www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I may need to be paying bills in the US during my visit to SJ. i do not have a laptop and use the hotel lobby computers to check email. Has anyone had a problem after using a public computer to access bank accounts in the States ?

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

Please don't. Would you have sex with a chica without a condom?

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mh

I am going to give you an answer based on my experience as an information security professional since about 1999; Are you crazy???

Just messing with you dude, but I am sincerely trying to help, so here are the facts; there are thousands and thousands of malicious programs that could be installed on an unknown computer that you choose to use that are set up specifically to steal your data. For instance there could be a key stroke logger that will record every stroke of the keypad, including your password. Or you could simply use the save password option where the password is saved as a cookie that someone retrieves later. Or, someone could sniff all that info if its wireless or they could use a SSL Proxy. There are exactly 1 million reasons not to use a public shared computer in a country where id theft could be seen as a lucrative field of endeavor. There are probably only one or two reasons to do so; you don't have laptop and you want the convenience of an on line transaction. So, there you have it. No charge. with the money you have saved in consulting fees and not getting robbed you can probably afford to go buy a Dell Micro for about 350 bucks.

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

Brother TimBones has the best option; the next best is asking a Brother to use theirs, after asking what security precautions they use. BUT NEVER EVER USE A PUBLIC COMPUTER FOR ANYTHING TRULY PRIVATE. I don't normally shout but will about this.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I feel funny checking my bank account on computers (sportmens, morazan ) but never had any problems ...my first few trips I took money out of the bank's atm across from the morazan and did a withdraw at the counter at that same bank so I wanted to check to make sure the amonts were correct (that same atm once ...did everything correct but give me the $300 I tried to get out of it) so I needed to check my balance. So I used the computer at the sportmens....I now bring my laptop on my trips ....if I was in town during the same time as you (and know you are a member here) and got to know you ,,,I would offer you my laptop to use ....same for you feeling safe about it ....maybe get with BKTuna he is someone I feel you can trust ...maybe he could help you....

I connect directly into the modum of my hotel...bypass the router for checking confidential sites. Avoids any possible proxies used for theft.

I guess you take your chances like you do with the women here.

You might be able to pay your bills online from your home computer before you go on your vacation. Most sites even let you set a transaction date in the future.

If you are paying your bills with a credit card (if only while you're away from your secure home computer), then Greengo's suggestion makes great sense--even if they get your password, it's only good for that session. For more on "1-time passwords", see this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-time_password
Better though is the suggestion to do advance bill-paying and avoiding the issue altogether.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Thank-you gentlemen. I am in SJ for only 6 days and so you all have convinced me that I should only check email on the hotel computers. If for some reason I need to access my bank I will try to use one of the brothers' private laptops.
Most of my bills will have been paid before I get there.
Thanks again.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

I would never check email on a public computer either

i got tired of hauling my big laptop with me and went out and got a Gateway Netbook and bought good security software. the netbook was less then $300, and fits in the side pocket of my carry on suitcase. it also fits in the safes at SL.

i have checked email,bank accounts and credit cards from the DR's computers never had a problem.My bank and cc company knows when its not my home computer and the security questions start.I doubt scammers know all the answers to my questions or which ones will be asked.While bad things could happen usung a sl/dr computer on a limited basis i feel is safe-but i'm no expert just leting you know I had no problems.

These 'scammers' can be key logging your questions. Do what you want, but the risk does remain and it is real.

CVCap you are right but as Mike321 says there are some safe guards provided by the bank and CC companies.
I have decided after reading all the advice provided here to do NO online banking but take a chance on checking my email. It is just ordinary personal stuff anyway.
Thanks again all.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

I do computer security for a living, banks governement BIG companies and the simple answer is NO! I would be careful even with email on those computers

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The sexiest part of the human body? The brain.