When Daniel Carter logged on to a shared computer at a hostel in Rome to check e-mail, he had no idea he was in a hacker's sights. After his trip was over, he discovered someone had hijacked his e-mail account and sent a message to hundreds of his contacts asking for money. “Sorry i did not get you informed about my short trip to london ... i was attacked on my way to the hotel by some hoodlums and they took away all my belongings,” the e-mail said, ending with a plea for money “so i can sort out my hotel bills and fly back home” and a promise of repayment. What happened to Carter is a relatively rare phenomenon. But travelers are especially vulnerable to hackers because they often use computers and Wi-Fi networks in hotel lobbies, cafes and airports. “If you are using an open Wi-Fi network, you are extremely vulnerable,” says computer security consultant Kevin Mitnick. He should know: Mitnick served five years in prison for computer capers that gained him notoriety and prompted an FBI manhunt. Steps to protect your e-mail Create a strong password. Carter says his e-mail was easier to hack because he had a weak password. You might also create a dedicated e-mail account for use on the road, with a password that is different from passwords you use for bank and credit card information. Let your contacts know you'll be using that account while on vacation. If using a shared computer, try to cover your tracks. On Apple's Safari browser, under the Safari menu, toggle “Private Browsing.” On Microsoft's Explorer, when you log off, go to “Tools” and “Delete Browsing History” to remove traces of your passwords and the Web sites you've visited. Wireless hotspots can be just as dangerous — with the hackers monitoring communication from your laptop or other electronic device. You should also disable file-sharing on your laptop, Marcus says. It's also a good idea to turn off Bluetooth, printer-sharing and disable ad hoc network connections. If you want to take your computer security a step up, consider a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. Bill Bullock, co-founder of the VPN service WiTopia, calls such networks “the next weapon in the arsenal” after firewalls and antivirus software. And, if you are computer-savvy, you can even create your own VPN, connecting from the road to your secure computer at home and accessing the Internet through it.
