How Safe are Internet Cafes?

[pward33]

Hi all,

Having had problems with my home PC, I have been accessing one of my eBay accounts from an internet café, but it has just occurred to me that this could pose potential dangers; if someone else has used the same café and their account has been suspended for whatever reason, there’s surely at least a theoretical risk my account could end up linked to theirs!

Then I started thinking, surely eBay know that many people use public computers (work etc) and wondered, do they really link/suspend accounts JUST on the basis of IP addresses? Surely that would lead to unfair suspensions and mistakes right left and centre.

Do they not require at least a modicum of corroborating evidence of linkage?
I’m concerned now about using internet cafes and even the college computer – I was wondering, has anyone in practice here been suspended through using public computers? Just how real a danger is it…? Just a thought….

[kronengriffharry]

Good question.
I got suspended last year with one account. I had public access is a mall because I used to work there.
Some of my friends logged into their accounts as well even from the same computer. They are not suspended.

[Imakemoney]

BAD IDEA. You've answered your own question here.

Dont do it again if you value the account. Not worth the risk

[ryanba]

It should be fine - first of all your name, address, DOB will all be different the only things that might be the same are cookies, flash cookies and the IP address, but then do they clear them off? the IP address might change daily?

[BiN4RY]

Horrible idea, avoid it.

Think about it, if you can log into your eBay account, what makes you think others cannot log into their suspended accounts as well?

[rsot]

Not to mention potential presence of keyloggers and other bad stuff - people OFTEN use public comps to check in on suspended stuff...

[JRYAN34]

about as safe as a vegas hooker

[eBay King]

A long time ago, I used to go to the library for over 2 years, almost daily to check on my accounts. I ran many eBay's but connected to only one PP back then and did not have problems.

It was when I was "forced" to go stealth with many PP's that problems occured. I.P. Addresses played a major role in that.

These days, I would not even think about logging in and managing the accounts I did back then as opposed to now.

For a one off time, you may get away with it. You seem smart enough to know what PP and eBay are like with tracking, etc... I hope it is all ok.

[Road-Kill]

I'm at the library right now setting accounts up. Too hard to resist, free access, fast connection.

I like living dangerously

[Imakemoney]

Some may call it foolish but hey if it works for you...

[download3000]

Not even gona lie but i find that when i use my Schools wifi and make ebay account with this connection(keep in mind that there is 1 ip and it has not changed in 2years) these accounts are always the strongest. So i think it all depends.

[pward33]

Interesting and helpful responses as ever, thanks guys.

[rsot]

@download3000 - you using comps that have NEVER had pp/eb on them before? regardless of ip...

[Road-Kill]

Lot's of the public PC's auto-delete cookies and flash each log-on. Some just cookies. These usually won't let you access history etc.

Other PC's let you access everything and show 100's of E-Bay users. With those you can manually wipe out what you want to.

[oompaloompa]

'a modicum of corroborating evidence of linkage?' pward you are my kind of forumer......

check ip differs by going on different days, some businesses have static ips....I think logging in on a established account might be ok subject to the usual pin verification due to lack of cookies, but not sure if I would make an account there, or access paypal there either, just due to security, I have logged in at coffee shops, even hotels abroad occasionally, no issues...regular users do regular things....I prefer my own laptop with dongle when about town, and its a good back up if your PC or wifi is ever down IMO....