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Surfer Beware |
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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.
Moms of all ages will love - High Speed
Internet from PSC
Whether she's planning a
family vacation or e-mailing her grandchildren, a mom loves staying connected to
the world.
This Mother's Day, give her the convenience of High-Speed Internet from PSC, with speeds up to 30 times faster than a typical dialup-connection. Order now and get the first month FREE! Call PSC at 1-800-511-4899 or visit us at www.psci.net/highspeedsearch.
Offer ends 5/13/06.
Help prevent identity theft from phishing
scams -
What is a phishing scam?
What is a phishing scam? How can I tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent? What are the dos and don'ts of dealing with suspicious e-mail.
The following e-mail is a fake. This is a current example of a “phishing” e-mail making the rounds to PSC customers.
Dear customer,
We regret to inform you
that your Regions Online Bank account is about to expire. In order to keep it
active, and to resolve this problem please click on the following
link:
https://secure.regionsnet.com/EBanking/logon/user?a=defaultAffiliate
If your
problem could not be resolved, your account will be terminated. For the User
Agreement, section 9 we may issue a warrning, temporarly suspend, indefinitely
suspend or terminate your membership and refuse to provide our services to you
if we believe that your auctions may cause financial loss or legal liability for
you, our users or us. We may also take these actions if we are unable to verify
or authenticate any information you provide to us.
Regards,
Regions
Bank Service Department.
Shown below are links to several articles on the Microsoft website, explaining the who, what, when & where of “phishing”. It is important that anyone using e-mail is aware of this serious threat to your privacy.
What is a phishing scam?
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/email/phishing.mspx
How can I tell if an e-mail message is fraudulent? http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/email/phishingemail.mspx
The dos and don'ts of dealing with suspicious e-mail.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/email/phishingdosdonts.mspx
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 is 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.
Stopping a File Download When Using Netscape 8.1
Browser and Windows XP Home Edition:
To use the special download
features of this browser, you need to open the Downloads window.
Stopping a File Download When Using Safari 2.0 Browser
and Mac OS X:
To use the special download features of this
browser, you need to open the Downloads window.
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,
PSC
One Community
On-line
PSC
11877 E State Road 62
PO Box 126
St Meinrad, IN 47577
(800) 511-4899
©2006
Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.
Trademarks: All brand names and
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trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.