OK, I had confirmation. I wasn't just "being paranoid" ... but I now faced a dilemma.

There's no denying convenience of public computers, especially when away from home. However, acknowledging serious security risks forced me into one of two choices: *never* use public Internet computers, or try to figure out a "secure" way to use them.

I'll offer what I consider a secure strategy for using public computers.

First off, there are several "high risk" activities I wouldn't do on these computers. I would never use a public Internet computer to do online banking, make purchases, or do anything that involved potentially compromising financial information. Many companies allow you to check your work email account through a web page; again think twice before doing this on a public computer.

A Secure Strategy for Public Computers:

When I'm away, I use public computers for two purposes only:

1. Read favorite websites 2. Check my personal web email account.

To ensure my privacy and security, I do following:

- Before I leave for my trip, I change my email password to something else, basically anything I'll remember while I'm away.

- As soon as I return, I change my password to a new password, or back to what it was prior to leaving for trip.

What's advantage of this strategy?

Since I don't know how secure these computers are to begin with, I realize that I'm taking a risk by using them in first place. At same time, I'm mitigating risk by limiting what I'll do on computer (i.e. only check personal email and not access any information that would potentially reveal financial information).

In event that my email account and "travel" password are recorded, I've already changed password to something else. This strategy has worked well for me, allayed my paranoia, and allowed me to stay in contact when away from home.

Of course, you *could* use this "strategy" for any account and password (think banking, websites with user accounts, etc.). My prudent paranoia just can't allow me to recommend this strategy for anything financial.

Here's to practicing safe computing.

"You have to be careful", Johan says, in middle of a new hand. "Internet poker is twice as fast as live poker, so money comes and goes just as quickly".

"Damn, he caught an Ace on river", Johann shouts. "Lost 30 bucks on that hand. Well, well, easy come, easy go"

Johan started off playing poker at high school, but unlike most of us, didn't quit playing this great game.

He has since high school days dreamt of watching "big boys" play, so he bought himself a plane ticket to Las Vegas at tender age of 21. In Las Vegas he discovered poker game of Texas Holdem.

He introduced game to his poker buddies in Danemark, and game of Five Card Draw was dead and buried for ever.

Johan just returned from his seventh trip to The Sin City. "It's same routine every time", he says. Straight in to Hotel Mirage, dumping off suitcases, and heading straight to poker room.

He never gambles in casino. Just plays true poker, and spends majority of his vacation time playing tournament poker. To him, this is best holiday any unmarried guy can have.

His goal every time is to win equivalent of airplane and hotel costs. He has managed that last four times, but haven't won a big tournament yet.

True Poker Guide

Webmaster for TRUE POKER GUIDE A website providing information on rules and strategies for all poker games played at home, online and in casinos today.