asp?qu=Mexico

johanson / Moderator

Jun 20, 2005, 9:26 PM

Post #6 of 9 (1177 views)

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Re: [dvansickle] Are internet cafes secure?

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There are usually many more wireless hotspots available than are found in these lists. I presume you want wireless because it represents a high speed internet connection. A popular internet cafe, called the CIA (Cafe Internet Ajijic) in my village, for example, offers wireless, but by far the majority who come to the CIA carrying their laptops that they brought with them from NoB, prefer plugging in to a hard wired broadband connection using an Ethernet cable. What's that you say? To confuse you more it consists of 4 twisted pairs and has an RJ45 connection on it.

In lay terms, you may have noticed a receptacle where you could plug in a telephone line (RJ-11 connection) on the back of your computer. Often next to that receptacle, is one that is even wider. That's where you plug in the Ethernet cable (RJ45).

Chances are you will be able to find cyber cafes in most cities of Mexico populated by tourists or local techies that will provide you with a broadband connection for a fee using either an Ethernet cable or wireless. There used to be more Ethernet cable connections than wireless hotspots. That's slowly changing though.

If you don't get a more definitive answer here about specific locations for SMA, try asking over at the SMA forum.

(This post was edited by johanson on Jun 21, 2005, 9:33 AM)

dvansickle

Jun 21, 2005, 4:16 AM

Post #7 of 9 (1168 views)

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Re: [johanson] Are internet cafes secure?

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Thanks for the great information. I am familiar with ethernet in that I use it to connect my DSL modem on my desktop computer, but using a laptop is all new to me, especially wi-fi use. I'll take an ethernet cable along next week, to be prepared. What do I need to know about security settings using an internet cafe's ethernet connection? By the way, your posts to this forum are very clear, organized and helpful. I've been looking through many of them since I discovered this forum. Thanks

David

Brian

Jun 21, 2005, 6:11 AM

Post #8 of 9 (1164 views)

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Re: [dvansickle] Are internet cafes secure?

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Since you will be coming to San Miguel de Allende, you should know that there are several free wireless hotspots in town including the Biblioteca Publica and even in the Jardin. If you prefer to use an ethernet connection, you can ask Roxana Ortiz, the manager of the Biblioteca's Computer Center for assistance in doing so. I would encourage you to attend one of our Computer Club meetings at the Biblioteca. It meets every Tuesday at 10AM. There is no structured format. Rather, people come to the meetings with specific problems or questions which are then solved by the collective expertise of those attending.

dvansickle

Jul 8, 2005, 5:46 PM

Post #9 of 9 (1090 views)

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Re: [Brian] Are internet cafes secure?

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Since I'm now in SMA, I found the easiest thing to do was to take a month's dialup connection from Unisononet. Slow, but affordable for just a month. I'm now buried in Spanish classes, and I don't think I'm going to be able to come up for air. Or learn much Spanish. My aging brain cells are just not cooperating.

Thanks for the advice.

David Van Sickle