TECHIE TIPS & TRICKS FOR NEWBIES
                                           (and "not so newbies") 
                                                          by

There is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about if you are an Internet Newbie.  We ALL were there at some time or other  and didn't come out of the womb knowing how to do this stuff...we  depended on others to help us.  I learn something new every day and  hope I never stop learning!  If you have questions, ask!  If I can answer them, I will.   If I can't, I will try to find someone who can.  Send any questions to me at lebaroness2@cox.net

TOPICS COVERED SO FAR

   (Click on item to find in page)
 

AOL Graphic Problems

 

Clearing your AOL, Internet Explorer and Netscape Cache

Windows Shortcut Keys

 

Magic Roman Numerals using MS Word

 

Back up these files before editing Windows Registry

 

DeBugging your computer with "Bugnosis"

 

Computer Security Information Article

 

Finding an older version of a program

 

Defrag Woes?

 

Virus Alert!!!

 

Yet another Virus Alert  (Fwd: Peace BeTweeN  AmeriCa and IsLaM!)

 

Windows Quickie Tips

 

Internet Hoaxes, Virus & Urban Legends

 

Perfect Hoax Example!

 

Should you upgrade to Win XP?

 

What do those "F" keys do?

 

Watch out for the Gigger Worm!

 

Yet another Virus (for real) warning, dated Feb. 28, 2002

 

Don't Delete Your Teddy Bear!

 

WTC Survivor Virus Hoax

 

What is the Windows Logo key on my keyboard used for?

 

Never Respond to SPAM!

 

Dangerous Pop-Up Blocker

 

Beware of Spyware!

 

More Cursors to Cuss at!

 

New Virus:  Asks for Credit Card info!

 

Backing Up Your IE Favorites

 

How to send bcc (Blind Carbon Copies) on AOL

 

How to tell the difference between the letter l and numeral 1

 

Need free graphing paper?  Here's all you could want!

 

Inserting Music into e-mail (only works with Outlook Express)

 

When is an anti-spyware program NOT an anti-spyware program?

 

Handy Text Enlargement Tip

 

eBAY'S Telephone Number

 

Dead or Alive? (Famous People Search)

Running System Restore from a Command Prompt

 

If you're an America Online user, you may have noticed that AOL sometimes has trouble displaying Web graphics. This is because AOL rarely shows an actual web page to its members. Usually, it's a copy of the real web site.  Images are copied as well and their file sizes are reduced, which also reduces the quality.

If you use AOL as your browser and you want to view  the images as they were intended to be viewed, you'll need to turn the graphics compression off:

• Connect to AOL
• Click on "My AOL" …. it’s on the top, in the middle … a menu will drop down
• Click on "Preferences" … a window will pop up with various options
• Click on "WWW"  ... a window will come up displaying "Internet Options"
• Click on the tab that says "Web Graphics"
• You'll see a box next to the phrase "Use Compressed Graphics"… uncheck the box … click "OK" to close the window.
• Close the "Preferences" window by clicking the "X"

That's it!  :-) 

 
Clearing out your Temporary Internet Files will NOT damage your computer or hamper your web-browsing. In fact, it's a good practice to clear out your cache once a week. Think of it like changing the oil in your car at regular intervals... it's good, healthy maintenance. 

Here's how to clear your cache with AOL 5: 

• Click the "My AOL" button near the top of your AOL screen. 
• From the drop down list, select "Preferences". 
• In the window that opens, click the button with the "W" on it, and "www" beneath it. 
• This will open a window labeled "Internet Options". Find the heading for "Temporary Internet Files", and press the [Delete Files] button. 
• Press the [OK] button in the window that pops up (you don't need to put a check in the little box) 
• Now click OK again, and close the Preferences window. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's how to clear your cache with AOL 6: 

• Click the Settings button near the top of your AOL window. 
• Choose "Preferences" and then select "Internet Properties". 
• This will open a window labeled "Internet Options". Find the heading for "Temporary Internet Files", and press the [Delete Files] button. 
• Press the [OK] button in the window that pops up (you don't need to put a check in the little box) 
• Now click OK again, and close the Preferences window. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's how to clear your cache with AOL 7 or AOL 8: 

• Click the Aqua-colored 'Settings' box at the top of the AOL Window 
• Click Preferences from the pop-up Menu 
• In the Preferences window, click on 'Internet Properties (WWW)' 
• The AOL Internet Properties window will pop-up. Click the 'Delete Files...' button under 'Temporary Internet Files' 
• Click OK when it asks "Delete all files in the Temporary Internet folder?". You don't need to check the box. 
• When it's done deleting (your cursor will return to normal) click OK at the bottom of that window. 
• Close the Preferences Window. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's how to clear your cache with Internet Explorer 6.x browsers:

• Launch your Internet Explorer browser
• Click on the 'Tools' menu at the top of the browser
• Click on 'Internet Options' from the drop-down menu
• Click on the 'Delete Cookies' button
• Click on the 'Delete Files' button
• Click 'OK'
• Close your browser and restart Internet Explorer

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here's how to clear your cache with Netscape 6.x or 7.x browsers: 

• Choose 'Edit' from the main menu (at the top of the Netscape window) 
• Click on 'Preferences', and the preferences window will pop-up. 
• In the 'Category' box on the left, click on the triangle next to 'Advanced'. It's towards the bottom of the list. 
• Click on 'Cache' 
• Click the 'Clear Memory Cache' button. 
• Click the 'Clear disk Cache' button. 
• Click 'OK' at the bottom. 
• Now close all open Netscape windows and re-start Netscape.

 

 
Make quick work out of word processing with these keyboard shortcuts:

* Ctrl+A selects all items. (Hold down the Ctrl key and
then press the A key.)

* Ctrl+C copies anything that you have selected.
*Ctrl+F finds text.
*Ctrl+H searches and replaces text.

* Ctrl+V pastes your most recently saved object to wherever your mouse cursor appears. (Here's an easy way to remember this shortcut: Imagine that the V is an "insert here" caret.) 

* Ctrl+X cuts any selected text.

If you remember nothing else, remember THIS one:

* Ctrl+Z undoes your last action.*

 
Open a new MS Word document, and hold down the CTRL and ALT keys while pressing the L key. After several formatted numbers, the program will display sequential Roman Numerals as long as you hold 
down the keys.

Try it and you'll see!

(The above tip is from the Kim Komando Newsletter. 
It's FREE. Subscribe today.)

 
This one is for the more advanced user, but all of you should remember it. 

Back up your Registry files--System.dat and User.dat, hidden files on the root of your hard drive--before doing ANY Registry editing in Windows. If you're unsure how to do this, contact me and I'll explain it in detail.

 
Web bugs are tiny graphics coded into Web pages or e-mail messages designed to monitor and track your online activity. These sneaky one-pixel files are nearly invisible, and can be used to gather your IP address, the URL of the bugged page, the date and time you viewed the bugged content, the type of browser you use, along with any previously set cookie values (which may include your name and address if you've filled out online forms).

You can use Bugnosis (a free download from the Privacy Foundation) to "debug" your browsing. As you surf, this utility analyzes content and alerts you if it finds any Web bugs. When Bugnosis finds one of these little critters, you don't have to respond, but if you want, you can examine the details of the bug, and in some cases send an e-mail to the nasty "bugger."

Download your own Bugnosis at:

http://www.bugnosis.org

(The above tip is from the Kim Komando Newsletter. 
It's FREE. Subscribe today.)

 
With the virus problem becoming more prevalent daily, it is a "must" for computer users to protect themselves.  An anti-virus program is one way, but for cable modem and DSL users, a "firewall" is also needed to protect intruders from accessing and possibly compromising your system.  As a new cable modem user myself, I've been looking into this area and found an excellent article which explains the basics about this subject, not only for broad band users, but also dial-up users.  Here is their own description of the article:

"This document gives home users an overview of the security risks and countermeasures associated with Internet connectivity, especially in the context of 'always-on' or broad band access services (such as cable modems and DSL). However, much of the content is also relevant to traditional dial-up users (users who connect to the Internet using a modem)." 

http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/home_networks.html

 
Let's face it, sometimes newer doesn't equate with better.  For instance, let's say you once had a program that you liked, such as a game, but you've had a computer crash and it's now gone from your hard drive.  So, you head back to the place where you remember obtaining it and sure enough, there it is, except it's different!  Some features have been added that you just don't like.  What are you going to do?  Suffer with the new version or hunt high and low for the old one? 

I may be able to save you some time.  There is one site which archives older versions of programs.  When Pretty Good Solitaire added bells and whistles I thought were totally unnecessary, I looked for an older version, but every download site seemed to have nothing but the new version where I'd once found an old version of another program I'd lost.  This link has a lot of good stuff:

http://www.oldversion.com/

They don't claim to have each incarnation of every program, but they do try to keep as much older stuff available as they can. 

Another option is to browse the archives of ftp (File Transfer Protocol) sites.  I've found these two most
likely to find what you need.

First you'll need to download an FTP  program.  My choice is WS_FTP, which has a trial version.  Once the program is installed and your information is filled out (Your name is Anonymous and Port 21 is the default if that has you scratching your head in frustration) then click "Connect" and type either of these addresses in the address area of either of these two archive sites which give you the best chance of finding 

1.  ftp://papa.indstate.edu/ 

Click on the winsock-l folder for an alphabetical list of program types.  Open a folder for a particular      program.

2.  ftp://ftp.simtel.net/ 

This is a basic archive.  Simtel also has programs for Windows 95 (which will work in newer versions of 
Windows such as 98 and ME) and a folder for XP  programs

ftp://ftp.simtel.net/.2/simtelnet/win95
ftp://ftp.simtel.net/.2/simtelnet/winxp

If you are FTP challenged, you can type these addresses into your web browser.  I just prefer the speed
of FTP downloading.

 
Getting Scandisk and Defrag to run...advice for different operating systems.

Windows requires exclusive access to the hard drive in order to perform any disk maintenance. Restarting your machine in Safe Mode is a sure fire way of giving Windows exclusive access to the hard drive. Get the step-by-step instructions here!

Q: How do I restart my system in Safe Mode to run Scandisk and Defrag? 

A: You may find that you need to start Windows in Safe Mode at some point. This is most often the case if you are having problems with disk maintenance utilities. 
Here is a guide that shows you how to restart in Safe mode in the following versions of Windows:
 

- Windows 95 
- Windows 98/ME 
- Windows 2000 
- Windows XP 
- Windows XP Home Edition

Windows 95
Click "Start". 
Select "Shutdown". 
Select "Restart The Computer" and click "OK". 
Repeatedly tap the "F8" key on your keyboard as your PC restarts 

If your PC starts beeping then pause for a few seconds before tapping again. 

Windows 98/ME
Click "Start". 
Select "Shutdown". 
Select "Restart The Computer" and click "OK". 
During restart, hold down the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard until the Windows Startup menu appears. 
If your PC starts beeping then release the key for a few seconds before holding it down again.
Select "Safe Mode" from the Startup menu, and press the "Enter" button on your keyboard. 

Windows 2000
Click "Start". 
Select "Shutdown". 
Select "Restart" and click "OK". 
During restart, hold down the "F8" key on your keyboard until the Windows Startup menu appears. 
If your PC starts beeping then release the key for a few seconds before holding it down again. 
Select "Safe Mode" from the Startup menu, and press the "Enter" button on your keyboard. 

Windows XP
Click "Start". 
Select "Turn off computer". 
Select "Restart". 
During restart, hold down the "F8" key on your keyboard until the Windows Startup menu appears. 
If your PC starts beeping then release the key for a few seconds before holding it down again. 
Select "Safe Mode" from the Startup menu, and press the "Enter" button on your keyboard. 

How do I get my system out of safe mode when it's done? Simple, just restart your machine!

 
4/30/02 - McAfee.com has seen a growing number of computers infected with W32/Klez.h@MM.  This is considered wide-spread.  Do NOT open attachments unless you know what they are!  Some (ONLY a sampling) of the subject lines are:

Subject: A very funny website
Subject: 1996 Microsoft Corporation
Subject: Hello,honey
Subject: Initing esdi 
Subject: Editor of PC Magazine. 
Subject: Some questions 

Update your anti-virus .dat files NOW!

*****************************************************************************

According to SARC, the W32.Nimda.A@mm is a new mass mailing worm that utilizes multiple methods to spread itself. The worm sends itself out by email, searches for open network shares, and attempts to copy itself to un-patched Microsoft IIS web servers.
END USERS:

To help guard against this worm, make sure Internet Explorer has been updated with the latest security patches.  You can download them at:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/q290108/default.asp

Users visiting compromised Web servers will be prompted to download a "readme.exe" file, which contains the worm as an attachment.  (See Below)
 
 

IF YOU VISIT A WEB SITE THAT PROMPTS YOU WITH THE ABOVE DIALOG BOX, CLICK CANCEL!  DO NOT DOWNLOAD AND OPEN THIS FILE!

If sent via e-mail, the attachment name varies and may use the icon for an Internet Explorer HTML document. The email messages created by the worm specify a content-type of audio/x-wav with an executable attachment type. Thus when a message is accessed, the attachment can be executed without the user's knowledge. 

The worm will also create an open network share on the infected computer, allowing access to the system via the Internet, which can thoroughly compromise corporate networks.

Once infected, your system is used to seek out others to infect over the web. As this creates a lot of port scanning, this can cause a network traffic jam.

It copies itself to the WINDOWS SYSTEM directory as LOAD.EXE and creates a SYSTEM.INI entry to load itself at startup:

Shell=explorer.exe load.exe -dontrunold
 

has posted the following removal instructions for their customers. THIS WILL ONLY WORK IF YOU ARE RUNNING A CURRENT VERSION OF THE MCAFEE ANTI-VIRUS PROGRAM! 

Infected systems must apply these patches and close any network shares prior to cleaning or re-infection may take place. 

All end users and administrators running Microsoft Internet Explorer (ver 5.01 or 5.5), are advised to install this patch for the Incorrect MIME Header Can Cause IE to Execute E-mail Attachment vulnerability.

Retail McAfee VirusScan users, click here to get the latest DAT file to detect and clean this virus. 

 
The W32.Vote.A@mm is a mass mailing worm written in the Visual Basic language and is delivered via e-mail. When executed, the worm will attempt to email itself to all contacts in the Microsoft Outlook address book.

The email will appear as follows.

Subject: Fwd:Peace BeTweeN AmeriCa and IsLaM!

Message: 
Hi
iS iT A waR Against AmeriCa Or IsLaM !?
Let's Vote To Live in Peace!

Attachment: WTC.EXE

If you contract this worm, the following will occur:

- Emails everyone in the Microsoft Outlook address book 
- After a reboot, the worm attempts to delete all files in the Windows folder 
- All files with the extension "htm" or "html" will be overwritten. 
- If the Backdoor.Trojan was successfully downloaded and installed, anyone could gain full access to the computer.

As usual, if you simply refrain from opening e-mail file attachments (especially those that have an *.exe extension) from anyone, including people that you trust, you can avoid this worm.

Be sure to update your anti-virus program at least once a week if you are a frequent e-mail user.

(Reprinted from http://www.computerproblems.com/)

 
Don't be taken in by Internet worm Gigger, which poses as a Microsoft update. The worm attempts to delete all the hard drive files upon reboot.

Gigger (js.gigger.a@mm) attempts to spread itself to everyone in your Outlook Address Book, propagate via mIRC, and copy itself to computers connected on a local network. Gigger then tries to delete all the files on your hard drive the next time the computer reboots. Written in JavaScript, this 17K worm uses the Windows Scripting Host to execute on infected systems. Although there have been few reports of it worldwide, Gigger has the potential to damage computers and overwhelm e-mail servers and currently ranks a 6 on the ZDNet Virus Meter.

Gigger arrives as e-mail. The subject line reads either "Outlook Express Update" or has the e-mail address of the recipient. The body text says either "MSNSofware Co." or "Microsoft Outlook 98." The attached file is always mmsn_offline.htm.

Reprinted from http://www.zdnet.com/reviews/

 
Delete files without the Recycle Bin: Hold down the Shift key while deleting a file permanently gets rid of it (be careful, there's no second chance with this).

Speedy Windows restart: Hold down the Shift key as you select OK in the Shut Down Windows dialog box. Windows restarts without rebooting the computer.

(The above tips are from the Kim Komando Newsletter. 
It's FREE. Subscribe today.

 
Every once in a while you may get some relevant information via chain letter which  refers to an existing virus or worm, or a "be careful" warning that a certain date may set off a virus you may have on your computer, such as "Michaelangelo."  Those are "REAL."  However, for the most part, chain letters are only a pain, serving no purpose but to scare you and send the message on to everyone else you know to scare the you-know-what outta them.

What can you do before telling people the sky is falling?  It's easy.  Take five minutes and LOOK IT UP!  There are a myriad of sites with lists of fake warnings, but the two most valuable to me are:

Hoax du Jour

Hoaxbusters Hoaxbusters has been shut down.  Use Snopes instead:

Snopes:     http://www.snopes.com/

Hoax du Jour deals more with Urban Legends (you know, someone steals your vital organs while you sleep, or Bill Gates and AOL are joining forces and sending you money just for being the wonderful person you are).  The current scare is taking advantage of our very understandable jitters due to 9/11.  It starts off with, "I think you all know that I don't send out hoaxes and don't do the reactionary thing and send out anything that crosses my path..." and the gist is, her Afghani boyfriend warns not to go into malls or fly on Halloween.  NO SUCH THING EXISTS, but still, be alert as to your surroundings and be aware of  the things the news talks about...anything that's strange or out-of-the-ordinary should be reported to the proper authorities.  These are troubled times and we all have to be cautious, but be smart, too and don't fall for these gimmicks designed to make your fears even worse.

Hoaxbusters is more geared to the virus warnings we hear about, multiplied to the nth degree, plus has categories such as Giveaways, Sympathy Letters and Requests to Help Someone, Threat Chains, Scare Chains, Scam Chains, etc., as well as an interesting "True Legends" area.  They have a searchable database as well. 

So the next time you see a letter starting out with "I don't normally forward, etc.," be forewarned, take note of the subject matter and click on one of the above links.  Chances are, you'll find it there.

 
You get an e-mail from your best buddy telling you that he is so sorry but you accidentally were sent a virus from his computer.  The name of this virus is "sulfnbk.exe" and if you click on it, you're dead meat...bye-bye hard drive.  Here's an actual example of the letter being spread through the net:

Subject: BAD virus - act quickly!!

Subject: Please Act Urgently

VIRUS COULD BE IN YOUR COMPUTER

It will become activate on June 1st and will delete all files and folders on the hard drive.
No Anti-Virus software can detect it because it doesn't become a VIRUS until 
(pick a date). It travels through the e-mail and migrates to your computer.
To find it please follow the following directions:

Go to "Start". Then to "Find" or  "Search" (depending on your computer) 

In the "Search for files or  folders" type sulfnbk.exe--this is the name
of the virus.

In the  "Look in" section, make sure you are searching Drive C. 

Hit  "Search" or "Find".

If your search finds this file, it will be an  ugly blackish icon that will have the name 
sulfnbk.exe. DO NOT OPEN IT! If it  does not show up on your first "Search", try a "New Search". 

RIGHT  click on the file--go down to "Delete" and LEFT click. say yes.

Go to your Desktop (where all your icons are), and right click on the Recycle Bin and 
either manually delete the sulfnbk.exe program or empty the entire bin. 

 If you found the virus on your system, send this or a  similar email to
all in your address book because this is how it is transferred.

WELL!  If that's not enough to scare you, I don't know what is!  And guess what?  You WILL find the file.  So will everyone else.  Why?  The real sulfnbk.exe 
program is a Windows program that is used to restore long file names. You will find it in the \Windows\Command folder. 

So, even your best buddy could be acting with the best intentions (mine did!) by warning you, and if you didn't know any better, wouldn't you want to protect anyone who you'd mailed too?  But you DO know better because you read this and will immediately go to Snopes when you get a warning that something running wild on the net!  As always, keep your virus .dat  files up to date!  Practice safe surfing.

 
First run the Windows Upgrade Advisor found here:
.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

If you can upgrade, and most people can, especially with an inexpensive memory bump to 256 MB, it's recommended . Wait if you are using Windows 2000. Though XP is faster, you already have enhanced stability. But if you are running the brain-damaged  Windows Me or you're just tired of crashy Windows, spend the money. 

NOTE:  Microsoft has ended assisted support for Windows 95 as of December 31, 2001 and Windows 98 on June 30, 2003.

 
Every keyboard has a row of keys along the top marked with the letter F. Here's what some of them do:

F1 - Need help? If you want to get help while working in a selected program just press this key.

F2 - After highlighting a file or folder in Windows Explorer, press this key to rename it. Press Enter to move on.

F3 - Press this key while working in Windows Explorer or on the desktop to generate the "Find Files" window.

F4 - Press this key to open the Address bar in Internet Explorer. To close an open window press Alt + F4.

F5 - You can make sure the Web page you are viewing contains the latest information by pressing F5 to refresh it. And by the way, it does the same thing when you are looking at files in Windows Explorer.

F6 - Press this key to move the cursor around in Windows Explorer.

F7-F12 - The F11 key toggles between a regular-sized Internet Explorer window and a full-sized one. It also works in Windows Explorer. Otherwise, these keys don't appear to do much in Windows. But they may in other programs. You just never know. In MS Word for example, F7 pulls up the spell checker and F10 activates the menu. Handy to remember if you lose your mouse and need to save a file when working in Word!

From the Kim Komando Newsletter
Subscribe!  It's free.

 
If you post to online message boards, please use a web-based mail address for replying purposes.  There seems to be a nasty virus finding its way into computers via message board e-mail addresses.  The attachment is called "text.scr" and carries the subject of something you yourself have posted on a web message board, such as "see attached file" with your subject quoted in the line, so of course you'd be interested in opening it.  DON'T.  Have people write you at your web based mail address to avoid corrupting your hard drive.  Some of the newer viruses can get through to your hard drive via Outlook Express whether they are opened or not, so be aware of any attachment at all, no matter who it's from.

Apparently this latest is slipping through even Norton Anti-Virus, so be doubly sure your virus .dat files are updated.

 
There is a hoax going around the net that warns you to delete a file called jdbmgr.exe. This file is the Java Debugger Manager and does have an icon that looks like a Teddy Bear.  It is NOT a virus!

 
Some really nasty people out there, folks.  They started a chain letter that starts out with these 
words:  "BIGGGG TROUBLE !!!! DO NOT OPEN "WTC Survivor"...it is a HOAX.  NOT a virus!

 
What is the Windows Logo key on my keyboard used for?

The Windows logo key is an anchor for many keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts have been a part of computing since the beginning and where a necessity before the days of the mouse.  Microsoft has programmed into the different versions of Windows, some helpful keyboard shortcuts that use the Windows key as the basis.

For instance, simply clicking the Windows key will launch the “Start Menu” which could be very helpful if your mouse ever fails or if you don’t want to take your hand off of the keyboard to click on the mouse. (Use the arrow keys in all of the tips to toggle between the different options.)

The Windows key + R will launch the RUN dialog box that allows you to manually run a program.

The Windows Key + D will minimize all of the open windows, which clears your screen and displays the desktop without closing the currently open programs.  (Pressing it again will bring everything back to the way it was.)

The often ignored Help program that is built into Windows can be accessed by using the combination of Windows key + F1 (the first function key at the top of the keyboard usually to the right of the escape key).

The Windows Explorer, which is a file manager can be launched with the Windows key + E combination.

The next time you want to search for a file or folder on your computer, try using the Windows key + F to launch the Find or Search utility.

If you are on a network and need to find a specific computer, you can launch the Find Computer dialog box with the Ctrl + Windows key + F combination.

Windows key + Tab allows you to change the focus on the open programs of the Task Bar (another helpful tip when your mouse fails!) so that you can press the space bar to open the program.

One of my favorites is the Windows key + Break (usually above the arrow keys) which opens the System Properties dialog box, which is an often visited area of the computer for anyone that works on them.

In Windows XP, you can access the Utility Manager by using the Windows + U combination. The Utility Manager is used to activate the Magnifying option, the Narrator (which is a text-to-speech program that acts as a basic screen reader for the visually impaired) and the on-screen keyboard.

The Windows key + L will lock the workstation in Windows XP, which is a handy privacy feature for anyone in an office full of nosy people!

No matter what window you open with the Windows logo key, you can close them at any time with the universal “Close” keyboard command of Alt-F4.

If you want to know all of the available keyboard shortcuts for your version of Windows, open the help menu (Windows key + F1) and search for keyboard shortcuts! 

Above tip courtesy of  http://computerproblems.com

 
Never respond to Spam, just delete it. Even if the message claims that you can remove yourself from the list by responding, often times it is simply a ploy to get you to verify your address. Remember, these people did not follow the rules when they sent you the first message, so don’t expect them to be stand-up cyber citizens when you request removal from their list. The folks that participate in this form of marketing make the majority of their money by selling ‘verified’ lists to other Spammers.

Above tip courtesy of  http://computerproblems.com
 

The ZeroPopUp Companion Toolbar promises to stop those irritating ads. And maybe it does. But it also adds aggravation to your life.

The download for this thing includes a viral Trojan. This program, Tellafriend, goes to Windows and Eudora address books and sends spam to addresses there. And it tells people that you are recommending it.  Meanwhile, the Toolbar changes your Internet Explorer home page. And it changes your search engine. You can get more information at:

 
   http://vil.mcafee.com/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=100063

   http://vil.mcafee.com/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=100065
 

The above tip is from the Kim Komando Newsletter. 
It's FREE. Subscribe today.
 

BEWARE OF SPYWARE!  "COMET CURSOR" IS A SNOOP!

You might come across the program called "Comet Cursor"while browsing the Internet. While this is a very cute program with lots of interesting and animated cursors, it has a hidden agenda in that it tracks your browsing habits and sends them to advertisers. This in itself is not dangerous to your computer, but you might want to think twice before giving anyone access to stuff that should be private. 

And, one more cursor intruder rears its head, taking advantage of Memorial Day & the Fourth of July:
 

BE CAREFUL WITH "FREE" CURSORS

Just in time for Memorial Day, myFreecursors.com is offering, well, more or less free cursors. Some of them are pretty cool, including animated versions of a waving flag and a walking Statue of Liberty.

Before you download a cursor, though, be sure to read the privacy statement at the bottom of the page. Along with the cursor, you get three other programs. One is adware, which reports your surfing interests back to a Web computer.  Also transmitted is your name and any other private information you've inadvertently given them.  You will then get pop-up ads tailored to your interests. How nice.

If you already have this stuff, you can uninstall it. Click Start>> Control Panel (in Windows 98 and ME, click Start>>Settings>>Control Panel). Double click Add/Remove Programs. Each of the programs installed by myFreecursor.com has to be uninstalled separately.  Remember, just removing the cursors themselves does not remove the programs.  You'll find their names in the privacy statement.

(The above tip is from the Kim Komando Newsletter. 
It's FREE. Subscribe today.)
 

BEWARE...NEW VIRUS!!!

MIMAIL ASKS FOR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION

MiMail.J is the newest iteration of a virus that's been around for several weeks. This one warns that the victim's PayPal account is about to be cancelled. It opens a Web page that looks like it is from PayPal,
and asks for the victim's credit card information. Don't fall for it.

(The above tip is from the Kim Komando Newsletter. 
It's FREE. Subscribe today.)
 

BACKING UP "IE FAVORITES" FOR USE ELSEWHERE

Many people aren't aware that they can back up their 'Favorites' folder from Internet Explorer 6 to use in another browser, another PC, or just for safe keeping. 

Follow the steps below: 
1. Select 'Import' & 'Export' from IE's File menu 
2. Choose 'Export Favorites' and click on 'Next' 
3. Select the main 'Favorites' folder for the source folder and hit 'Next' 
4. Click on 'Export to a File or Address' 
5. Select a filename to hold the Favorites list, then click 'Next' 
6. Finally, hit the 'Finish' option 

You now have an HTML file containing your 'Favorites' and all submenus, in an outline form. Now you can store this on a disc for backup, copy it to another PC and import it, or launch the HTML file and click on the links. 

(Reprinted from: http://www.computerproblems.com/)

HOW TO SEND "BCC" (BLIND CARBON COPIES) ON AOL.

If you use Outlook Express to send e-mail, sending a "cc" or "bcc" is easy.  You see the black "cc" line
right under the address line, or view "Show All Headers" to see the "bcc" line.  However, AOL's mail
is a little different and you may want to take a look at these steps for just one simple reason; NETIQUETTE, which means respecting others online.  When you send a laundry list of recipients to
your e-mail it is considered improper.  An e-mail should not allow others to see anyone's e-mail address
except that of the sender.  Here's how you can easily hide them, and let the recipient think he/she got
the only copy at the same time!

• To begin, on the AOL Toolbar, click Write. 
• In Send To, type the e-mail address(es) of the primary recipient(s). 
• In Copy To, type the e-mail address(es) of the recipient(s) of blind copies in parentheses. For example: (aolmember1, aolmember2, aolmember3), etc.
• In Subject, type a brief description of your message. 
• In the large text box, type your message.
• When you have finished, click Send Now.
• So, basically, you just enter the e-mail addresses in parentheses if you do not want them seen.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thank you to my friend Carie Van Dam for the above information.
 

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NUMBER 1 AND THE LETTER L
WHEN TYPING IN LOWER CASE

From time to time I receive e-mails which contain both the lower case letter l (L) and the number 1.  Using some fonts it's almost impossible to tell which is which.  There is a way to tell by using any word processor such as MS Word or Word Perfect.  Copy the e-mail address to the word processor and set the font to something other than what the default font is.  (In MS Word and Word Perfect it's usually Times New Roman, one of the most difficult to differentiate between "1" and "l".)

Below  is an example of the same  paragraph using the font Comic Sans.  Note that the number 1 has a serif (foot and "flag") and the letter l does not.

From time to time I receive e-mails which contain both the lower case letter l (L) and the number 1.  Using some fonts it's almost impossible to tell which is which.  There is a way to tell by using any word processor such as MS Word or Word Perfect.  Copy the e-mail address to the word processor and set the font to something other than what the default font is.  (In MS Word and Word Perfect it's usually Times New Roman, one of the most difficult to differentiate between "1" and "l".)