Is it safe to log onto eb/pp abroad?

[andyf777]

Hi all,

I'm going abroad for a week soon and would liek to know if its safe to log onto ebay/pp abroad? I wont be using public computers so the cookies will be no problem (my own laptop) but i'll be using a foreign ip address.

Also, has anyone got any input on the ebay and pp app for the blackberry (UK and abroad use)

Many thanks in advance!

[GrannyT]

Yes of course it is a risk, having said that any dealings with EB and PP are a risk. The fact that your cookies etc will be intact will help but personally, unless your account is as rock solid as it is possible to be, it's something I wouldn't do.

We went to Ireland last week and overnighted in a hotel near Kilarney that offered Wi-Fi but I stayed well away from EB and PP

There is no guarantee either way but as I said - I wouldn't

[FizzyFish]

I used PP to pay for a room in advance when I was out of the country recently. I used a borrowed laptop and the place that I was staying in's free wi-fi. The transaction went through but my account was then limited - I got a message asking me for my ID etc because of suspicious activity. I assume it was a combination of no cookies and the foreign IP.

I signed into ebay and had no problems - but I didn't really do anything I was just checking messages.

If you can get away with it I would try to avoid accessing both if you can. As Granny T says there are no guarantees!

[andyf777]

Thanks for the replies. Yes its a bit of a tough decision for me as I need to be able to answer my customers messages to avoid any negs etc. But at the same time is it worth risking the account for the sake of a few messages?! I think not.

I might use the holiday mode/auto email reply to be on the safe side.

Any further advice much appreciated!

[NoneOther]

Originally Posted by andyf777

Thanks for the replies. Yes its a bit of a tough decision for me as I need to be able to answer my customers messages to avoid any negs etc. But at the same time is it worth risking the account for the sake of a few messages?! I think not.

I might use the holiday mode/auto email reply to be on the safe side.

Any further advice much appreciated!

Don't put any faith in the holiday mode settings, more often than not they don't work and have resulted in quite a few sellers coming unstuck as a result.

My advice - don't have anything listed while your away or have someone back home who can deal with your business in your absence.

[Ultimate]

Yes, it is risky...it will work, but anyway - risky. I always on abraod trips leave my ebay/paypal computer ON in home and use remote logging from iPad, i know with this method that I minimize risk.

[resilient]

Originally Posted by Ultimate

Yes, it is risky...it will work, but anyway - risky. I always on abraod trips leave my ebay/paypal computer ON in home and use remote logging from iPad, i know with this method that I minimize risk.

Sounds like a good idea. VPN is another solution which will make EB, PP think you are logging from your country!

But what if you have a few stealths and have to change the IP which requires modem restart? You log into your pc remotely, change the MAC on your router and then what? How do you reset your modem remotely?

I found a power socket plug that can be switched on/off remotely by a text message! Costs about £120. I guess one could plug the modem in it and restart it from abroad by text and voila: new IP.
This could be one solution I guess. It really depends how valuable your business it to you to go to these lengths!

[GrannyT]

Originally Posted by resilient

I found a power socket plug that can be switched on/off remotely by a text message! Costs about £120. I guess one could plug the modem in it and restart it from abroad by text and voila: new IP.
This could be one solution I guess. It really depends how valuable your business it to you to go to these lengths!

Technology hurts my head!

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by andyf777

Thanks for the replies. Yes its a bit of a tough decision for me as I need to be able to answer my customers messages to avoid any negs etc. But at the same time is it worth risking the account for the sake of a few messages?! I think not.

I might use the holiday mode/auto email reply to be on the safe side.

Any further advice much appreciated!

Try the auto email reply if you want everything to flop.

Last Easter two accounts had problems. It's nowhere ear as reliable as it was 3 years ago.

If you have no 'deputy' to work for you, then I suggest pulling your listings.
Place big signs on the account Away etc etc etc. The aside to a delayed delivery is a big bad ding to DSRs

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by resilient

Sounds like a good idea. VPN is another solution which will make EB, PP think you are logging from your country!

Yeah, cr*p advice.

What user would risk using VPN for holidays

[NoneOther]

Originally Posted by resilient

I found a power socket plug that can be switched on/off remotely by a text message! Costs about £120. I guess one could plug the modem in it and restart it from abroad by text and voila: new IP.
This could be one solution I guess. It really depends how valuable your business it to you to go to these lengths!

Bet you've got a watch with a built in laser beam too

[rsot]

@resilient, what is this pocker socket that responds to text?

[FizzyFish]

But what if you have a few stealths and have to change the IP which requires modem restart? You log into your pc remotely, change the MAC on your router and then what? How do you reset your modem remotely?

Yes - it is possible.

If you login remotely - you should have the same user rights as a person actually sitting in front of the computer.

Depends how far away your computer is, but I have found it to be painfully slow using remote login. Think early 90's dial up and you may get an idea...

If you have no 'deputy' to work for you, then I suggest pulling your listings.

And remember that not everyone pays on time. I pulled all my listings last time I went away. Then someone who had been dragging his heels with payment suddenly paid the day I left! Luckily that was the only outstanding transaction - but don't forget about any unpaid items!

I agree that you should pull everything early. Then you can forget about e Bay completely when you are away...and relax and enjoy not staring at a screen all day.