Australia By Email And Internet

Internet cafes are commonplace in most decent-sized cities in Australia. In most major cities, Internet shops will have booths offering discounted international calling as well. Access to the Internet ranges from as low as free at some libraries and accommodations, to as high as $10 per hour. Coin-operated Internet kiosks are an expensive (usually $2 per 10min.) and common option in cities and hostels. Many public libraries offer free access to the web, though sometimes you are restricted from checking email or must make a reservation with the library beforehand. This guide lists Internet availability in the Practical Information section of towns and cities. Other Internet access points in Australia can be found at www.gnomon.com.au/publications/netaccess. Although in some places it’s possible to forge a remote link with your home server, in most cases this is a much slower (and thus more expensive) option; take advantage of free web-based email accounts such as www.gmail.com or www.hotmail.com.

Increasingly, travelers find that taking their laptop computers on the road with them can be a convenient option for staying connected. Laptop users can call an Internet service provider via modem with a long-distance phone card specifically intended for such calls. They may also find Internet cafes that allow them to connect their laptops to the Internet. Lucky travelers with wireless-enabled computers may be able to take advantage of an increasing number of Internet “hot spots,” where they can get online for free or for a small fee. Newer computers can detect these hot spots automatically; otherwise, websites like www.jiwire.com, www.wififreespot.com, and www.wi-fihotspotlist.com can help you find them. For information on insuring your laptop while traveling,

Wi-Fi Wary. Wireless hot spots make Internet access possible in public and remote places. Unfortunately, they also pose security risks. Hot spots are public, open networks that use unencrypted, unsecured connections. They are susceptible to hacks and “packet sniffing”—ways of stealing passwords and other private information. To prevent problems, disable ad hoc mode, turn off file sharing and network discovery, encrypt your email, turn on your firewall, beware of phony networks, and watch for over-the-shoulder creeps.