[Midnite Toker]

I gathered together a bunch of portable Internet programs and tools to check out the computer you're using in an Internet café. As well as portable versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, Pidgin (formerly Gaim) and CCleaner, I added a number of other programs which will make the use of a public computer a safer and more secure experience.

There are two versions - one for the more technical types, which includes KeePass, Neo's SafeKeys, KeyScrambler, TCP View, Hostess and ClamWin AV, and another for the ungeeky (ordinary users who just want to send messages, check online banking, etc) which has only KeePass secure password store and Neo's SafeKeys (an onscreen keyboard which is much safer to use when there might be keyboard-event-logging "trojan horses" on the computer, unlike Windows' built-in mouse keyboard). Each should give you a layer of protection from password-stealing software installed on the computer you are using, and each will run from your USB flash drive without being logged in as an administrator.



Shown above is the "Breeze," or basic version. Both versions have my own help document (16 pages in PDF) with guidance for the programs' use, and other tips on staying safe online.

It's all contained in a little launcher, which speeds up selecting the various programs. It is entirely free to use and contains free and - as far as possible - open-source software. I'll update it regularly as new versions of the major programs (Firefox, Thunderbird and Pidgin) come out.

Read more about it and download the program bundle here.

[priya]

Hi MT -

Thanks for that, and welcome, finally, to the Tree. Did you forget you'd registered with us?

Now you've broken the ice, we look forward to reading more posts!

[Midnite Toker]

priya, on May 5 2008, 03:21 PM, said:

Hi MT -

Thanks for that, and welcome, finally, to the Tree. Did you forget you'd registered with us?

Hello, Priya, and thanks for the welcome.

No, I didn't forget that I'd registered here. I'd wondered if you had a policy of pruning inactive accounts, so thought I'd better get in before you dropped me and allowed someone else to register the Midnite Toker handle in order to spread cruel and brutal untruths...

Also, I wanted as many travellers as possible to know about this little software bundle. There are real risks involved in using Internet cafés anywhere, and forewarned is forearmed.

[cyberhippie]

Hallo Toker Ji nice to see you out and about in cyberspace.
You've got mail.!

[Midnite Toker]

Hello, cyber.

Great to hear your trip's going well - but do take it easy on those sharp corners in the Parvati valley.

cafeKlysm is especially prescribed for those dodgy 'Net cafés you'll be using out there.

cyberhippie, on May 7 2008, 08:02 AM, said:

Hallo Toker Ji nice to see you out and about in cyberspace.
You've got mail.!

[jjacquemain]

Thanks for the info MT and it's really nice to see that you are still out and about!

[Midnite Toker]

Hi there, jjacquemain! Memories of times passed, eh?

Like me, you seem to be an occasional visitor to this "tree." But you're a less-than-occasional visitor to India still, I hope...