Dave "Bytes"

Please remember to use your thinker, before you tinker!

November 16, 2006

A Periodic Newsletter for the Members of the Sarasota PC User Group and the World!!

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Here's A Windows Tip

Associate files with multiple programs
Here's a quick way to associate file types with multiple programs:

1. Click the Start menu and open My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options. Click the File Types tab and scroll through the Registered file types list to select the file extension that you want to open. (For example, you might click GIF Image.) Then click the Advanced button.
3. Click New in the dialog box and type a description of how you will open the file in the Action edit box. For example, you could type Open in Explorer.
4. Click Browse, navigate to Internet Explorer on your hard drive and click the Explorer icon to select it, click Open, and then click OK. You should now see Open in Explorer listed under Actions. Click Close.
5. Right-click any GIF file's icon and you'll have Open in Explorer as an option. Click Open in Explorer to open the file in Explorer instead of its default program.

Spyware Infested e-Greeting Cards

Be very careful about opening emailed greeting cards, as many are now known to contain dangerous spyware. Originally developed as a means for spouses and lovers to spy on each other, e-greeting card spyware was designed to monitor the internet activity of the recipient, thereby sending the sender an emailed record of email activity, passwords used, etc…

Although this type of “monitoring” software is legal to buy and is intended for non-criminal use, it provides a new tool for con artists and cyber-criminals to use.

Here’s how these spyware ridden e-greeting cards work: The recipient gets an innocent looking romantic email message with an attached or linked greeting card. The email appears to legitimate, and says something like “I love you”, “I was just thinking about you”, etc… When the card is opened or the link clicked on, dangerous spyware is silently and instantly installed on the computer as the recipient reads the card.

Once installed, the spyware begins monitoring immediately. The software runs silently in the background, and is undetected by the user or her antivirus software. It records all the emails that are viewed, as well as all passwords that are entered. It also records all chat and instant messaging sessions, and logs every single website that is visited. All this information is sent directly to the person who sent the email greeting card, be it a lover or a criminal.

If you get an e-greeting card, think about it carefully before opening it because there’s a good chance that it’s spyware in disguise. Even if the card appears to come from a legitimate e-card company such as American Greetings, Blue Mountain, Yahoo Greetings, etc…, this is no guarantee that the email isn’t spoofed. Spammers and internet con artists have mastered the art of sending emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, and spyware e-cards can be easily disguised with fake “from” addresses as well.

It’s a good idea to check the header information on any email you want to open, but may be suspicious. An email header shows the history of the email as it has traveled through the internet, and will reveal a spoofed “from” address. As all email clients are different, click on the “help” menu and search for “internet header” to see how to perform this task with your particular software.

If you are running anti-spyware software that is current with its updates and are certain that your operating system and browser are up to date with the latest security patches, your chances of getting infected by a spyware-tainted e greeting card are reduced significantly. Even having the best protection available is no guarantee that you will be able to avoid a spyware infection, though. New variations of spyware come out every day, and your protection is only as good as your latest update.

As with all potentially suspicious emails, your best defense is the “delete” key. If you don’t click on hyperlinks or open email attachments within any e-mail messages that might be questionable, you cannot get a dangerous spyware infection. Because we are only human however, and the risk of spyware is so great, its advisable to include a good antispyware product in your computer security arsenal.

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Dave's Cool Downloads

AOL Active Security Monitor is a quick and easy way to know if you're truly protected from computer viruses, spyware, identify theft, network intrusions, and other serious security threats. AOL Active Security Monitor is a free diagnostic tool that continuously monitors your computer and gives you a consolidated view of your PC and home-network security. No AOL membership is required, and there are no limitations. A security score (similar to a credit score) is determined by evaluating the status of the major components required to keep your PC and home network safe, including: Antivirus software,
Antispyware software, Firewall, Wireless Security, Operating System, and Browser. For each vulnerability discovered, AOL Active Security Monitor provides you with quick fixes and recommendations to keep you safe.

How to Switch to Plain Text in Outlook & Outlook Express

You can easily "force" all incoming email to be displayed in text form.
To read messages in plain text in Microsoft Outlook 2003:
Open Outlook 2003 and click Tools | Options
Select Preferences | Email Options
Select "Read all standard mail in plain text"
Click OK to close the dialog box. Click OK again to close the menu.
To configure Outlook Express to send and receive email in plain text only:
In Outlook Express, click Tools | Options
Select the Read tab and then select 'Read all messages in plain text'
Click the Send tab. Under 'Mail Sending Format' select "Plain text"
Click "Apply" then click "OK" to exit the menu.

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Got something "computer related" to sell? Looking for that rare peripheral? If it's computer related you can submit a short classified ad for exposure in Dave "Bytes". Be sure to include your name and e-mail address in the ad. You can also include a picture of the item. Now some would suggest that there be a charge for this feature but alas, since my bookkeeping skills leave much to be desired I've determined that this will be a free service to all SPCUG members in good standing. "Bytes" is currently sent to almost 1500 homes in the area. Ad requests will be included as soon as possible. I assume absolutely no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of supplied info. All transactions are between consulting adults which leaves me entirely off the hook.

Please let me know by clicking HERE when your merchandise is sold so that I can remove it from the listing.

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New Series

Top 10 Dumb Things Users Do That Can Mess Up Their Computers

We all do dumb things now and then, and computer users are no exception. Inadvertently pressing the wrong key combination or innocently clicking OK in the wrong dialog box can change important settings that alter a computer’s behavior or even crash the system.
Nervous newbies are often fearful that one wrong move might break the computer forever. Luckily, short of taking a sledge hammer to the box, the consequences aren’t usually quite that dire. Even so, users often do create problems for their computers and for your network. In this series we'll examine a description of common missteps (in no particular order) you can use to help steer clear of preventable problems.

Surf the Internet without a firewall
Many home users plug their computers right into their spiffy new cable or DSL modems and hop onto the Internet without realizing that they’re putting themselves at risk from viruses and attackers. Every Internet-connected computer should be protected by a firewall; this can be a firewall built into the broadband modem or router, a separate firewall appliance that sits between the modem/router and the computer, a server at the network’s edge running firewall software, or personal
firewall software installed on the computer (such as the Windows Firewall built into Windows XP or better yet, a third-party firewall program like Kerio or ZoneAlarm).
One advantage of personal firewalls on laptop computers is that they’re still with you when you take the computer on the road and plug into a
hotel’s DSL or cable port or connect to a wireless hotspot. Just having a firewall isn’t enough, though. You must also be sure it’s turned on and configured properly to protect you.

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Pause For Thought

	What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? -Erma Bombeck

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Last Updated
04/13/2007 06:51 AM