USA By Email And Internet

Though in some places it’s possible to forge a remote link with your home server, in most cases this is a much slower (and more expensive) way of checking email than taking advantage of free web-based email accounts (e.g., www.hotmail.com and www.yahoo.com). Internet cafes and free Internet terminals at public libraries or universities are listed in the Practical Information sections of major cities. Prices vary by location but are generally around $2-6 per half-hour. For lists of additional cybercafes, check www.netcafeguide.com or www.cybercafes.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 a modem using long-distance phone cards specifically intended for such calls. They may also find Internet cafes that allow them to connect their laptops to the Internet. And most excitingly, travelers with wireless-enabled computers can take advantage of an increasing number of Internet “hotspots,” where they can get online for free or for a small fee. Newer computers can detect these hotspots automatically; websites like www.jiwire.com, www.wi-fihotspotlist.com, www.locfinder.net, and www.wififreespot.com can help you find them. For information on insuring your laptop while traveling,

Wary Wi-Fi. 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, turn off network discovery, encrypt your e-mail, turn on your firewall, beware of phony networks, and watch for over-the-shoulder creeps. Ask the establishment whose wireless you’re using for the name of the network so you know you’re on the right one. If you are in the vicinity and do not plan to access the Internet, turn off your wireless adapter completely.

More Staying Connected in USA

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.