Brian Gongol
Urgent this week:
- Internet Explorer is having troubles again. Please, please, please use Firefox or Opera instead.
- Don't be fooled by fake bills.
- We'll remind you one last time: If you haven't installed surge suppressors on all of your computers, doing so should be your highest computing priority before the spring storm season arrives.
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:
- One reason it's important to create bookmarks to sites like eBay and PayPal is that they can help you keep your guard up about which sites you visit.
This is a sophisticated "social networking" attack: It's designed to convince you to lower your guard and give away personal information to what you think is a trusted source, but what is actually a crooked website. Never follow links like this in an e-mail. Type the URL (like www.paypal.com) in for yourself, or better, follow a bookmark in your browser. - For the record: 682 spam messages received in twelve hours on Friday, for a Spam Index of 9548.
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.