I access my BTC and other wallets on Public Internet Cafe

[Ayiranorea]

I know it is not secure to use public internet Cafe Computers for accessing the wallets and for transaction needs. At times I don't have any other option than just using it. I would like to know, is there any software available to record the input data entered while accessing the wallet. Recently one of my friend informed about such a way to know the private keys. Is there anyone here have any such experience.

[pawanjain]

Yes there is and its called as Keylogger which stores every single key you have pressed on your keyboard and also takes the screenshot of the screen.
Also there are some advanced tools which also copies the data from your clipboard which means if you copy the private key then it will be stored by the tool.

Using cyber cafes is extremely risky and makes your wallet vulnerable. You can simply use your smartphone instead.
It will provide a better security when compared to cyber cafes.


@Royse777 haha I was waiting for such a comment

P.S: I have used a Keylogger myself to track my borther's windows password and damn I was successful in owning his system 

[AB de Royse777]

Well if they insert a keyloger then they can trace what sorts of things you typed. Also they can trace the copy pasted contents.
It's really not recommended to use public internet cafe.

You will be taking too much risk.

@pawanjain, you were a minute faster than me :-P

[ashmodeus]

well , about 6 years ago , before crypto booming,
I have a bad temper, i put some keylogger to every internet cafe on my location.
i just using that for get facebook account and email to get free zynga poker chips , then i sell it.
well, about keylogger work, i tell u, that program can track anything u do,
where u go, what u login for,etc.
so , i guess, better u using ur smartphone or u got caught by thieft.
and also , dont even to try using free wifi for transaction like that.
since as far i knew, even from wifi can be tracked, well , even keyloggers can evolve.

[dothebeats]

Or the one controlling all the PCs in the internet cafe. the server could snoop into what you're doing and record whatever it is that's on your screen and also your keystrokes. Usually I don't resort to public internet cafes to enter my personal bank accounts or any other sensitive data/passwords that I have. This is asking for trouble in plain sight, without any regard for the security of your private data and other sensitive stuff.

I'm pretty sure you have your mobile phone to open your wallets, no?

[ivakar]

Or the one controlling all the PCs in the internet cafe. the server could snoop into what you're doing and record whatever it is that's on your screen and also your keystrokes. Usually I don't resort to public internet cafes to enter my personal bank accounts or any other sensitive data/passwords that I have. This is asking for trouble in plain sight, without any regard for the security of your private data and other sensitive stuff.

I'm pretty sure you have your mobile phone to open your wallets, no?

yeap, they can do it because of security reasons or whatever they want to call it.
so this is really not very good idea. it is just an open apartment with some money in the cabinet..
so maybe no one enter and search, but maybe you're already in danger..

also because cafe may ask for personal data, then bad guy could have them, and your passwords and email.
I'd say potentially this is very high risk

[febriyana]

That is risky, maybe the OP can see and record what you doing. Maybe the computer already installed keylogger.

That is depend wallet you use.
If use web wallet, please make sure use private tab.
Delete cache, cookies, and history on your browser.

If use desktop wallet, don't forget to set password and logout from your wallet. Save your private key / recovery phrase on paper, never inform anyone about it. That is backup to recover if something wrong with your wallet.

[DireWolfM14]

A secure VPN client could keep you protected.  I never use public wifi without VPN.  If you are accessing your hot wallet, the phone is a better option (as long as you're only connected to you're carrier's internet, not wifi.)  Using a hardware wallet will keep all your private keys safe regardless of whether the network or your computer is infected.

[Anonylz]

Man are just inviting trouble to yourself! already you mentioned you know this action is very risky so no need to tell you how risky this action is and what could be a possible outcome if someone get hold of your password, i think its better you change the that habit an use your personal device to access your account, i hope you follow some good suggestions above, better to be safe than be sorry.

[NeuroticFish]

internet Cafe Computers

Since you use their computers, it's the worse:
* They can record all you type.
* They can keep screenshots (or movie) of everything you've done.
* They can keep copies of all the files you've been using.
* Or they can have software (or malware) installed by others doing this (so you don't even have proper basis to sue them).

Partly off topic, but let's say you use other's WiFi with your computer or smartphone: they can read all the data sent/received by you and may get from there a lot of info (including the passwords of certain accounts).


So basically you should be a bit more paranoid if you have coins you don't want to lose.

[spadormie]

You should be careful in Internet Cafe in accessing your bitcoins. Since it is public, anybody can see what you're doing and also you should look for some keyloggers. If that day, you access to your wallet, you should consider rebooting the pc you used since some keyloggers doesn't work if the computer gets rebooted. Since it is a public internet cafe, it is in 'deep freeze' mode. In which the computer forgets all the downloads you did. Since, keylogger isn't installed in the first place, the hacker couldn't get priv keys and important things to access your wallet.

[bitbunnny]

This example shows us one again how little people care and know about security. We definetely need more education. To access your wallets from public computer in some cafe is equaly insecure like to access your mobile or internet banking so there is possibility for someone to steal your personal or financial data and empty your wallets and accounts.
People should be much more careful. Once your coins are stolen you will not be able to get them back.

[gentlemand]

I would be exceedingly reluctant to access the junkiest account I had let alone a wallet on a public machine.

If there really is no alternative at least use an on screen keyboard and some sort of VPN, you can get free ones. Even then whoever's running it might be able to see what's on your screen.

[MFahad]

Or the one controlling all the PCs in the internet cafe. the server could snoop into what you're doing and record whatever it is that's on your screen and also your keystrokes. Usually I don't resort to public internet cafes to enter my personal bank accounts or any other sensitive data/passwords that I have. This is asking for trouble in plain sight, without any regard for the security of your private data and other sensitive stuff.

I'm pretty sure you have your mobile phone to open your wallets, no?

So why did they build the 2fa for ? If every important site of yours (Online wallets / Bank accounts and gmails) are 2fa enabled then these key loggers will no longer hack your account. They may get into first level of the security but they cannot bypass the 2fa.
Anyways, its still not recommended, but if you had no other option (as OP mentioned) then 2fa can give you some security.

[Jet Cash]

I think you are more at risk using Windows 10 with its Cortana keylogger, than you are using public WiFi. If you are worried, then keep your coins in an offline wallet, and only spend coins from a trading wallet using a Linux based system.

[senin]

well , about 6 years ago , before crypto booming,
I have a bad temper, i put some keylogger to every internet cafe on my location.
i just using that for get facebook account and email to get free zynga poker chips , then i sell it.
well, about keylogger work, i tell u, that program can track anything u do,
where u go, what u login for,etc.
so , i guess, better u using ur smartphone or u got caught by thieft.
and also , dont even to try using free wifi for transaction like that.
since as far i knew, even from wifi can be tracked, well , even keyloggers can evolve.

I know that using computers in public places is very dangerous in terms of the ability to copy any information that a visitor enters. However, I did not think that free Wi-Fi distribution points have the same danger. Although, if logically reasoned, then indeed, information on Wi-Fi should be very easy to intercept. Therefore, you need to use either your laptop or mobile phone. However, they are easy to kidnap if you carry them around with you all the time. Even if the secret keys are password-protected, they can be easily cracked without any difficulty, because they will be simple. Yes, apparently, security when working with cryptocurrency will always be the number one issue.

[virasog]

I think you are more at risk using Windows 10 with its Cortana keylogger, than you are using public WiFi. If you are worried, then keep your coins in an offline wallet, and only spend coins from a trading wallet using a Linux based system.

Is there is a way to turn off the Cortana keylogger ? Majority of the people have windows operating system and many even does not know how to use a Linux based system. We need to find a way to be secure even when using a windows 10 Operating system.

[darkangel11]

I think you are more at risk using Windows 10 with its Cortana keylogger, than you are using public WiFi. If you are worried, then keep your coins in an offline wallet, and only spend coins from a trading wallet using a Linux based system.

Did he say anything about using public wifi? I thought he's using an internet cafe, with computers available to the public.

Anybody can install anything on these computers and if you go there and log in to your online wallet or exchange account you're going to be at risk.
Not only should you never use such computers to trade cryptocurrency but you also should not use your bank account and even access mailbox.

Some people, especially in Japan and Korea work from these places but I wouldn't dare to put my company email at risk this way.

[gunhell16]

I am totally against on opening any wallet in any computer cafe. as there are some or mostly cafe which as key loggers which is not safe to anyone.
If you do that thing then you are an airdroper or a new o=bounty participants.
Because if you are staying here and doing this for a long time then you have enough money to buy even a cheap computer right>
NoW! doing those things is legal but you are putting your self at  risk.
IF i were you i will never do those things again!

[scambust]

If you have no other choice but to use other people's computers like the very public and probably full of trojans Internet cafe PCs, I suggest you bring your own bootable USB with a Linux OS. That's what I do to isolate some wallets. You just plug it in and you have your own desktop and harddrive source. I use Ubuntu. These Linux USB drives have universal drivers for video, audio, and network.