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E-Mail Virus - New Electronic Gadgets Can Contain Viruses
You've heard about computer viruses that invade your computer
via e-mails or pop-up ads. But now damaging viruses are showing up inside
electronic gadgets shipped straight from manufacturers. Consumers are
reporting that new products they've purchased, such as digital picture frames
and GPS navigation systems, contained viruses that spread to their computers
via USB cable. These viruses can steal passwords, open doors for hackers, and
make computers spew spam.
How does it happen? Industry experts aren't sure yet, since manufacturers are
keeping detailed information confidential. However, it appears that the
occurrences may be accidental, taking place in the final stages of production
after the electronics come off Chinese assembly lines. For instance, if
employees unwittingly use their own infected devices with a computer at the
plant and the same computer is used later to test electronics, those newly
made products could become contaminated.
You can protect against most factory-loaded viruses on electronics by running
an antivirus program on your computer and keeping it up to date. This
software checks for known viruses and suspicious behaviors that indicate an
attack by malicious code, whether from a download or a gadget attached to
your computer. For additional information on how to protect your computer,
visit www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/default.mspx.
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Protect Your Data - FREE TRIAL!
Protect your data with Bolt LockBox
from Polar. Bolt Lockbox is easy to use computer back-up software that
continuously monitors your selected files and backs them up whenever they
change. Your files are stored in an offsite, state-of-the-art data center
where they can be easily retrieved in case of theft, computer crashes or
natural disasters. Store your farm or business records, family
pictures....any files that are important to you.
Start protecting your data today!! Sign up for Bolt LockBox
by July 31, 2008 and receive FREE installation and your first GB FREE for 3
months! To find out more e-mail us at sales@polarcomm.com or call
701-284-7221 today!
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Ask The Help Desk - Are Pop-ups Dangerous?
Question: The pop-ups that appear when I visit websites can
definitely be annoying since they clutter up the screen. But can they pose a
serious threat to my computer?
Answer: A pop-up is a small Web browser window that automatically
appears on top of the website you're viewing. Most often, pop-ups display
advertising from legitimate businesses. They can, however, be tied to threats
such as phishing scams designed to trick you into revealing personal or
financial information. If pop-ups open even when you're not surfing the Web,
it could be a sign that your computer is infected with intrusive spyware or malware.
Not all pop-ups are annoying or potentially harmful. Some trusted websites
use pop-ups for specific tasks and you may need to view them in order to
complete the task. For example, a bill pay site or hotel reservation site may
generate a pop-up with a calendar inside to assist with scheduling.
Most leading browsers have pop-up blockers turned on by default, and search
engines such as Google and Yahoo include an additional pop-up blocker in
their toolbars. As a user, you have the ability to enable, disable, or adjust
pop-up blockers to fit your needs. Simply follow the steps in the "Short
Tutorial" section below.
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Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In July
The Road Best Traveled
http://byways.org - This
summer consider making a car trip that's more about the road itself rather
than the final destination. Selected roads throughout the U.S. have been designated America's
Byways based on natural, historic, or cultural qualities. No two are the
same, yet all reflect something uniquely American. The National Scenic Byways
Program website provides maps and directions, ideas on stops to make, photos,
visitor information, and links to related travel sites.
Wonderful World of Watermelon
http://www.watermelon.org - Nothing
goes over better at a picnic than a big, juicy slice of watermelon. Not only
is watermelon delicious, it's also versatile, nutritious, and relatively
inexpensive. The National Watermelon Promotion Board website offers great
recipes, tips on decorations, games and activities for kids, and suggestions
on how to make watermelon part of a healthy diet.
Fight Bac!
http://fightbac.org - Keeping
bacteria from spoiling your next picnic or cookout is easier than you might
think. The mission of the Partnership for Food Safety Education is to educate
the public about safe food handling, and they recommend following four simple
steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Their website offers details on
these bacteria prevention methods, as well as facts on the causes, symptoms,
and challenges of foodborne illness.
Phoenix Mars Mission
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu - NASA's
Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars in late May and is busy collecting data to
help determine if Mars could support life, what the history of water is at
the landing site, and how the Martian climate is affected by polar dynamics.
Follow the progress of the fascinating Phoenix Mars Mission at this site.
Read the latest news, view photos and videos of the spacecraft and its
surroundings on Mars, and download materials to learn more about the science,
technology, and engineering involved in space exploration.
Convenient Conversion
http://zamzar.com - Sometimes
communication in the digital world requires speaking a different language. In
computing terms, this often means converting files to new formats. Zamzar is a free, online file conversion service that
allows you to change image, document, music, video, and other types of files
into various formats. The service involves four simple steps, and converted
files are sent directly to your e-mail account. This site comes in handy, for
example, when you receive an e-mail attachment that you can't open with your
computer's software.
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Short Tutorial - Adjusting Your Pop-up Blocker Settings
As we mentioned in the "Ask The Help Desk" section,
pop-ups can sometimes be annoying or potentially dangerous and other times
they can be quite useful. So how do you block unwanted pop-ups and still
allow pop-ups on selected websites? Follow the steps below for your browser
to adjust your pop-up blocker settings and enter your preferences.
Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Internet Explorer 7
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP SP2 Home Edition or Vista Home
Premium
1. With Internet
Explorer 7 open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" on the menu
bar.
2. Select
"Internet Options" from the drop-down menu. The Internet Options
window will appear.
3. Select the
"Privacy" tab.
4. In the "Pop-up
Blocker" section, select the "Settings" button. The Pop-up
Blocker Settings window will appear.
5. Here you can enter
websites that you want to allow to display pop-ups by entering the website
address and clicking on "Add." You can also remove previously
entered websites if you no longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
6. Also in the Pop-up
Blocker Settings window, you can select which filter level you are most
comfortable with by choosing from the drop-downs in the "Filter
level" section.
7. Click
"Close" to exit.
Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Firefox 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Macintosh OS X 10.4
1. With Firefox 2.0
open, click your cursor arrow on "Firefox" on the menu bar.
2. Select
"Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
3. Select the
"Content" icon. The "Block pop-up windows" option should
have a check mark next to it.
4. To change the
Pop-up Blocker Preferences, select the "Exceptions" button. The
Allowed Sites - Popups window will appear.
5. Here you can enter
websites that you want to allow to display pop-ups by entering the website
address and clicking on "Allow." You can also remove previously
entered websites if you no longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
6. Click on the red
circle in the upper left corner of the Allowed Sites - Popups
window to exit.
Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Firefox 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP SP2 Home Edition or Vista Home
Premium
1. With Firefox 2.0
open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" on the menu bar.
2. Select
"Options" from the drop-down menu. The Options window will appear.
3. Select the
"Content" icon. The "Block pop-up windows" option should
have a check mark next to it.
4. To change the
Pop-up Blocker Preferences, select the "Exceptions" button. The
Allowed Sites - Popups window will appear.
5. Here you can enter
websites that you want to allow to display pop-ups by entering the website
address and clicking on "Allow." You can also remove previously
entered websites if you no longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
6. Click
"Close" to exit.
Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Safari 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Macintosh OS X 10.4
1. With Safari 3.0
open, click your cursor arrow on "Safari" on the menu bar.
2. Select
"Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
3. Select the
"Security" icon. The "Block pop-up windows" option should
have a check mark next to it.
4. To allow pop-ups,
deselect the check box next to the "Block pop-up windows" option.
5. Click on the red
circle in the upper left corner of the open window to exit.
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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our
way of keeping you posted on the happenings here. If, however, you'd prefer
not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
The
E-Connections Team
Polar Communications
110 4th St E
Park River, ND 58270
800-284-7222
(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the
information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim,
any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions,
whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other
causes.)
©2008
Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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