Re: network privacy question

"Jim" <jim-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:qxoRa.58580$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Our local library has a network to access the
> internet. One option is to use one of their
> computers at the library. The other option is
> bring your own laptop into the library and plug
> into the network.
>
> My question relates to privacy. Let's say I want
> to do some trading of stocks with a stock
> brokerage (Scottrade) that is connected to the
> internet. I have to give an account number and
> then a password to access my account. I get the
> "lock" icon on Internet Explorer indicating a
> secure connection. If I do that on the library's
> network, is that private, or can they monitor
> something so that they could get the information
> to access my account.
>
> If this isn't the correct newsgroup to be asking
> the question. I would appreciate a pointer to the
> correct newsgroup.
>
> Thank you,
> Jim

More likely than not, it's fairly secure. Somebody might be able to get
your information, but they would have had to install a keystroke capture
program, or "hack" the PC after you use it, of course they know somehow that
you have accessed those pages. They can easily log where people go, and
from what PC they came, or they can log every bit that comes in and out, but
any information they get is illegal to use. That shouldn't stop anybody
who's truly determined, but if somebody went in and screwed up my stocks
(not that I have any or cost me money or something of that nature, I
would be mad, and even if they went to jail for a few years, that wouldn't
make me happy unless the trading company would be willing to undo their
damage. That would be giving me back those stocks in the amount of shares
and prices I had, and waiving any and all fees the hacker added to my
account. That would be fine, but it shouldn't have happened to start with.

Then again, I work in a private library (college), and I know that the only
security we have is a porn blocker and a program that forbids use of certain
functions (Control Panel, start > run, and actually the only thing that
works from start is shut down....but windows key + ? somekey combinations
WORK) and they also don't allow any changes to be made. It appears that the
user may have changed something, but it is a dumb save, it won't keep, the
software restores the PC back to how it was before the last login. Also,
every guest is required to sign in and give a name for their account. We
had a problem one time when someone took credit for an account by using a
fake name and then sent out e-mails to our professors asking them to sign up
for a professor rating website, which was all a big hoax, and cost them.
Luckily nobody was dumb enough, but it did expose a security hole: people!

I would bring my laptop, but if I truly had to use their PCs, I would make
sure that you need to login, and that a username/password can only be given
to 1 person, and ID is required for a username/password to be given. That
would eliminate most chances or somebody from the general public getting
your information. I would also login, go to a web page, logout, login, and
check the history. If you site is there, don't use it. If it isn't, then
you are almost safe. The only trouble can come from an employee. I can't
say those are trust worthy either. It so happens that one of the library
employees a few years back had the exact same name as an unfortunate
student, and stole his identity. He was fired, but it's still not a good
thing.

Then again you can ask what type of security they have installed.

Strangely, I think public libraries aren't allowed to use web-site filters,
some dumb freedom law that lets sick perverts look at pornography and
masturbate while children are mere feet away (no exageration about the porn
and masturbation thing....)