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Free
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Greetings from
Polar's E-Connections Team
We think
you'll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable
tool for enhancing your Internet experience. If, however, you'd prefer not to
receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click HERE. |
Free Windows XP Service
Pack (SP2) - Promises Better
Protection From Hackers, Viruses, And Worms
Microsoft Corp. recently
announced the release of the long-awaited security software update for its
popular Windows XP operating system. Dubbed "Service Pack 2" (SP2)
and costing almost one billion dollars to develop, this free software download
revises less than five percent of the millions of lines of code that make up
Windows XP. However, the software upgrade promises to make users of Windows XP
much safer from cyberattacks. SP2 adds protection by closing entries for
viruses, increasing spyware barriers, and improving the safeguards of users'
personal data. (Over 250 million copies of Windows XP have been sold
worldwide.) Note: Windows XP Service Pack 2 DOES NOT replace the need for
third-party virus protection, e-mail filtering, and firewall protection.
SP2 Is Potentially Buggy -- Download At Your Own Risk
As with any release of new software, there promises to be bugs. SP2 is no
exception. Even Microsoft admits that SP2 may cause software incompatibility
issues (programs not working properly) once a user downloads SP2. We suggest
that you contact your software vendors before you download SP2 to make sure
their software is compatible. Microsoft provides a link (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=842242)
on its site which lists dozens of software programs and games that may not work
correctly once SP2 is downloaded. Companies who have versions of software that
may not run correctly after the download include Symantec (anti-virus
software), Macromedia, and even many Microsoft products! This link also
provides information on how to resolve some of these incompatibility issues.
So keep in mind that, while Microsoft's Windows XP Service Pack (SP2) has many
new security features, it is still a work-in-progress. Download SP2 at your own
risk.
Major Security Features Of The New Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2):
Limited Firewall Protection - An Internet firewall helps to protect
against intruders gaining access to (hacking into) your computer via the
Internet. The firewall software, which currently comes as a part of the Windows
XP package known as the "Internet Connection Firewall" (ICF), is
replaced by a new firewall software called "Windows Firewall."
Windows Firewall, although not as comprehensive as many third-party firewalls,
is more robust than ICF. In addition, Windows Firewall is automatically
"on" as a default setting once the SP2 download is complete. (This is
the reason for many of the software program conflicts mentioned above.) Windows
XP's current firewall is not "on" by default. As a result, most
Windows XP users are not using nor were even aware of XP's current firewall
availability.
Pop-up Ad Blocker - SP2 installs and activates a pop-up ad blocker by
default for use when surfing the Internet via Internet Explorer. The settings
for this blocker are adjustable. You can shut the blocking software off if you
like pop-ups, use sites that require pop-ups to function properly, or enjoy
using your current ad blocking software.
E-mail and Instant Messaging Protection - New e-mail protection settings
are available. Also, security cautions appear when attempting to open or save
suspect attachments received by e-mail or during instant messaging sessions.
Downloading Windows XP Service Pack (SP2)
While the benefits of installing Service Pack 2 are many, users of Windows XP
may find challenges when downloading the software. Microsoft estimates that
download file sizes could range anywhere from 80 megabytes to 270 megabytes.
(Yikes!) Downloaded file sizes will vary because the operating system on a
user's computer will download only the components of SP2 that it needs. If a
user has been downloading security updates all along, the downloaded file will
be smaller and not take as long. The downloading of bigger files using slower
Internet connections could take as long as a few days according to Microsoft!
Rather than downloading the Windows XP Service Pack 2 via the Internet, an
alternative option is to obtain the software on CD-ROM. Microsoft Corp. will
soon begin taking requests at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
and ship CDs free of charge to Windows XP users. (Delivery may take up to two
months.) New boxed retail versions of Windows XP that include SP2 will be
available by the end of October 2004. So, if you are still using Windows 98 and
looking to upgrade your operating system to Windows XP, wait until November
2004 and be sure that SP2 is included as part of the package.
Note: Again, keep in mind that SP2 is a work-in-progress. Download SP2
at your own risk. Also, Microsoft provides a "restore point" option
in Windows which promises to "roll back" your computer to where it
was prior to the download of SP2. If you run Windows XP and intend to download
SP2, it may be prudent to create a "restore point" on your computer
as a safeguard prior to the download. See the tutorial below for step-by-step
information.
Pay Online - With Polar
Did you know you can pay
your Polar bill online? Paying online is convenient and easy to use.
Simply go to Polar's website at www.thinkpolar.com
and click on E-Statement. Then click the PAY BILL option, located on the
top of the screen, and it walks you through the process. Paying online gives
you options such as paying directly if you've misplaced your bill, paying while
on vacation or away on business, or paying your bill automatically
with a credit card each month, etc. In order to use Polar's E-Statement,
you'll need a username and password for security purposes. To inquire or get a
username and password, contact our billing department at billing@polarcomm.com or
1-800-284-7222.
Ask The Help Desk - Web Browser Not Accepting
"Cookies?"
Question: I have the cookie settings on
my Internet Explorer 6 browser disabled so that my computer does not accept any
cookies. I just came across a website that does not provide me with full access
to the site unless I accept its cookies. I have enabled my cookie settings so
that I can gain access to this site but it still won't allow me to access it.
What else do I need to do to make this work? (My operating system is Windows
XP.)
Answer: The cookie settings are more involved than just turning
them on or off when using Internet Explorer 6 on a PC. In fact, there are six
different cookie settings ranging from "Block All Cookies" to
"Accept All Cookies." The default setting is medium and if you've
adjusted it back to that, it's possible that the current setting is not low
enough for some sites. Gradually "loosen up" on your cookie settings
until the site works by clicking your cursor arrow on the "Tools"
menu, dropping down to "Internet Options," and then clicking on the
"Privacy" tab. Lower your cookie settings slider one notch and click
on the "Apply" button. Close the "Internet Options" window
and try your site again. If you are still unsuccessful, repeat the process by
lowering your cookie settings by one notch until the site works properly.
If your browser is still not accepting cookies from the site, close Internet
Explorer and relaunch it. Check your cookie settings and then try the site
again. If that still doesn't work, a restart of your computer may do the trick.
Great Sites To Check Out
This Month
Find Out How Hybrid
Autos Work
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm -
With the recent increase in fuel costs, there's been more talk about hybrid
cars. Hybrid technology (uses two or more sources of power to provide
propulsion) has been around for a while. Many locomotives and buses combine
diesel and electric power. Some submarines utilize either diesel-electric or
nuclear-electric power. Mopeds combine the power derived from a gasoline engine
with the pedal power of its rider. But what goes on under the hood of a hybrid
auto that can give you 20 to 30 additional miles per gallon compared to a
traditional gasoline-powered auto? This site reveals all!
Trump's "The Apprentice" Returns For Second Season
http://www.nbc.com/nbc/The_Apprentice_2/ -
The first season of NBC's "The Apprentice" was a huge hit. Last
spring, an average of 20.7 million people watched the television show each
week. The Donald returns this month to test the business skills of eighteen new
candidates. Tougher, more intense weekly dossiers are planned for the teams
this season. Each night will, of course, culminate with one candidate hearing
Mr. Trump's words, "You're Fired!" This site allows you to catch-up
on the latest episode news, read candidate bios, review current updates about
last season's candidates, and a lot more.
See What's Up In Space Today
http://spaceweather.com/ -
Even if you have only a casual interest in what's happening in outer space,
this website is an interesting one to bookmark. Each day the site provides
editorial and images of what's going on up above in the wild blue yonder ...
asteroid flybys, aurora storms, planet alignments, spacecraft sightings, meteor
storms, etc. You can even sign-up to have the creators of Spaceweather.com call
you when things are happening in the sky over your hometown. (There is a
monthly fee for this service.) Check out the site and then head out to your
backyard tonight to see all the action firsthand.
Getting Help With Homework
http://school.discovery.com/homeworkhelp/bjpinchbeck/ -
Now that the kids are back in school, they may be needing some assistance with
their homework. Look no further than BJ Pinchbeck's site. It has links to over
700 sites that can help kids with their homework. The links are divided by
subject for easy searching. There's also a set of fun study tool links that
will help make both you and your child wiser.
College Football 2004 Has Arrived!
http://ncaasports.com/football/mens -
College football season has finally arrived. A great place to keep updated on
your favorite Division 1-A, Division 1-AA, Division II, and Division III teams
is at the NCAA's official college football site. It includes up-to-the-minute
scores, the latest polls, regional rankings, records, game schedules, photo
galleries, bowl schedules, and statistics. It's got it all!
Short Tutorial - Create "Restore Point" On
Computer Before Downloading SP2
If you use Windows XP and
plan to install Microsoft Corp.'s free Windows XP Service Pack (SP2), it would
be wise to create a "restore point" on your computer BEFORE you
download SP2. Similar to backing up your system, creating a restore point lets
you roll back your computer to where it was prior to the download of SP2. (Just
in case something goes wrong during the SP download or software applications
don't work properly afterwards, it's better to be safe than sorry.) It's easy.
Here's how to do it:
- Click your cursor arrow on the "Start" menu.
- Go to "All Programs" on the pop-up list.
- Go to "Accessories" on the sub-menu.
- Go to the "System Tools" sub-menu.
- Select "System Restore" from the sub-menu by
clicking on it.
- The "Welcome to System Restore" window will
open. Click your cursor arrow on "Create a Restore Point." Then
click on the "Next >" button.
- When the "Create a Restore Point" dialog box
opens, give your restore point a name by typing it in the "Restore
point description" field. Click on the "Create" button.
- The "Restore Point Created" window will open
giving you the name of the restore point along with the date and time it
was created.
- Click on the "Close" button.
If you
actually needed to restore your system to its pre-SP2 download state, follow
these steps:
- Click your cursor arrow on the "Start" menu.
- Go to "All Programs" on the pop-up list.
- Go to "Accessories" on the sub-menu.
- Go to the "System Tools" sub-menu.
- Select "System Restore" from the sub-menu by
clicking on it.
- The "Welcome to System Restore" window will
open. Click your cursor arrow on "Restore my computer to an earlier
time." Then click on the "Next >" button.
- When the "Select a Restore Point" window
opens, select the pre-SP2 download date within the calendar frame you
chose as your restore point. Then, on the list, click on the name you
called your restore point. Click "Next >."
- Read the warnings on the "Confirm Restore Point
Selection" window, and if you are satisfied that you selected the
correct restore point, click the "Next >" button.
- The system will log you off, shutdown, and then do
"system restore." When it is completed, Windows will restart.
We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's
our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop. 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 E-Connections
(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.)
©2004 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.