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Surfer Beware - Facebook Users Facing Spam Attacks
The widely popular social
networking site, Facebook, now has more than 175 million active users with
the fastest growing demographic being those 30 years old and older. Perhaps
you're one of the many Facebook users that recently received spam containing
subjects like the following:
- An invitation to lunch by a family
- Your reported violation of Facebook's Terms of
Service
- A link to a video of dancing girls
Take a look at one example of these fraudulent e-mail messages
below:
These spoofed Facebook messages contain links to websites that try to prompt
recipients into installing a malicious application. If you receive e-mail
messages like this, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK. Instead, simply delete them.
Also make sure you have a firewall installed, and keep your antivirus and
antispyware software up to date.
Facebook actively works to stop spam related to their site and to bring legal
action against the spammers. In addition, Facebook has security experts and
engineers focused on the integrity of the site and continues to build systems
to prevent and respond to spam attacks. They recommend that Facebook users
report spam by using the links located throughout their website.
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Webster-Calhoun Announcements: Bill Insert, Computer Classes
And On-line Billing
Bill Insert
Did you see the yellow insert with your bill this month? If not, you can view
it on-line by going to www.wccta.net and
click on products and services. Scroll down to the bottom of the page where
it says archives. You can see years worth of billing and e-mail newsletters!
This month includes a recap of the Annual Meeting of Members held on March
10th. Internet Classes will be held in May and updates on the
Fiber-to-the-Home construction. Check it out!
Computer Classes
Back by popular demand are free computer classes at WCCTA! We've asked David
Sherlock from INS to join us on May 27th and 28th to talk about Internet
browsing and e-mail, digital photos, networking and eBay. Click on this link
for more information about the classes http://www.wccta.com/computerclass.htm
or contact our office at webcal@wccta.net
or 352-3151.
On-line Billing
You can now view your account information via the Internet any time of day!
Go to our website at www.wccta.com and
simply click on Online Billing. Click on "create a new account" on
this login page. You can create a username and password to access your
Webster-Calhoun account on-line. See past and current invoices, even long
distance charges that haven't been billed yet! Sign up for direct payment and
view payment history or manage your account by determining how you want to
receive your invoice.
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Ask The Help Desk - What Does The “s” In “https” Stand For?
Question: I've noticed that some website addresses
begin with "http" and others with "https." What does that
"s" stand for and does it mean anything to me as a user?
Answer: The acronym HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol
Secure. The word "secure" refers to the fact that HTTPS uses a
secure socket layer (SSL) for security purposes when transferring data. Some
examples of sites that use HTTPS include banking and investment websites,
e-commerce websites, and most websites that require you to log in.
Websites that use the standard HTTP protocol transmit and receive data in an
unsecured manner. This means it's possible for someone to eavesdrop on the
data being transferred between the user and the Web server. By contrast,
secure websites use the HTTPS protocol to encrypt the data being sent back
and forth with SSL encryption. If someone were to capture the data being
transferred via HTTPS, it would be unrecognizable.
You can tell if a website is secure by viewing the address field of your Web
browser. If the Web address starts with "https://," you know that you're
accessing a secure website. Most browsers will also display a lock icon
somewhere along the edge of the window to indicate the website that you are
currently visiting is secure. You can click the lock icon to view the secure
certificate that authenticates the website.
Whenever you're asked to enter personal or financial information on a
website, make sure that the URL starts with "https://" and that the
lock icon appears in the window.
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Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In April
Credit Care
http://www.helpwithmycredit.org - Help
With My Credit provides information to assist and educate consumers
struggling with debt. Their website features helpful, easy-to-understand
advice for those having trouble keeping up with payments. Topics include
managing credit wisely, credit card basics, credit card features,
understanding your credit score, reading your statement, and credit
counseling. If you don't find what you need, check out the additional
resources and links.
LOC Online
http://loc.gov - Love to learn? Then
you will love this site. The Library of Congress is the largest library in
the world with millions of books and other media in its collections. The
online collection contained in this site is also vast. Highlights include
learning games and activities, a "wise guide" that shows you what's
available, a performing arts encyclopedia, "places in the news,"
and webcasts featuring musicians, poets, and more.
CenterWatch
http://centerwatch.com - Do
you or someone you care about have a serious medical condition? Have you
wondered if there's a way to keep up with the research about treatments for
it? This site may provide the answers. It offers news, directories, analysis,
and proprietary market research on clinical research for a variety of
conditions. You will find a database of clinical trials, a subscription
service for notifications, a list of recently approved drugs, and a
collection of additional resources.
Rachael Ray Recipes
http://rachaelray.com - Rachael
Ray, popular TV host and cookbook author, is known for her warmth, energy,
and boundless curiosity. Ray is also famous for her 30-minute meals and you
can find lots of quick and easy recipes on her site. Now that the weather is
getting nicer, check out the Spring Fever section for recipes that let you
spend less time at the stove and more time outside playing.
Late Is Great
http://lastminute.com - Procrastinators,
this is the travel site for you! Find incredible deals when you make last
minute — or even last second — travel plans. The site includes flight, hotel,
car, and vacation deals for a variety of destinations, as well as terrific
tips for what to do when you get there. You can search by occasion, budget,
or your preferred type of vacation activity. Use the "going out"
section to plan your days when you arrive, or the "gift ideas"
section to give the gift of travel.
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Short Tutorial - Setting Up Automatic E-mail Message Delivery
Do you have to click
on the "Send/Receive" button to obtain your messages when starting
up your e-mail program? Perhaps they used to be automatically delivered but
after you upgraded your e-mail program, this feature was no longer operating.
Follow the steps below to have your e-mail messages automatically delivered
at startup:
Setting Up Automatic Message Delivery When Using ...
- E-mail Program: Outlook Express 6
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP
1. With Outlook Express open, click your cursor
arrow on "Tools" from the menu bar and select
"Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. The Options window will open. While on the
"General" tab, and within the "Send/Receive Messages"
section, check the box next to "Send and receive messages at
startup."
3. Click on the "Apply" button to
save your changes and then click on the "OK" button to close the
Options window.
Setting Up Automatic
Message Delivery When Using ...
- E-mail Program: Windows Mail
- Computer Operating System: Windows Vista
1. With Windows Mail open, click your cursor
arrow on "Tools" from the menu bar and select
"Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. The Options window will open. While on the
"General" tab, and within the "Send/Receive Messages"
section, check the box next to "Send and receive messages at
startup."
3. Click on the "Apply" button to
save your changes and then click on the "OK" button to close the
Options window.
Setting Up Automatic
Message Delivery When Using ...
- E-mail Program: Mozilla Thunderbird
2.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X
10.5
1. With Thunderbird open, click your cursor
arrow on "Tools" from the menu bar and select "Account
Settings..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. The Account Settings window (Local Folders
window on the Mac) will open. Under your account located on the left side of
the window, click on "Server Settings." You will now see several
server setting options on the right side of the window.
3. In the "Server Settings" section,
check the box next to "Check for new messages at startup."
4. Click on the "OK" button to save
your changes and close the Account Settings window.
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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.)
©2009 Cornerstone
Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are
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