Internet Abuse in Cyber cafes: Possible solutions
Security is a key issue on the internet today. Browsing the internet often comes with security risks that some internet users are not even aware of.
Your internet security risks increases drastically if you surf the internet using public PCs also known as Cyber Cafes.
What are Cyber cafes ?
A Cyber cafe can be described as a place where internet applications are accessible to the public. Customers purchase airtime in order to have access to the internet via PCs available in the internet cafe LAN network. The airtime contains a password for logging into the PC.
Why Cyber Cafes ? Any benefits today ?
Cyber Cafes have grown in popularity since their emergence. This popularity is predicated on their capacity to offer relatively cheap, immediate and convenient access to the internet. The cost of Internet at cyber cafes is relatively low and varies between countries.
Although the advent of mobile devices like Smartphones and Tablets have made visiting cyber cafes less attractive, there are still some transactions that require laptops and desktops and if you don’t own one going to a cyber cafe becomes important.
This sharp drop in number and patronage notwithstanding, because not all users can afford internet access through mobile and other personal devices, existing and functioning cyber cafes have continued to enjoy some measure of patronage.
As is the case in other parts of the world, they are used for their traditional purposes of researching, sending and accessing emails, communicating, job search and application, to mention but few.
The Dangers of using cybercafes ?
Most Cyber cafes often employ staff who are unskilled, with little or no IT knowledge as they are cheaper labor. While many of the cafes have anti-malware applications, few regularly update them . And in most cyber Cafes, properly written policies guiding activities of users are often not available or even when available are not enforced properly.
This makes the policies of little to no positive effects.
It has been reported that teenagers use cybercafes as avenues for accessing pornographic materials, scammers utilize them for their criminal activities, sending out scam emails to unassuming victims.
Practical Solutions and Policies
Security needs to be given more attention than it currently enjoys in the management of cyber cafes by managers.
Most internet cafe users have little or no knowledge of the security risks they are exposed to and how to mitigate the risks . It therefore lies on the managers of the cybercafes to provide adequate security.
Unfortunately, most of the cafes that had regulatory policy in place were less interested in monitoring power users. Findings also revealed that most of those that allowed online payments via their network did not provide both regulatory policy and monitoring measures.
Cyber cafes naturally are expected to make use of passwords to manage access to the internet via their network.
Offering introductory classes for newbie internet users by most managers of internet cafes is commendable.
Use of Firewalls is high encouraged in cyber cafes.
Being able to use memory drives and download without restraint can aid accessing, uploading and spreading of illegal contents and software. This must be stopped and the use of only the well scanned disks or drives are allowed in the cyber cafe.
Deploying basic security tools and mechanisms, including firewalls, antivirus, and ensuring effective monitoring, whilst not violating customers’ privacy, can go a long way to ensuring the nation’s cyber cafes are not comfort zones for hackers, spammers, crackers and other cyber offenders.
On the other hand, government needs to show more interest in cyber cafe
operations in the country. As is obtainable in most sectors of the country, there is need for regulation of their activities.
Conclusion
Despite the high records of internet abuse at cyber cafes, with the proper implementation of safe internet policies and solutions, cyber cafes can still be worth using to perform important tasks securely.