Computer Viruses in Urban Indian Telecenters: Characterizing an Unsolved Problem

Computer viruses can pose a serious threat to the operations of computer kiosks in the developing world. In this paper, we investigate the experiences, behaviors, and unmet needs of telecenter owners as they attempt to prevent virus infections on their machines. Based on interviews in 25 centers in Bangalore, India, we conclude that virus control is largely an unsolved problem for this population. We characterize the local strategies for coping with viruses, barriers to eliminating the problem, and opportunities for future research.