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Surfer Beware |
Hello
SpringNet1 Internet Subscribers!
To see what's inside this issue, take a look at the index to the left and thanks for reading! - The SpringNet1 Internet Team
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Surfer Beware
- Prevent Your Computer From Being Turned Into A "Zombie"
According to
recent Internet security reports, attacks by hackers on websites are getting
more frequent and nasty. Many hackers looking to inflict serious harm to
websites do so by remotely taking control of unsuspecting home computers and
then instructing them to simultaneously send massive amounts of e-mail
messages to targeted sites. This technique of attacking sites is termed
"distributed denial of service" (DDOS). These controlled "zombie" computers
(usually home computers like yours) flood the targeted sites with messages
to the point of preventing legitimate customers from conducting transactions
at the victimized sites. Often times, these attacks can even entirely
disable the sites.
So how are hackers able to take control of unsuspecting home computers
across the globe and turn them into "zombies" to do their dirty work?
Hackers create viruses and embed them into e-mail attachments and
downloadable software files. When computer users open the corrupt
attachments or download these files from the Internet, their computers
become infected. Once the computers are successfully infected, they are
added to a network of zombie computers used to generate spam e-mail and
launch attacks against targeted websites. Usually the owners of these
infected computers are not even aware that their computers are a part of
this clandestine activity.
As a computer user, you can do your part to help curb this criminal
behavior. Be sure to install and utilize virus-scanning software, update
this software on a regular basis, and scan all incoming attachments before
opening them. Always resist the temptation of opening files sent as e-mail
attachments from someone you don’t know and only download software from
reputable sites. In addition, many viruses and worms also spread through the
sharing of files when using floppy disks, zip disks, and networks. Be sure
to scan these files for infections as well. Remember, the ultimate
responsibility of protecting your computer against worms and viruses lies
with you.
Springnet1 Survives Tornado
- EOS Business Continuity Center Assists Four Clients after Disaster
On the evening
of March 12, Springfield was struck by two F2 tornadoes and many areas of
the City incurred significant damage. Springnet1 was very fortunate with no
damage at either of its Springfield operations centers. At both network
operations centers, battery backup devices (UPS) and generators performed as
expected. The UPS's held power to the computer equipment while the natural
gas generators fired up. At one facility the generator only ran for a few
minutes before utility power was restored while the generator at the other
location ran for several hours. Springnet1 had several WDSL customers which
experienced issues downed or turned antennae. Springnet1 staff worked
quickly to bring everyone back online.
Springnet1's sister company, EOS Business Services, had its first true test
of the EOS Business Continuity Center. Within ninety minutes of the tornado,
an EOS Business Services client, Harold O'Shea Builders, declared a total
disaster. As planned with the EOS Business Continuity service, Harold O'Shea
Builders had the local phone company re-route phone calls to EOS's phone
system. Once the phone calls were sent to EOS's system, Harold OShea
Builders's customers, prospects, vendors and employees heard a voice mail
system that sounded exactly like the company's "destroyed" system; phone
calls were hitting the EOS system within a few hours of the disaster. O'Shea
employees reported to work at the EOS Business Continuity Center at 6:30AM
on March 13. O'Shea staff was assigned a desk and given instructions on
using the phone system. Within hours of the disaster, O'Shea was again
operating it business, handling existing clients and making proposals to
assist new customers.
Three other businesses declared disruptions and used the EOS Business
Continuity Center. Some were at the Center for a few hours and others stayed
a few days. Overall, the use of the Business Continuity Center was
successful.
Every business, regardless of size, needs to prepare and plan for a business
disruption. Statistically, most business interruptions are not natural
disasters; most business interruptions occur from very localized fire or
water damage or human error. Well defined, practiced plans will insure a
business can survive a disruption. EOS Business Services provides secure,
environmentally controlled data room space in combination with Business
Continuity Center services including desks, chairs, PC's and full telephone
system. EOS clients have an objective to be resilient companies with an
ability to operate through a disruption without customers even recognizing a
disruption occurred. Harold O'Shea Builders came very close to meeting that
objective even though their office was a total destruction following a
direct hit from the tornado.
For information on business continuity services including planning, please
contact Neal E. Miller at 800-261-6006 x6210.
Ask The Help Desk - When
Will Microsoft Stop Supporting Windows 98?
Question: I’ve
heard that Microsoft will soon stop supporting Windows 98. Is this true?
Answer: Yes. With the large majority of PCs now running Windows XP,
the software giant has announced that it will end its extended support for
all versions of the Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows
Millennium Edition operating systems (and their related components)
effective July 11, 2006. This means no more technical support, no more
incident support options, and no more security updates related to these
operating systems.
If you still plan to use Windows 98 or Windows Me operating systems,
existing web-based support documents will continue to be available at
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/1139 for Windows 98 and
http://support.microsoft.com/ph/6519 for Windows Me. However, please
note that it will soon be more imperative than ever that you utilize
virus-scanning software and update this software on a regular basis when
using Windows 98 or Windows Me.
Great Sites To Check Out This Month
Go Fly A
Kite This Month
http://nationalkitemonth.org -
Go fly a kite! We mean that in a nice way. April is National Kite Month
sponsored by the Kite Trade Association International and the American
Kitefliers Association. Their site includes lots of links to sites that'll
show you how to build your own kites. It also provides safety tips for new
people to the sport, event schedules for kite-related events, a place to
register your own kite event, and a detailed history of kite flying. Can you
name five people who changed the course of history through kite flying? This
site tells you.
Anyone Got The Correct Time?
http://timeanddate.com - How many more
days until my birthday? What time is it right now in Singapore? Is my
kitchen clock or my alarm clock correct? How many more days, hours, minutes,
and seconds until New Year's Day 2007? This website can answer all of these
important questions and more. You can also design your own "Personal World
Clock" to show the current times in cities of your choice around the world.
Time has never been so interesting!
Cassini Spacecraft Makes New Discoveries Of Saturn's System
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/operations/index.cfm - The world continues
to be intrigued by the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft mission. The Cassini
spacecraft is the first to explore the Saturn system of rings and moons from
orbit. In January 2005, the European Space Agency's Huygens Probe detached
from Cassini and was sent to Saturn's largest moon, Titan, providing
scientists with vital data. Cassini continues to make discoveries as it
orbits Saturn during its four-year mission. Recent photographs revealed what
scientists believe to be liquid water on another of Saturn's moons,
Enceladus. Head to this site for daily updates and amazing photography.
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's 2006 Tour Begins
http://faithhill.com - Tim McGraw and
Faith Hill's Soul2Soul Tour II 2006 is on pace to be the hottest concert
event of the year. Kicking off April 21st in Columbus, Ohio, many concerts
have taken only minutes to sell-out. It's no wonder. This married duo has
over thirty number one songs between them. For a listing of concert
locations and to listen to Faith sing songs as you surf, head to her site
and turn up your computer's volume.
NHL Season Heats Up In April
http://nhl.com - The action really heats up
this month as the NHL's regular season schedule winds down and the play-off
action begins. Check out the NHL's official site to get up-to-the-minute
scores as well as complete stats and game overviews, radio and video
highlights, links to your favorite NHL team's site, player interviews, and
more.
Short Tutorial - How
To Stop A Downloaded File While In Progress
Have you ever
started to download something from the Internet and then realized after the
download started that the file was a lot bigger than you anticipated and you
really didn't have time to wait around for it to completely download? Well,
with most modern browsers, there is a way to stop the process in the middle
of the download. You can then come back later to start and finish the
download when you have more time. Follow these directions to stop a file
from downloading before its completion.
Stopping a File Download When Using Internet Explorer 6.0 Browser and
Windows XP Home Edition:
With Internet Explorer 6.0, your only real option is to cancel the download
using the CANCEL button on the download window before it finishes. If you
want to restart the download, you will have to start again at the beginning.
Stopping a File Download When Using Firefox 1.0 Browser and Windows XP
Home Edition and Macintosh OS X:
To use the special download features of this browser, you need to open
the Downloads window.
- With Firefox open and before you begin downloading, click on the "Tools" menu and drop down to "Downloads." The Downloads window will appear giving you a list of recent downloads.
- Download a file in the usual manner from a site you trust. When the download begins, you will see a progress bar below the name of the file in the Downloads window. Beneath the progress bar is a "Pause" link. Clicking on that link will pause the download and change the "Pause" link to a "Resume" link.
- Resume the download by clicking on the "Resume" link.
- You will notice a "Cancel" link to the right of the file name. This will cancel the download and the "Cancel" link will become a "Retry" link and a "Remove" link. The "Retry" link will restart the download from the beginning. The "Remove" link will remove the file from the Downloads window's list completely.
To use the special download features of this browser, you need to open the Downloads window.
- With Netscape 8.1 open and before you begin downloading, click on the "Tools" menu and drop down to "Downloads." The Downloads window will appear giving you a list of recent downloads.
- Download a file in the usual manner from a site you trust. When the download begins, you will see a progress bar below the name of the file in the Downloads window. Beneath the progress bar is a "Pause" link. Clicking on that link will pause the download and change the "Pause" link to a "Resume" link.
- Resume the download by clicking on the "Resume" link.
- You will notice a "Cancel" link to the right of the file name. This will cancel the download and the "Cancel" link will become a "Retry" link and a "Remove" link. The "Retry" link will restart the download from the beginning. The "Remove" link will remove the file from the Downloads window's list completely.
To use the special download features of this browser, you need to open the Downloads window.
- With Safari 2.0 open and before you begin downloading, click on the "Tools" menu and drop down to "Downloads." The Downloads window will appear giving you a list of recent downloads.
- Download a file in the usual manner from a site you trust. When the download begins, you will see a blue progress bar below the name of the file in the Downloads window. Next to that progress bar is a white "x" in a gray circle. Clicking on that "x" will pause the download and change the "x" icon into an orange circle with a white curved arrow.
- Resume the download by clicking on the orange circle with the white arrow.
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,
Neal E. Miller
Springnet1, Inc.
Springnet1, Inc.
6900 Preston Dr.
Springfield, IL 62711
800-261-6006
217-241-6000
(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.)
©2006
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.