Before we get into Viruses, Spyware and the like, click
the link below and get a Safer Browser --  Firefox!

(Sounds like the 6 Million Dollar Man - but it's TRUE!)
 

Virus Protection Software

No computer should be without virus protection and
if you have highspeed (broadband) internet service, you
should also be running a firewall. Most of today's
anti virus and firewall products are designed to run on
the latest operating systems.  However, not everyone
has the latest and greatest system.  Ah, but not to worry,
a German Company called Grisoft has the solution for you.
They have products that will run on Windows 2000 through Vista.
Check them out at these links:

Spyware - What is it and How to Remove it

How can I remove Spyware?

Usually, Spyware can be removed from your computer by installing, updating and running
software specifically designed for the job.  However, as far as I know, there is no
one single program that can remove all of the Spyware that may be on your computer.
I use several programs.  Each finds different types and parts of Spyware. Sometimes,
especially with Malware, a manual removal is required.

Use the Spyware Removal Tools found at:
(Spybot & Ad-Aware are free downloads - no strings attached)

For the best results of removing all of the Spyware
on your computer, download, install, update and then
run each of these tools in Safe Mode.  If you have multiple
users set up on your computer, run the programs on each
users account; starting with the Administrator account.
Be sure to read the tutorials on how to use these tools properly.
Please note that Microsoft Windows Defender and AVG Anti-Spyware
will not install or work on Windows 95, 98, NT or ME.
 

 Email Hoaxes and Chain Letters

You receive an email from someone you know, the email has been
forwarded several times, the email contains a warning about some
horrible new virus OR a warning about a dangerous product OR
a description of a missing child OR a story about a company which
prevents employees from taking a bathroom break OR how to get
$200 from Microsoft OR startling photos of the shuttle disaster,
the sender tells you to forward the email to everyone in your
address book; more than likely, the email is a hoax or a chain letter.

Well 99.9% of these emails are not true, they are called eRumors
or urban legends; however, most people believe the information
to be correct and pass it on to their friends.  The bad thing about
promoting an eRumor is that it unnecessarily ties up email servers,
clutters up someone's inbox, and distributes yours and other peoples
email address to everyone in creation, potentially making the email
address available to a spammer.  Also, the virus hoax emails may
have you delete a perfectly legitimate file from your computer.  So,
don't believe everything you read, check it out first before passing
it on.
 

How can I find out if the email is true or a hoax?

1. If the email is about a virus warning, click on the Symantec link
above and then scroll down to "reference area" and click on
the "hoaxes" link.  There you will find information about all
sorts virus hoaxes and some of the other email hoaxes.

3.  Go to this site: 
 

And finally, if you want to forward an email to a bunch of people,
please use the BCC feature to address your email instead of TO or CC.
BCC stands for "Blind Carbon Copy".  That means that the recipients
of your email will not see any addresses other than yours.  This makes
a nice clean email with only your information and you don't have to scroll
down a page or more to get to the message.  Also, your address book
remains private.

Well, one more thing, while we are on the subject of email.  By default,
most email programs, have the "Quote the original message on reply"
turned on.  What it means is that if you reply to someone who sent
you a message they will receive your new message and theirs as well.
That's fine if you are dealing with a sales rep. or an on-line technician
who deals with hundreds of emails everyday.  It easier to keep track of
on going correspondence. However, with your friends or someone like
me who may send you one message, it's not necessary.  If you want to
reply, then when the create mail window opens, erase the original message,
leave the subject alone, and write your reply.  Again, it makes for a
cleaner message.

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