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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, June 27, 2004
Next Sunday is Independence Day. To observe the 4th of July, we are combining this week and next weeks newsletter and taking next weekend off.
Have a Great and Safe July 4th!
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Internet Scams
From Our Archives: Getting Out of Trouble - Fixing a Frozen Computer
Special Feature: Check Available Disk Space
From Our Archives: Block Annoying Pop Up Windows
Tips & Tricks: AOL Freezes
This Week's Topic: Spyware
From Our Archives: Customize and Cleanup Your Desktop
Questions: Sort Email in Outlook
Websites of Interest: Independence Day; Flag Rules and Regulations; Fireworks Safety; Word Puzzle; Aerial Images
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Using Links
A Link is a reference to a website. In this newsletter you will see links to
many worthwhile, informative and fun websites. Here are the instructions on
how to use links:
A link will be used one of two ways, depending on your email program.
If you see the link in blue, underlined text, all you have to do is click on
it and a window with the Website in it will automatically appear on your
screen.
If you see the link in plain text, you can copy and paste it into the address
bar on your browser. Highlight the link with your mouse, click Edit up on
the menu bar, and then click Copy from the menu that you just opened up. Open
your browser (click the Start Button, point to Programs, click on Internet
Explorer); click on the address bar. Click Edit up on the menu bar, and then
click Paste from the menu that you just opened up. Press the Enter key on the
keyboard and this will take you to the Website.
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Special Feature: Internet Scams
You can not beat the Internet in bringing information right to your front door. You can use it to do research on any topic that interests you, talk with friends all over the world, buy products at great discounts and much more. It has revolutionized the way we do business and the way we communicate.
Unfortunately, sometimes it seems that the negative things are starting to take over the good things. One of the growing problems lately has been Internet Scams. In most cases these scams try to trick you into giving your personal information so that your name can be used to commit crimes. The bad news is that these scams are starting to look more authentic, making it harder to identify them.
Remember the ground rules: No legitimate Internet Service Provider or business will ever ask you for personal information in an email. If you receive an email like this, do not respond to it. Contact the ISP or business through other means (a website or phone number that you know of)
There are many websites offering free information that will help you identify scams. Here are links to some of them:
Scambusters
http://www.scambusters.org/
Scam Watch
http://www.scamwatch.com/
University of Victoria Computer Help Desk
http://helpdesk.uvic.ca/technote/security/tn98012.html
Better Business Bureau
http://www.bbb.org/
Cybercrime and Internet Issues
http://www.vaonline.org/internet.html
Special Note: The Internet is not the only place where scams run rampant. Mail and telephone scams still far outnumber Internet scams. Be very careful in giving out your personal information in all cases. If you receive a phone call or letter from someone claiming to work for an organization you do business with, do not give any information; call a phone number that you know of to check the validity of the request.
For more information on Internet Scams, read this newsletters article on Phishing in last weeks issue:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/062004.html
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From Our Archives: Getting Out of Trouble - Fixing a Frozen Computer
Question: For some reason, my computer occasionally stops working. It just sits there and I have to hold down the On button to turn it off. What should I do?
Answer:
Visit our newsletter archives for the answer to this question:
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/113003.html
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Special Feature: Check Available Disk Space
While newer computers will usually have enough disk storage space to last even the most productive user, you may like to know if there is enough space left on your computer’s disk to hold all your files, emails and pictures.
It is a good idea to occasionally take a look at available space vs. used space on the disk. A disk will operate most efficiently if there is at least 25 percent free space. Any less free space than that, then it is time to start cleaning house: removing unused programs and deleting old files.
To check available disk space, double click the My Computer icon on the desktop. The My Computer window displays the C: drive icon along with the other drive icons. Right click on the C: drive icon; left click on Properties in the resulting menu.
You will see the amount of disk space used and available displayed in bytes. More useful is the pie chart with free space displayed in pink and used space displayed in blue.
Click the OK button when you are finished.
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From Our Archives: Block Annoying Pop Up Windows
Are pop up advertising windows taking all the fun out of using the Internet? There are free programs that you can use to block pop ups forever. Find out how at our newsletter archives:
http://stsico.com/html/noads.html
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Tips & Tricks: AOL Freezes
When American Online freezes, there is a little trick that you can use to get it moving again. Move the mouse arrow up to the menu bar, click on help and then click on About America Online. You should now be able to use AOL again.
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Today's Topic: Spyware
Without your knowledge or permission, spyware has the ability to send information about you to any computer in the world. With hundreds of thousands of copies of commercially available spy software in use worldwide, there is a good chance your computer may be bugged right now, or if it isn't, it could be at any time.
Spyware is software that transmits personally identifiable information from your computer without your knowledge. It is generally used to silently track your personal information and surfing behavior to create a marketing profile that will be sold to advertisement companies.
Spyware is a relatively new kind of threat that most anti-virus programs do not yet adequately protect against. If you see unusual things happening on your computer, programs popping up that you didn't intentionally install, slowdowns, freezes, browser crashes, or things that have changed without your having changed them, you may have been infected with spyware.
Unfortunately, even if you do not see anything, you still may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging that is covertly entering computers without the owner’s knowledge or permission.
A less threatening sort or spyware is adware. Adware is similar to spyware, but does not usually transmit personally identifiable information. Instead, it collects information on Internet usage such as website visits and time spent on particular websites.
Another kind of spyware is tracking cookies. Cookies are used all over the internet in useful and less useful places. Advertisement companies often set cookies whenever your browser loads a banner from them. In that case, the company gets notice about every site you visit that contains their ads.
Learn more about cookies at this link:
http://stsico.com/html/cookies.html
It is very important that you protect yourself and your computer from spyware. There are many free spyware protection programs that can be downloaded and used. These programs will search your computer for instances of spyware and remove any that are found. Good anti spyware programs will also immunize your computer from known spyware that could infect you in the future.
One such program is Spybot – Search and Destroy. This can be downloaded at download.com. It is a free program that is very easy to use and provides good instructions and documentation.
Download Spybot:
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022-10289035.html?tag=lst- 0-3
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From Our Archives: Customize and Cleanup Your Desktop
Maneuvering through the start button menus to open your favorites programs can be time consuming. Create an icon for your favorite program – then just double click on it every time you want to open the program.
Dress up your desktop. Use your favorite picture as a background on your desktop.
Are icons scattered all over your desktop? Learn how to line them up and make things neater.
Visit our newsletter archives to learn how to create and organize icons and put a picture on your desktop.
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/110203.html
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Question: Sort Email in Outlook
I just switched to Outlook for my email. On America Online, my emails were displayed in date order, most recently received first. Outlook displays the email alphabetically by email address. Can I change it to display by date? Thank you so much for all your help.
Answer:
You can change the display of your email in whatever order you would like. Notice the row above your emails; you should see From, Subject, Received. Those are buttons.
Click on a button to sort your e-mails by that column. For example, if you want your e-mails sorted by the date you received them, click on the Received button and they will sort by the date received. If they display oldest first, click the Received button again, and the order will reverse.
If you want to change back to display alphabetically by email address, just click the From button.
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Websites of Interest:
Independence Day
Independence Day
This website features the history of Independence Day, including stories, speeches, and celebrations over the years.
http://www.american.edu/heintze/fourth.htm
For some history, patriotic music, and a very cool online fireworks display, visit this website:
http://www.holidays.net/independence/
Read the Declaration of Independence at this website:
http://www.usacitylink.com/usa/declaration.html
Flag Rules and Regulations
At this website, you will learn how to fold, display and retire the American flag, and much more.
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
Fireworks Safety
June and July are Fireworks Safety Months. Fireworks are illegal in many states, New York being one of them. If you must be around fireworks on the fourth, learn how to keep yourself and your children safe at this website:
http://familyinternet.about.com/library/safetydocs/blfireworks.htm
Word Puzzle
Take a look at this website for a new kind of crossword puzzle. Fun and challenging
http://crickler.com
Aerial Images
See if you can find your house in these aerial photos of the Earth.
http://terraserver-usa.com/
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