| It is very common these days for travelers to | | | | virus, making it safe to use later. |
| spend considerable time in internet cafes while | | | | Another option is to travel with a non-Microsoft |
| traveling overseas. You will find internet cafes in | | | | operating system on your laptop. Most viruses |
| almost every popular tourist destination around | | | | target computers running Microsoft operating |
| the world. They are popular with people seeking | | | | systems. There are a number of alternatives |
| to check their email, plot their next destination, | | | | available and most will be far less vulnerable to |
| and to download pictures from their cameras. | | | | computer viruses. Using a "safe" computer will let |
| The problem is that most of these internet cafes | | | | you clean and delete infected files from your |
| are usually set up for a quick profit and are | | | | various flash drives and memory cards. |
| usually not maintained very well. As a result, the | | | | However, if you are running a typical Windows PC |
| computers become ideal hosts for dangerous | | | | or laptop, it is important to install several layers of |
| computer viruses. | | | | security. First, make sure you have a fairly recent |
| The virus ridden computers may be slow and | | | | anti-virus program. If you haven't downloaded |
| crash prone, but they are usually not dangerous | | | | updates for your anti-virus program in a while, |
| to you if all you are doing is checking email. You | | | | then your anti-virus program isn't doing you any |
| should be careful to avoid using your credit cards | | | | good. Make sure you have installed all available |
| on-line or accessing any confidential sites at these | | | | anti-virus updates. |
| places because there is a good chance that your | | | | Simply running an anti-virus program isn't good |
| passwords and other account information are | | | | enough anymore. The viruses are getting too |
| being monitored or recorded by the viruses. | | | | sophisticated and crafty. All it takes is for one |
| The danger comes when you plug in your camera | | | | computer virus to get through your defenses. |
| or USB flash drive to these infected machines. | | | | They will often disable your anti-virus program or |
| Most of the typical computer viruses at these | | | | make it think it is still working, even though you |
| establishments will immediately infect your USB | | | | are now wide open to infection. |
| drive and camera. Usually they will not damage | | | | Some anti-virus programs offer additional layers |
| your photos but that is not always the case. The | | | | of protection and will automatically block new, |
| main problem comes when you next plug in your | | | | unknown programs from running. These |
| camera or USB drive to your own laptop or | | | | anti-executable features are very powerful |
| computer. The virus will immediately infect and | | | | against the type of viruses you can catch from |
| mess up your computer. | | | | internet cafes. There are also a number of |
| If you would like to avoid these types of | | | | stand-alone "anti-executable" type programs that |
| problems, there are a few things you can do. For | | | | you can install for additional layers of security. |
| photos, you can often hand your memory card | | | | It is hard enough to avoid picking up strange |
| to the internet cafe shop owner and have them | | | | diseases while traveling overseas. The last thing |
| create a CD with your photos on it. Immediately | | | | you want to do is bring home a computer virus |
| after doing so, you can put the memory card in | | | | as well. With simple planning and precautions, it is |
| your camera and format it. This will erase | | | | possible to avoid both fates. |
| everything on the memory stick, including the | | | | |