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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, February 10, 2008
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Protect Yourself against Online Identity Theft
Tips & Tricks: Google Dictionary
Special Feature: Valentine’s Day Virus
Today's Topic: Windows Vista: Change Desktop Wallpaper
Question: Lost Menu Bars
Websites of Interest: Abraham Lincoln, Collected Works; Valentine’s Day; Beautiful Trees; Sharp Brains
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Special Feature: Protect Yourself against Online Identity Theft
The following is from astoriafederal.com
Before entering any sensitive information, verify that the Web site is secure by looking for:
The Lock Symbol
Check the status bar at the bottom of your Web browser window for an unbroken lock symbol. This means your personal information is scrambled, and no one can read it but the e-business you've contacted. Double-click on the lock symbol to view the security certificate. Make sure the certificate is "Issued to" the Web site and the "Valid from" dates are current.
"https" in the Web Site's Address
Secure sites have "https://" at the beginning of the address, rather than "http://." The "s" stands for "secure" and indicates the information you send is encrypted or scrambled, so it can't be read during transmission.
Update your anti-virus software regularly to guard against new viruses.
Keep your browser and operating system up-to-date. Look for programs that offer automatic updates, including important security enhancements, and take advantage of free patches that manufacturers offer to fix newly discovered problems.
Only open email attachments if you’re expecting them and know what they contain. Even if the messages look like they came from people you know, they could be from scammers and contain programs that will steal your personal information.
Do not be intimidated by an email or caller who suggests serious consequences if you do not immediately provide or verify financial information.
Use a personal firewall to limit uninvited access to your computer, especially if you have high-speed or an “always on” connection to the Internet, such as broadband cable or DSL.
If you store financial information on your computer, use a password consisting of numbers and letters, both upper and lower case.
Avoid using an automatic login feature that saves your user name and password and always log off when you’re finished.
Use anti-spyware and anti-spam software
Be cautious when using public computers, such as those in coffee houses; or public networks, such as those in hotels and airports, to access the internet . Check with the staff to verify that their network is secure.
Be sure to read Web site privacy policies to know your information will be secure, how it will be used, and if it will be shared with third parties.
Please take a look at last week’s edition of our newsletter for tips on protecting yourself from identity theft offline.
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/020308.html
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Tips & Tricks: Google Dictionary
Google can be so much more than just a search engine. Give their define keyword a try – it’s an online dictionary which will give you the meaning of a word along with alternative definitions and links to read more about it.
To use the dictionary, open your Internet browser (Internet Explorer) and maneuver to the Google website. In the Search box, type in the word define and then the word you want to look up. Click the Search button.
You’ll now see definitions for your word and many websites providing more information.
Watch for next week’s newsletter for more Google Tips and Tricks!
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Special Feature: Valentine’s Day Virus
Lately, it seems no holiday remains untouched by malicious programmers who create and distribute viruses. And now Valentine’s Day is approaching and several viruses, old and new, are making the rounds. Warnings are out about the Storm Worm and other viruses that are invading inboxes everywhere.
Keep an eye out for email from senders you don’t know, and any email that contains subject lines such as these:
A Rose for My Love
I Love You With All I Am
Inside My Heart
Our Love Will Last
Those are just a sampling of the type of subject lines that are on the emails that contain malicious software. Watch out for emails with subject lines having anything to do with love, romance or relating to Valentine's Day in any way.
If you get an email like that, just delete it!
And, be sure your antivirus and antispyware programs are updated.
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Today's Topic: Windows Vista - Change Desktop Wallpaper
Question: I just got a new computer with Windows Vista on it. Can I put a picture on the desktop like I had on my Windows XP computer?
Answer:
Yes, you can. Here are the steps:
Click the Start Orb (that’s the round button, bottom left on the taskbar, with the Windows logo on it). Open Control Panel. In the Control Panel window that you now see, click Change Desktop Background which you will find in the Appearance and Personalization section.
Click the Browse button. This will open a window which will display your folders. Maneuver to the folder where you have saved the picture you want to use for your desktop background. Click to select the picture and then click the Open button.
In the bottom section of the Desktop Background window, click to select how you want your picture positioned on the screen. Your choices are full screen, tiled or centered.
Click the OK button and your picture will be displayed on the desktop.
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Questions: Lost Menu Bars
Question: I lost the menus in Word. How can I get it back?
Answer:
If you can see a toolbar on top, right click on it. Left click on Customize. In the Window that is now displayed on your screen, click the Toolbars tab at the top.
In the list, scroll down and click the small box to the left of Menu Bar. The Menu will now be displayed. Click the Close button.
Question: All of a sudden, the menu in Internet Explorer is gone. Can you tell me how I can display it again?
Answer:
Press the Alt key on the keyboard. You will now see the menu. It’s only displayed temporarily though. To display it permanently, click the View button and point to Toolbars. A menu will display; click Menu Bar.
The menu will now be permanently displayed.
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Websites of Interest:
Abraham Lincoln: Collected Works
While Abraham Lincoln is most famous for his opposition to slavery, his "Emancipation Proclamation", and his role in helping to end the Civil War, he also did some writing. At this site you can browse through his speeches, correspondence, debates and more.
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/
Valentine’s Day
This Thursday is Valentines Day. Visit our website for fun Valentines links, information, graphics and much more.
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/valentine.html
Beautiful Trees
Visit this website to take a look at the “Ten Most Magnificent Trees in the World.”
http://tinyurl.com/yr8djx
Sharp Brains
Keeping in shape applies to the brain as much as it does to the body. At this website, you will find information and exercises on keeping the mind sharp
http://www.sharpbrains.com/
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