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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
- Protect Yourself From Internet Security Threats
Last month,
Microsoft Corp. issued a software fix (called a "patch") to address a
critical security hole in its Internet Explorer Web browser - a flaw
cybercrooks had already discovered and begun to exploit. The flaw allows
intruders to seize control of the PCs of anyone visiting their malicious
websites, potentially giving them the ability to install programs; view,
change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
If you're one of the many who use Internet Explorer, take note of this
recent cybercrook scheme. To lure unsuspecting victims to these websites,
spam e-mails are sent out asking you to click on links to news stories about
the U.S. dollar vs. other currencies. After clicking on the link, your PC
freezes up for approximately 30 seconds while the website installs a
software program that captures online bank account log-ins and sends them
back to cybercrooks.
To protect your computer from this and other serious threats, Microsoft
Corp. offers a free security updates system that includes the posting of any
new security bulletin updates on the second Tuesday of each month. A list of
Microsoft security updates is available at
www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins. If you use Microsoft products
(such as Internet Explorer, Windows, Office, and MSN Messenger), we strongly
recommend you visit this web page monthly to download the critical software
fixes listed there. An even better idea is to have a "Microsoft Security
Updates Alert" automatically sent to you each month by Microsoft Corp.
Simply go to
www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins/alerts.mspx. At this web page, you
can sign up to receive e-mail, instant messaging, or RSS alerts each time a
major security update is released.
The Microsoft Windows Update website,
www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate, provides another easy way to
quickly install software fixes for Microsoft products. When you visit this
web page, your PC is automatically scanned for missing critical software
updates, providing you with a list of updates that you can choose to
install.
It is worth repeating that Microsoft will NEVER e-mail you software updates
as e-mail attachments. Malicious hackers have been known to send spoof
e-mail messages that appear to come from Microsoft, urging you to download
the accompanying attachment to prevent infection by a virus or worm. These
attachments are actually worms or viruses themselves. If you are not
currently set up to automatically receive software updates from Microsoft,
ALWAYS be sure to go to Microsoft web pages to download Microsoft-related
patches and service packs rather than doing so via links e-mailed to you.
Of course, it is also vitally important to use and regularly update your
computer's anti-virus software. Always scan file attachments of all incoming
e-mail messages, even messages from people you trust. Many viruses and worms
are spread over networks, through attachments, and by sharing storage media
such as diskettes, Zip disks, and CDs. You have the ultimate responsibility
for protecting your computer against these threats.
Refer Customers
- Get Internet Referral Bonus
Springnet1 pays customers who refer new customers. When you refer a customer to Springnet1's services, make certain you have the new customer mention your name. You will receive a credit on your Springnet1 account equal to the amount of the first month of internet service purchased by the new customer. The system is automatic provided the new customer tells us of your referral. Over the years we have had customers get many months of "FREE" internet by referring new customers. You can do the same. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Ask The Help Desk - What
is an RSS Feed?
Question: I've
heard about people getting Web content via RSS feeds? What is an RSS feed?
Answer: RSS, which stands for "really simple syndication" or "RDF
site summary," is an Internet-based information delivery system to which you
can subscribe to have news and other information delivered to your computer,
much like a newspaper delivered to your front doorstep.
RSS allows news website developers to distribute their news and information
to customers who gather it in software known as "RSS readers." This
information usually includes the news website's headlines and article
summaries that you click on for more information.
If a website offers RSS subscriptions, it's usually indicated with some
descriptive copy and an orange button labeled "XML" or a blue button labeled
"RSS." Just click this button, then copy and paste the appropriate web
address URL into your reader to visit the site and retrieve headlines and
article summaries you have requested.
Great Sites To Check Out This Month
Mission:
Impossible: III Explodes Onto Screens
http://missionimpossible.com -
Super-agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) returns this month for the third
installment of the billion-dollar Mission: Impossible franchise. This
time around, director J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias) brings his unique
blend of action and drama to the mix. Expect multiple international shoot
locations, more stunts and action sequences, plus a storyline that includes
a deeper look into the personal side of Ethan Hunt. If your mission is to
find out more, head to this site to view video clips, get behind-the-scenes
production notes, and meet the cast. You can even sign up to become an IMF
agent and join the Mission: Impossible: III Scavenger Hunt. Rated
PG13.
New Coaster Is Tops In Air-Time
http://holidayworld.com - The world's
top wooden coaster in air-time, the Voyage, opens this month at Holiday
World in Santa Claus, Indiana. Take the plunge and you'll experience a
feeling of weightlessness for a total of 24.2 seconds. This exhilarating
ride also features three drops of over 100 feet, five underground tunnels,
90-degree banking, and a top speed of 67.4 miles an hour. This site allows
you to get a feel for the ups and downs with a virtual ride on the Voyage.
(You can even throw your arms up in the air and scream if you want.) Holiday
World, which is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, just completed
a $13.5 million expansion including several new attractions and a new
restaurant.
Prepare For The Pump
http://fuelcostcalculator.com -
Planning on hitting the road for a family vacation this summer? With gas
prices rising, the cost of fuel may take a bigger bite out of your travel
budget. Know what to expect before you leave home by taking a quick trip to
this handy site. Simply enter your start city, destination, and the make,
model, and year of your vehicle. The Fuel Cost Calculator instantly
estimates your round-trip fuel cost based on the current average gas price
in your region of the country.
Look Ma, No Hands!
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/mindread/mindread.html - No kidding — you
can make a symbol appear on your computer screen without touching a single
key. The National Institute of Environmental Sciences includes this
mysterious game, called the Flash Mind Reader, on their site. Simply pick
any two-digit number, add the two numbers together, and then subtract the
total from your original two-digit number. Find the corresponding symbol on
the chart provided and stare at it awhile. Like magic, this symbol will
appear on the page's crystal ball. You have to see it to believe it.
Country Music Awards In Spotlight
http://acmcountry.com/content/index.php - The 41st Academy of Country
Music Awards takes place at the MGM Grand (Las Vegas) on May 23 and will be
broadcast live on CBS Television at 8:00 ET/PT. If you're a country fan,
this site will be music to your ears. Get awards show details, check out
audio and photos from the spotlight artist, view backstage snapshots, and
read the latest from Country Weekly magazine – all while listening to
songs from a country superstar. Sign up to be an associate member of the ACM
for free and enjoy access to special publications and sweepstakes.
Short Tutorial - How
To Speed Up Slow E-Mail
Granted, e-mail is much faster than snail mail. But even e-mail software can slow down if you don't keep up with maintenance on your database. Have you noticed any of these symptoms?
- Slow launching of your e-mail program
- Slow opening of links contained in e-mail messages
- E-mail messages not showing up properly or not showing up at all
Cleaning Up and Compacting Outlook Express 6.0 When Using Windows XP Home Edition
- With Outlook Express open, click your cursor arrow on the "Tools" menu and select "Options."
- When the Options window appears, click the "Maintenance" tab.
- About half way down the window you will see the "Clean Up Now" button. Click on it and the "Local File Clean Up" window will appear.
- Click on the "Compact" button.
- Click "Close" and then "OK."
- Quit Outlook Express and then reopen Outlook Express.
- While opening Entourage, hold down the "Option" key on your keyboard.
- Select "Compact Database" by clicking on the radio button.
- Click "Continue."
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.