Brian Gongol
Urgent this week:
- There's a renewed concern about Trojan horse viruses being carried by Microsoft Word documents. Follow our earlier advice to (1) take it slow and wait to open Word documents if you can, in order to give anti-virus writers time to catch up, (2) use alternative programs like OpenOffice to open Word files, and (3) use PDF formats to exchange documents rather than Word files, whenever possible.
- Take care not to destroy your computer with static electricity. Wear rubber-soled shoes (if possible) when using your computer, try to discharge static before touching the machine, and isolate your CPU from the ground if at all possible.
Important to do every week:
- Run a backup of your important computer files and store it in a safe location.
- Update your anti-spyware software and run it. If you need free anti-spyware software, download Spybot Search and Destroy.
- Update your anti-virus software and run it. If you need free anti-virus software, download AVG Anti-Virus.
Other recommended security measures:
- Set up a limited-access user account on your computer and use it for most purposes. Only use administrator mode when installing and uninstalling programs.
- Use Firefox, Opera, Safari, or another web browser other than Internet Explorer. They're easy to install.
Online crook of the week:
- If you get an e-mail that's supposedly from eBay telling you to change your password -- it's probably from a crook:
If you really need to change your eBay password, don't ever just click on a link within an e-mail. Open a new browser window and type in eBay.com on your own. That will ensure that you're not just following some link that a crook put up in order to steal your password. - For the record: 51 spam messages received in one hour this Friday, for a Spam Index of 8568
Other helpful links:
- Listen to the WHO Radio Wise Guys Saturdays from 12:00 to 2:00 Central via streaming audio or on 1040 AM.
- Get a professional website for under $500 at NorthernRepublic.com.