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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, February 5, 2006
In this Issue:
Important Reminder: Tips to Avoid Online Scams
Special Feature: Internet Explorer Settings – Prevent Home Page Hijacking
Tips & Tricks: Forward an Email without the Other Email Addresses
This Week's Topic: The Menu Key
Question: File Name Characters to Avoid
Websites of Interest: Superbowl; Origami; Urban Legends Reference Page
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Important Reminder: Tips to Avoid Online Scams
Phishing is a scam that uses email or pop-up windows to trick you into giving your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other personal information. Phishers try to make these emails look like they come from your bank, Internet Service Provider, credit card company or some other business you may deal with. The email or pop up window usually asks you to update your personal or financial information by responding to the email or clicking on a link to go to a website, where you will input the requested information.
Businesses and ISPs will never send an email or pop up window requesting information from you, especially now with all the phishing scams that are out there on the Internet.
Be suspicious of requests for personal information. Phishers typically use urgent warnings asking for information. A phishing email may state that failure to update your information will result in the closure of an account. Be suspicious of emails that offer a prize or some other reward, or confirm an online purchase that you did not make.
Visit our newsletter archives to learn more about protecting yourself from Phishing:
http://www.computerkindergarten.com/html/062004.html
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Special Feature: Internet Explorer Settings – Prevent Home Page Hijacking
In last week’s newsletter, we answered a question on home page hijacking and how to switch back to your original home page. (Use the link below to visit our newsletter archives and read the article)
In many cases, a home page switch is an indicator of spyware infection. You can set up Internet Explorer to reject codes that cause this. These settings will protect you, your computer and your personal information from spyware.
Open Internet Explorer. Click Tools on the menu and then click Internet Options. Click the Security tab on top and the click the Custom Level button.
You will see a list of settings; look for ActiveX Controls and plug-ins. In this area, you can set the files that will be allowed on your computer. Here is a good setup:
Download signed ActiveX controls: select Prompt. You will be asked before a website tries to put any spyware or adware on your computer.
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: select Disable. These kinds of files do not tell you who they are from and are usually spyware.
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: select Disable. This category includes spyware, adware, worms, and other online threats.
Click the OK button.
This setup will stop many forms of spyware from attacking your computer. You must still protect yourself by using a good antispyware program.
Visit our Newsletter Archives to read last week’s article on Home Page Hijacking:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/012906.html
Visit our Newsletter Archives to learn more about Spyware and antispyware programs.
http://www.computerkindergarten.com/html/062704.html
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Tips & Tricks: Forward an Email without the Other Email Addresses
Question: I get emails I would like to forward on to friends. Can I do that without all the other names and addresses?
Answer:
Yes you can. Visit our newsletter archives for the steps:
http://www.computerkindergarten.com/html/051103.html
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Today's Topic: The Menu Key
Question: I have been trying to learn as much as I can about my computer and have been doing very well, thanks to your wonderful newsletter. There is a key on the bottom right of my keyboard. On it is a box with horizontal lines and a small arrow. What is this key for?
Answer:
Thank you for the compliment on our newsletter.
That is the Menu key, sometimes called the Right-Click key or Application key. It is usually located on the bottom row of the keyboard, on the right side of the spacebar. On some keyboards, it may be in a different location, depending on the manufacturer.
When you press the Menu key, the Right-Click menu will appear.
The next time you are typing and need the right click menu, try using the Menu key instead of reaching for the mouse. It will save you a lot of time.
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Question: File Name Characters to Avoid
Why can’t I use some symbols in filenames?
Answer:
You can use letters, numbers or spaces in filenames. Some symbols have specific functions in Windows. Their use in filenames would confuse the computer.
Do not use the following symbols:
* Asterisk
< >[ ] Brackets
= Equal sign
+ Plus sign
" Quotes
\ / Slashes
, . : ; Comma, Period, Colon, Semicolon
If you try to use these symbols, a message will usually displaying telling you that the filename is not valid.
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Websites of Interest:
Superbowl
Visit the official site of Superbowl XL.
http://www.superbowl.com/
Origami
Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes. Take a look at this website for some amazing designs. Click on Gallery for a look at some of the origami created by the artist and then click on Instructions for diagrams you can make yourself.
http://www.origami.as/
Urban Legends Reference Page
At this website, you can get the truth about any rumour or legend that is circulating. Check it out before you forward the latest email hoax on.
http://snopes.com/ |
