Computer Kiosks

• Reading and Writing E-mail
• Finding and booking trips / flights
• Working on company files and presentations
• Surfing the net for news
• Chat
• Printing

The user of computer kiosks in an internet Cafe has slightly different priorities:

• Chat (Video)
• Reading/ Writing E-mail
• Download and Burn Music
• Play PC Games
• Surfing the Web

No matter what the priorities or interests are of the user, by using the Kiosk they are damaging it. Think about:

• Disk Clutter (Files, Cookies, Cache, Applications, etc)
• Viruses, Ad-Ware and Spy Ware (downloads from Internet and auto-installations that happen just by surfing web pages)
• Accidental removal of system files
• Sometimes the user even willingly tries to hack or break the Internet Kiosk

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Visible disruptions on the Kiosk:

• A Guest changed your network settings
• Installation of an obscene wallpaper
• A slide show with objectionable content pops up when a Guest works on the kiosk
• Kiosk can't find the printer or internet connection
• CD player/burner seems to be missing it's drivers
• There is a lot of user left-over content on the desktop
• A lot of indiscrete chat logs reside on the computer kiosk
• Icons removed from the desktop
• Applications are uninstalled or miss important files all of a sudden
• Kiosk starts up in the blue screen
• Kiosk crashes for unexplainable reasons
• Your network is being visited /abused by users of your public access computer or pass-through third parties.
• Etc.

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Invisible disruptions on the Kiosk:

• All key strokes from your Guest are being duplicated into a log file (not recognized by a virus scanner)
• Viruses / Hacks are nested onto the system and sends attacks to well known web sites (DoS attacks)
• Nested viruses / hacks use your computer kiosk as base station to spread them selves over the internet on other computers
• Users lift personal information of previous guests from the public internet access computer (ID-Theft, Credit Card Fraud)
• Etc.

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The following precautions help, (but do not prevent manual hacks, manual downloads/installs of files and objectionable content, viruses like the Key-Stroke-Logger, Disk Clutter or tempering with system settings.

• Create guest account with limited rights
• Virus scanner (update regularly)
• Parental controls
• Update Windows XP regularly
• Secure your network (firewall)
• Exclude computer kiosk from roaming the network (router)
• Exclude access to "the heart and soul" of the computer by disabling keys in the registration editor (regedit)
• Etc.

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Effects of non-secured computer kiosks on your organization:

• Guest exposure to objectionable web sites, files and pictures in your Hotel (watch out: a Content Filter does not protect against downloaded and installed files / slide shows)
• Guest complains to your staff
• Cost of free nights or other amenities to appease the guest
• Helpless counter staff that spend time and effort to sooth the problem
• IT-Staff has to clean and fix the computer kiosk regularly
• Loss of respectable status of your Hotel
• Risk of Lawsuit when it becomes clear that you haven't secured the privacy of the guest

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Effects of non-secured computer kiosks on your Guest

• ID stolen (VPN passwords, Chat ID numbers, Bank Account Numbers and Passwords, etc.)
• Credit Card Number stolen
• Company confidential information stolen from Computer
• Private Chat Logs and E-mail read by strangers
• Etc.

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SurferQuest computer kiosk software protects you and your guest from unwanted public computer side affects. It Features:

• A Self Contained solution for unmanned areas
• Complementary or Payment Portal
• Protection against Hacks, Viruses and Disk clutter
• Privacy protection against ID-Theft and Credit Card Fraud
• Digital Signage Network option to display advertising
• Optional Web Content Filter
• 24/7 Service and Support to end-user level

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The SurferQuest computer kiosk software is so tight that we don't limit the user from any Windows XP or computer kiosk feature. The user can perform normal everyday tasks like:

• Downloading files and applications
• Chat through any text or web cam messenger
• Netmeeting
• Upload pictures or video footage to the computer
• Burn any file or music MP3 to CD or Floppy, transfer to iPOD or to USB Memory Key
• Play Web and PC games
• Work in Office Applications or any other software
• VPN into Home or Office computer
• Read and Write E-mails
• Surf the Web
• Etc.

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SurferQuest is generally used for public internet access, but it is more and more used as foundation for dedicated applications, like:

• Photo upload, distribution and print station
• Information booth
• Rotating advertisements (Digital Signage)
• Voting stations
• Survey kiosks
• Here2There (Proprietary Mapping Application by SurferQuest / Global Appliances)
• Coupon Dispenser with attached big LCD screen displaying advertisements (Proprietary Mall Application by SurferQuest / Global Appliances)
• Etc.

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SurferQuest Minimum Requirements:

• Windows XP Operating System with Service Pack 2
• P4 or Celeron 1.8GHz
• 256 MB internal Memory
• Screen resolution 1024x768
• Internet Connection

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SurferQuest Installation Instructions:

• Install on a freshly formatted computer
• (do not install SurferQuest on your work computer!)
• Install Windows XP and original factory driver set
• Set up network connections and make sure you have an internet connection
• Uninstall any demo / trial software completely
• Install printer drivers
• Install any application software for your users
• Set screen resolution to 1024x768
• Download SurferQuest here (You will need a license number)
• Click 'run this file' and follow on-screen instructions
• When the installation is finished the system will reboot in the locked mode and is ready to be used.
• Password protect the bios
• Do not install security software like Norton / Symantec or any anti-virus software. You do not need it and it will conflict with SurferQuest.
  

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