Getting Internet access abroad is pretty straightforward these days, even in the most seemingly unlikely places. Many
hotels and resorts offer at least email access, though you should take to check the tariff on hotel services before buying. Likewise, many hotel rooms in major business destinations have dataports for plugging in a laptop. Again, remember to check the tariff. Also remember that dataport access often requires a credit card swipe - so make sure you're staying at a hotel belonging to a reputable international chain if you're going to take this option.
Internet cafés can provide a really great-value service - most offer high speed access for no more than two or three dollars an hour, and may well offer Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony also, in the event that you want to make cheap calls home. The usual practice in such places is to visit the reception desk and ask for a computer, which will be assigned to you if one is free. In most places you pay before you leave for the amount of time you have used, so it's a good idea to double-check the time with the cashier before you start, especially if there is a language difficulty or the café is particularly busy.
There are a couple of important security considerations to bear in mind if you're using any sort of public computer. First, be very wary about using your credit card, even on reputable sites. Although you're very unlikely to be the victim of any sort of electronic scam in a major internet cafe or hotel in the west, 'backstreet' operations and smaller cafes in less safe countries should be viewed with suspicion.
Also remember to log out of any online service you use as a member. This is especially important in the case of web-based email accounts such as Hotmail and Gmail - if you forget the next person to use the computer after you might be able to log into your account and cause all sorts of trouble. But it's also important with things like blogs and subscription services. You should, in general, avoid the sort of situation where someone can log on to any service in your name and cause trouble or change the passwords so you can't get back in yourself!
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