Don’t do it.
Recent news reports have indicated that the use of keystroke loggers — software or hardware devices installed on the workstation that capture every keystroke — can enable thieves to obtain user names and passwords, bank account numbers, passwords and PIN info, or even credit card numbers, including expiration dates and security codes. Depending on how the systems are set up, these items may also be captured within the network locally.
Sometimes the entity that supplies the workstations — the hotel or airline — doesn’t even know this is being done, because an unscrupulous IT contractor may be responsible.
So the next time you’re sitting at a public workstation or kiosk, only use these devices for Web browsing, viewing documents and other low-level activities. Never enter banking or credit card information.
Mr. Jenkins, PhD, is founder and CEO of QSE Technologies, which provides IT consulting services for ASCs and other medical facilities nationwide. Learn more about QSE Technologies at www.qsetech.com.
