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Public access computers in Internet access
Public access computers in Internet access
The simplest form of access for the broadest range of users are computers made available to the public, usually for a fee or included as a service for patrons of a hotel, restaurant, or cafe. These are often available even the most remote regions of the world, often driven by local demand for access to the Internet. In fact, they are often most common in areas where private, individual access to the Internet is least common. However, there can be difficulties:
The only application you can generally count on being fully functional is a web browser but there are times that some plug-ins in them may be disabled. You will want to make sure you can use a web interface to read your email. They may lack support to connect your camera, to use Skype or MSN, or to read IMAP/POP based email.
In many places, language is an issue. Even if you know Windows well, using an Arabic or Chinese version will probably pose problems. Usually you can get a web browser to work, but not much else. Also, it is worth it to be familiar with the keyboard layout of the country you are in as the position of some punctuation keys differ, even if their language is the same as in your home country.
Security is also an issue, as a cafe computers could potentially deploy a keyloggers and other nasty forms of spyware to capture passwords. If particularly concerned about using public computers, changing passwords frequently can help provide some security: especially if passwords can be changed without using public computers. Public libraries are a good source of public access computers that should be generally trustworthy. Avoid using important passwords on a public computer. If you are saving or downloading a file, transfer it to your memory stick/thumb drive and delete the file on the computer's hard drive after use; while some computers automatically do this others do not.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Internet access
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Internet access - updated May 2024
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Internet access Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.