Thread: Computer and cellphone safety abroad

Next week we are flying to Riga, Latvia for week's holiday. Every now and then we read stories in the newspapers and hear on tv about computers being hacked within a few minutes after arriving in former Eastern Bloc countries.
Are they true? And if so, is there an effective way of protecting laptops and cell phones or is it better to leave them at home?

I would advise staying off public wifi if possible, I know it's easier to do with cell phones than with laptops. If your cell provides the means for tethering, IE sharing its data connection with other devices, that may be more to your advantage. If not then there are options that one can consider.. VPN is one of the better ones. There are also public proxy servers as well. Then there is also TOR as well, been around a good bit and its one I have used overseas before. TOR basically reroutes your traffic over various servers and makes it look like your IP is from somewhere else .. Either way YMMV..

Do not connect to a password less network

If Your going on Vacation,Leave the cell and the laptop at home

Yep, but I assume he wants to stay connected

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

If Your going on Vacation,Leave the cell and the laptop at home

You forgot to mention that they should be left wrapped in aluminum foil!

Originally Posted by Utopian

You forgot to mention that they should be left wrapped in aluminum foil!

Why wrap them in tinfoil?

You're going on holiday's, what do you need a phone and computer for?! Leave them at home, it's a break you'll be sure not to regret.

Originally Posted by Kees

Next week we are flying to Riga, Latvia for week's holiday. Every now and then we read stories in the newspapers and hear on tv about computers being hacked within a few minutes after arriving in former Eastern Bloc countries.
Are they true? And if so, is there an effective way of protecting laptops and cell phones or is it better to leave them at home?

Been many times here and there around Baltic States, also in Riga. Never had any problems with my cell or laptop even when connected to public wifi networks. In the cities there's pretty good coverage of free public networks. If you want to be sure, check that your virus programmes are updated. If still suspicious, use only the network provided by your hotel/motel or leave your gizmos home.

Riga is a beautiful city, also known as Little Paris. Do not forget to visit the old town, Emils Gustavs choco cafeteria (they have almost the best chocolade in the world) and if you have time, visit also in Jūrmala beach. And most important: do not forget to taste Riga Balsam. Latvian women are really something to rest your eyes

Originally Posted by Sailor

Been many times here and there around Baltic States, also in Riga. Never had any problems with my cell or laptop even when connected to public wifi networks. In the cities there's pretty good coverage of free public networks. If you want to be sure, check that your virus programmes are updated. If still suspicious, use only the network provided by your hotel/motel or leave your gizmos home.

Riga is a beautiful city, also known as Little Paris. Do not forget to visit the old town, Emils Gustavs choco cafeteria (they have almost the best chocolade in the world) and if you have time, visit also in Jūrmala beach. And most important: do not forget to taste Riga Balsam. Latvian women are really something to rest your eyes

Great to hear it is safe for computers there. I heard a similar story from a patient whose husband had visited Lithuania. I'll be going with the missus so I'll leave the women to you.