Some sophisticated organisations are targeting business executives with the view of stealing information, be it data on the hard drive or information gleamed from emails. This is done in hotels by forcing users to access to a targeted computer as soon as it connects to a hotel’s internet system, either through WIFI or LAN line.
The most common way is upon the first connection, the targeted computer will display a popup stating that one of the Microsoft or Adobe programs needs to be updated (something like Flash Player or Acrobat Reader etc). The popup is the same as the ones that most computers normally get and they are not activated by opening a malicious email. If the popup is followed to download the update, a keystroke recorder among other spyware is installed on the computer and all emails will be intercepted as well as data stolen from the hard drive.
These attacks are usually targeted at specific business individuals, however, it is highly recommended that you consider this advice and act accordingly.
Even if you do not store sensitive information on your hard drive this attack will allow the bad guys to see your emails from which they may obtain some sensitive commercial information.
The main thing is, never update any software on your laptop while in a motel or hotel. The list of countries where this is happening is growing but is prominent in Europe, Asia (including Singapore) and the middle east.