|
Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, September 9, 2007
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Scam Warning
Special Feature: Protect Your Computer: Firewalls
Featured Computer Term: LightScribe
This Week's Topic: Alphabetize the Start Menu
Question: Buying a New Computer
Websites of Interest: National Grandparents Day; Now World Clock; Mineral Galleries; Interior Paint Calculator; Festivals
**************************************************************
Special Feature: Scam Warning
The following is a warning from the Federal Trade Commission
Fraudsters Claim a Red Cross Connection in New Phishing Scam
The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about a scam targeting families of military members. A caller, claiming to work for the Red Cross, notifies an individual that their family member has been injured while on duty. To get immediate aid to the injured service member, the caller says, paperwork must be completed, and personal information must be verified.
The FTC, the nation’s consumer protection agency, says this scheme is a variation of “phishing” – a technique identity thieves use to get personal or financial information from unwary consumers. The identity thief claims to represent a trusted source – a bank, a government agency, or in this case, The American Red Cross – to get someone to divulge their personal information. The FTC urges military family members not to give out personal information on the phone if they are contacted by an individual they don’t know – or via the Internet if the message comes via e-mail.
According to the American Red Cross, its representatives typically do not contact military members or their families directly. Visit http://www.redcross.org and http://www.defenselink.mil for more information.
**************************************************************
Special Feature: Protect Your Computer: Firewalls
A firewall is a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to your computer. All items that try to enter your system pass through the firewall, which examines each object and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.
Firewalls can be hardware (a piece of equipment called a router), software (a program), or a combination of both. Some of the popular antivirus programs come with software firewalls as part of their security suite.
While every computer should be protected with a firewall, if you are using a high speed internet connection that is always on, i.e. Optimum Online or DSL, it is especially important to use a firewall to prevent hackers from accessing your computer.
Windows has a software firewall as part of the operating system, but, depending on the version of Windows, it may have to be enabled (turned on).
If you are using Windows XP, click on the Start button, then Control Panel, then Network Connections. Locate the connection that you’re using and under the Network Tasks tab, click to change settings of this connection. Under the Advanced Tab and Internet Connection Firewall, choose the option to protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer.
If you have Windows XP with Service Pack 2, open Control Panel and then Windows Firewall. Click the option to turn the firewall on.
For Windows Vista, open Control Panel and the Security Settings. Click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off. Click the option to turn the firewall on.
If your antivirus program provides a software firewall that is enabled, it may require the Windows firewall to be disabled. Check the operating instructions on the antivirus program for requirements.
A router, which is a hardware firewall, provides additional protection and can be used alone or in combination with your Windows or antivirus firewall. The router is connected to the modem and examines all objects trying to make their way into your system.
With a firewall in place, your computer should be well protected from anyone trying to hack in.
**************************************************************
Featured Computer Term: LightScribe
Question: What is LightScribe?
Answer:
LightScribe is a technology that uses specially coated CDs or DVDs to produce labels that are laser etched right into the disk instead of stick on labels. Special discs and a disc writer are required.
The user can create a label with any text and design on it. After recording data to the write side of the disc, the user turns the disk over and puts it back into the drive with the label side down. The drive’s laser then etches the label right into the disk.
**************************************************************
Today's Topic: Alphabetize the Start Menu
Question: I have added so many programs to my computer that it makes it difficult to find what I am looking for in the Start menu. Can you give the steps to put them in alphabetical order?
Answer:
Click the Start button and point to Programs or All Programs (depending on your version of Windows). Point to any program in the programs list and right click on it. From the resulting menu, left click Sort by Name. All your programs should now be listed alphabetically.
**************************************************************
Question: Buying a New Computer
It has become time for me to get a new computer. Mine is a Windows 98 model. Can you give some tips? I will use it mostly for email and pictures, since my grandchildren bought me a digital camera. I am retired and on a limited budget, so I do not want to spend too much money.
Answer:
Here are some basics for you to look for:
Since you will be using the computer for pictures, you want Vista Home Premium, not the Home Basic version. Get at least 1 GB of memory, otherwise the wait for the computer to respond to your commands will become unbearable.
How do you connect to the Internet? If you are using dial up, make sure the computer comes with a 56K modem.
While you may save a little money buying mail order, there is still much to be said for trying out the computer before you purchase it. At the store, you can see if you like the monitor and the feel of the keyboard and mouse.
Other than those few things, a basic package should meet your needs.
**************************************************************
Websites of Interest:
Today is National Grandparents Day
September 9th is National Grandparents Day. Learn more about this celebration at this website.
http://www.grandparents-day.com/
Now World Clock
This is a very interesting clock. You will see the current time, but it will also show you statistics the world population, births, deaths, car production, computers, the Internet and much more.
http://tinyurl.com/2r26q7
Mineral Galleries
If you are a rock collector or have interest in the world of minerals, you will find this website very interesting. Look at some fascinating pictures and learn about gemstones, birthstones and mineral properties.
http://mineral.galleries.com/
Interior Paint Calculator
Thinking about painting the living room? This website will tell you how many gallons of paint that you will need to do that room.
http://tinyurl.com/ttg3b
Festivals
This website has listings for fairs and festivals all over the U.S.
http://www.festivals.com/
|
|
