|
E-Mail Virus - New Electronic Gadgets Can Contain Viruses
You've heard about
computer viruses that invade your computer via e-mails or pop-up ads. But now
damaging viruses are showing up inside electronic gadgets shipped straight
from manufacturers. Consumers are reporting that new products they've
purchased, such as digital picture frames and GPS navigation systems,
contained viruses that spread to their computers via USB cable. These viruses
can steal passwords, open doors for hackers, and make computers spew spam.
How does it happen? Industry experts aren't sure yet, since manufacturers are
keeping detailed information confidential. However, it appears that the
occurrences may be accidental, taking place in the final stages of production
after the electronics come off Chinese assembly lines. For instance, if
employees unwittingly use their own infected devices with a computer at the
plant and the same computer is used later to test electronics, those newly
made products could become contaminated.
You can protect against most factory-loaded viruses on electronics by running
an antivirus program on your computer and keeping it up to date. This
software checks for known viruses and suspicious behaviors that indicate an
attack by malicious code, whether from a download or a gadget attached to
your computer. For additional information on how to protect your computer,
visit www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/default.mspx.
Back to Top
Webster-Calhoun Announcements - Bill Insert And Military
Discounts
Bill Insert
Check out the July bill insert to learn more about recent orders from the
Iowa Utilities Board that will affect Webster-Calhoun, find out what happened
at recent Manson-Northwest Webster vs. Prairie Valley baseball and softball
games, who was affected by flooding, and industry leadership provided by
Webster-Calhoun. If you missed it in the July billing statement you can see
it on line at www.wccta.net. Click on
products and services then scroll down the page to archived items.
Military Discounts
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association appreciates the service of
those in the military. To show our gratitude and to help family members keep
in touch with loved ones serving in active duty Webster-Calhoun offers an
Active Duty Military Discount. (This provides a credit applied to the account
of the soldier's household and requires proof of active duty status.) For
more information contact our office at 515-352-3151.
Back to Top
Ask The Help Desk - Are Pop-ups Dangerous?
Question: The pop-ups that appear when I visit
websites can definitely be annoying since they clutter up the screen. But can
they pose a serious threat to my computer?
Answer: A pop-up is a small Web browser window that automatically
appears on top of the website you're viewing. Most often, pop-ups display
advertising from legitimate businesses. They can, however, be tied to threats
such as phishing scams designed to trick you into revealing personal or
financial information. If pop-ups open even when you're not surfing the Web,
it could be a sign that your computer is infected with intrusive spyware or
malware.
Not all pop-ups are annoying or potentially harmful. Some trusted websites
use pop-ups for specific tasks and you may need to view them in order to
complete the task. For example, a bill pay site or hotel reservation site may
generate a pop-up with a calendar inside to assist with scheduling.
Most leading browsers have pop-up blockers turned on by default, and search
engines such as Google and Yahoo include an additional pop-up blocker in
their toolbars. As a user, you have the ability to enable, disable, or adjust
pop-up blockers to fit your needs. Simply follow the steps in the "Short
Tutorial" section below.
Back to Top
Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In July
The Road Best Traveled
http://byways.org - This summer
consider making a car trip that's more about the road itself rather than the
final destination. Selected roads throughout the U.S. have been designated
America's Byways based on natural, historic, or cultural qualities. No two
are the same, yet all reflect something uniquely American. The National
Scenic Byways Program website provides maps and directions, ideas on stops to
make, photos, visitor information, and links to related travel sites.
Wonderful World of Watermelon
http://www.watermelon.org - Nothing
goes over better at a picnic than a big, juicy slice of watermelon. Not only
is watermelon delicious, it's also versatile, nutritious, and relatively
inexpensive. The National Watermelon Promotion Board website offers great
recipes, tips on decorations, games and activities for kids, and suggestions
on how to make watermelon part of a healthy diet.
Fight Bac!
http://fightbac.org - Keeping
bacteria from spoiling your next picnic or cookout is easier than you might
think. The mission of the Partnership for Food Safety Education is to educate
the public about safe food handling, and they recommend following four simple
steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Their website offers details on these
bacteria prevention methods, as well as facts on the causes, symptoms, and
challenges of foodborne illness.
Phoenix Mars Mission
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu - NASA's
Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars in late May and is busy collecting data to
help determine if Mars could support life, what the history of water is at
the landing site, and how the Martian climate is affected by polar dynamics.
Follow the progress of the fascinating Phoenix Mars Mission at this site.
Read the latest news, view photos and videos of the spacecraft and its
surroundings on Mars, and download materials to learn more about the science,
technology, and engineering involved in space exploration.
Convenient Conversion
http://zamzar.com - Sometimes
communication in the digital world requires speaking a different language. In
computing terms, this often means converting files to new formats. Zamzar is
a free, online file conversion service that allows you to change image,
document, music, video, and other types of files into various formats. The
service involves four simple steps, and converted files are sent directly to
your e-mail account. This site comes in handy, for example, when you receive
an e-mail attachment that you can't open with your computer's software.
Back to Top
Short Tutorial - Adjusting Your Pop-up Blocker Settings
As we mentioned in the
"Ask The Help Desk" section, pop-ups can sometimes be annoying or
potentially dangerous and other times they can be quite useful. So how do you
block unwanted pop-ups and still allow pop-ups on selected websites? Follow
the steps below for your browser to adjust your pop-up blocker settings and
enter your preferences.
Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Internet Explorer 7
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP SP2 Home Edition or Vista Home
Premium
1. With Internet Explorer 7 open, click your
cursor arrow on "Tools" on the menu bar.
2. Select "Internet Options" from the
drop-down menu. The Internet Options window will appear.
3. Select the "Privacy" tab.
4. In the "Pop-up Blocker" section,
select the "Settings" button. The Pop-up Blocker Settings window
will appear.
5. Here you can enter websites that you want to
allow to display pop-ups by entering the website address and clicking on
"Add." You can also remove previously entered websites if you no
longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
6. Also in the Pop-up Blocker Settings window,
you can select which filter level you are most comfortable with by choosing
from the drop-downs in the "Filter level" section.
7. Click "Close" to exit.
Adjusting Pop-up
Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Firefox 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Macintosh OS X 10.4
1. With Firefox 2.0 open, click your cursor
arrow on "Firefox" on the menu bar.
2. Select "Preferences" from the
drop-down menu.
3. Select the "Content" icon. The
"Block pop-up windows" option should have a check mark next to it.
4. To change the Pop-up Blocker Preferences,
select the "Exceptions" button. The Allowed Sites - Popups window
will appear.
5. Here you can enter websites that you want to
allow to display pop-ups by entering the website address and clicking on
"Allow." You can also remove previously entered websites if you no
longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
6. Click on the red circle in the upper left
corner of the Allowed Sites - Popups window to exit.
Adjusting Pop-up Blocker
Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Firefox 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP SP2 Home Edition or Vista Home
Premium
1. With Firefox 2.0 open, click your cursor
arrow on "Tools" on the menu bar.
2. Select "Options" from the
drop-down menu. The Options window will appear.
3. Select the "Content" icon. The
"Block pop-up windows" option should have a check mark next to it.
4. To change the Pop-up Blocker Preferences,
select the "Exceptions" button. The Allowed Sites - Popups window
will appear.
5. Here you can enter websites that you want to
allow to display pop-ups by entering the website address and clicking on
"Allow." You can also remove previously entered websites if you no
longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
6. Click "Close" to exit.
Adjusting Pop-up
Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Safari 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Macintosh OS X 10.4
1. With Safari 3.0 open, click your cursor
arrow on "Safari" on the menu bar.
2. Select "Preferences" from the
drop-down menu.
3. Select the "Security" icon. The
"Block pop-up windows" option should have a check mark next to it.
4. To allow pop-ups, deselect the check box
next to the "Block pop-up windows" option.
5. Click on the red circle in the upper left
corner of the open window to exit.
Back to Top
We hope you found
this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the
happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on
a monthly basis, click here.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
WCCTA.net
A product of Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
1106 Beek Street, PO Box 475
Gowrie, IA 50543-0475
Phone: 515-352-3151
(We have used our
best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein.
However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any
loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or
omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)
©2008 Cornerstone
Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are
trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective owners.
|
