info@pyc.net
Newsletter Archive

Room for Caution
June 2005

When using other computers at a hotel or other public places, make sure you take steps to protect your information from being stolen. Here are some valuable security tips that help protect your money, privacy and identity when you are travelling.

Computers

Be careful when using computers at hotel business centres, Internet cafes, airport business centres, trade shows, conference centres and other places that provide computer access. Unscrupulous individuals who want to steal your password, and possibly your identity, could easily install various kinds of software and hardware that can essentially record everything that happens - every key you press and every screen you see. Even if they only steal the password for your remote access to your company's system, they can hack in and cause some damage.

Also remember that normal programs like Internet Explorer and Word automatically store records of what you do. If you simply type in a Word document and print it without ever saving it, a recoverable copy may well be left on the hard drive for the next user to access.

Be aware that some printers have storage capacities and may be able to reprint your documents after you leave. If you need to use a printer when travelling, switch it off for a minute and then turn it back on after you're finished using it. In most cases, this will clear the memory and reduce the possibility of your work being compromised.

Wireless Internet Access

An increasing number of hotels are providing free wireless access to the Internet. While this is convenient, it also means you will be broadcasting everything to and from your computer. Anyone within range can record those signals and reproduce your activities. If you need to use such a connection, the safest way is to establish a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection to your company network and then use the VPN connection. VPN connections are encrypted from your computer back to your company network, so the probability of having your work intercepted is greatly reduced.

When using your computer in public areas, shut off your wireless communication ports. This includes your infrared, Bluetooth and WiFi (including Centrino) features. If they are open, they can be a way of either losing data or having someone attempt to put a rogue program into your computer.

More Security Tips

Remember that a computer left in your room or car can be stolen or even have its hard drive copied. Consider keeping your confidential documents on a removable flash-memory device. If you choose to do this, ask your IT people to modify your software to use the flash memory device for temporary files and back-up copies, to avoid leaving traces on the hard drive.

Discarding a confidential document in a trash can is not a secure way of getting rid of it. Ask if the business centre has a cross-cut shredder. Or ask to use such a device at a company you are visiting. Until you find a shredder, it is better to carry the unneeded documents with you.

When talking on your cell phone in public areas, keep your voice down, and don't say anything you would not want overheard. This is equally true on trains and airplanes. You can almost always get your message across without revealing confidential information (for example, by referring to "the client I visited yesterday" instead of using the company name).

It Couldn't Happen to Me