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Data Backup & Configuration Imaging
Spam, Viruses & Spyware:
SPAM is unwanted, unsolicited email. It is a nuisance that has multiplied on the internet like fleas on a sick dog. It effects anyone who receives email, using IBM compatibles, Macs, or any other platform with email functionality.
Hopefully, eventually, legislators will be able to do something to smother Spam senders out of existence. In the meantime, we have to deal with it. Here are several methods you may be able to use, alone or in combination, to limit the nuisance factor and time wasted by Spam.
1. Utilize an Internet Service Provider (ISP) which offers spam filtering as it enters their email server.
2. Visually filter spam by previewing incoming emails in a web browser based list format (try www.mail2web.com, or check with your ISP). This should allow you to view abbreviated lists of emails, listing only the sender name, subject line, etc., and should allow you to selectively delete entire groups of spam emails at a time. Once you have filtered out unwanted emails using this method, then run your email client software to download the emails you want to view in full.
3. Employ spam filtering software on your computer. Most email client software (i.e. Eudora), also have add-on capability to filter spam. Some Internet Security software products (i.e. Norton Internet Security) have spam filtering capabilities.
4. Change email addresses whenever spam reaches levels that make it unbearable.
Email filtering software works to a degree, however it will make some mistakes. If set to a highly restrictive level, it will occasionally filter out emails that you actually want. If set too loosely, it will let in some spam. Most effective is a combination of steps 1 - 3 above. Your ISP will usually have a fairly loose filter, which will eliminate a lot of the spam and will be unlikely to cut out any email which you actually want. Then you can visually filter out the remaining spam. The spam filtering software on your computer will therefore only rarely encounter spam as you run your email client software.
Contact us at anytime for help with Spam problems or questions.
VIRUSES are a growing plague which have the potential to cause a serious drag on our economy. They are changing from the pastime of malicious egomaniacs to a tool of economic sabotage and attrition. Viruses are becoming more sophisticated and damaging in nature. We strongly recommend using all four steps below:
1. Utilize an Internet Service Provider (ISP) which pre-scans all incoming email for known viruses.
2. Employ active antivirus scanning software on your computer, and keep its virus definitions files up to date.
3. If possible, DO NOT utilize Microsoft email client software (Outlook and Outlook Express) and avoid Microsoft's web browser software (Internet Explorer) unless absolutely necessary. Many viruses exploit security flaws within these Microsoft programs to enter your system and to spread themselves to others.
4. Backup your data, and image your configuration. Click on the link (Data Backup & Configuration Imaging) for details. Unfortunately, even if you employ steps 1 - 3 above, it is still possible to be infected by a newly released virus that has not been defined by antivirus software vendors. With good backups, and image configuration, recovery from serious virus damage is much easier, faster, and less costly.
Suggested alternative email client software: Qualcomm Eudora
Contact us anytime with questions about protecting your computer from virus infection, or for help with recovery from suspected virus infections.
SPYWARE (+ adware and malware) is another nuisance which has become a serious problem for computer users. Entering your system as you use your web browser software, these programs will pop up unwanted ads (adware), spy on and record your internet activities (spyware), and replicate and hide themselves and gradually impair your system, possibly doing serious damage (malware). To protect yourself, we recommend using the steps below:
1. DO NOT utilize Microsoft's Internet Explorer web browser, unless absolutely unavoidable. Security flaws within this software basically opened the door for the creation of spyware.
2. Employ active Anti-Adware and Anti-Spyware software programs, and keep them updated.
3. Employ a generalized Internet Security program.
Suggested alternative web browser software: Mozilla Firefox.
We hope you have found this information helpful. We stand ready to answer your questions, address your issues, and help you recover from problems.