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Protect
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Hi
Webster-Calhoun Internet Subscribers!
We think you'll find the
information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for
enhancing your Internet experience. If, however, you'd prefer not to
receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click HERE.
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Protect
Your PC - How To Get Free Microsoft
Security Updates For Your Computer
Protecting your computer from
viruses, worms, and other hacker attacks is an unfortunate part of life on the
Internet. Because Microsoft Corp. products have proven vulnerable to such
threats, the company helps its customers fight back with its security updates
system.
A list of Microsoft security updates, available at http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins
, is updated, when needed, on the second Tuesday of each month. If you use
Microsoft products (such as Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, and MSN
Messenger, among others), we strongly recommend you visit this web page monthly
to download the critical software fixes (called "patches") listed there. 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 ( http://update.microsoft.com ) 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 a list of updates that you can choose to
install.
It's important to remember that Microsoft will NEVER e-mail you
software updates or patches 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 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.
Webster-Calhoun
Announcements - What's In The Bill & A New
Way To Protect Your PC
Billing
Insert
This month's bill insert
gives you an update on the construction this fall as well as adding a potential
lifesaving feature on your cell phone. Although most students are back in
school, WCCTA employees have been working hard educating themselves on more
products, services and technology! Check out the insert with your bill or see it
online at www.wccta.com!
A New Way To Protect Your PC
WCCTA has been
talking about computer maintenance for a while now. Protecting yourself against
things like viruses, spyware and adware. So how do you protect yourself? The
options are numerous, confusing and time-consuming. We're excited to offer you the easiest way to protect
your PC and your privacy!!
SecureIT Plus provides all the
protection you need from viruses, spyware and adware. After the software is
loaded, we take care of the rest. We'll monitor your PC for threats and
eliminate the problems. Unlike other anti-virus software, you don't have to
check for updates. The software continually updates itself so you're always
armed with the most recent protection.
It's the simplest, yet most
effective, protection available to you. Available for Windows only, it includes
managed virus protection; spyware detection, removal and pop-up blocker; system
and disk maintenance; Microsoft patch management; and monthly e-mail reporting
for only $7.95 per month. And we're excited to give it to you with a risk-free
30 day trial! Contact Webster-Calhoun today at 352-3151 or e-mail webcal@wccta.net to get set up with SecureIT
Internet Protection!
Ask
The Help Desk - Is There A Shortcut
When Using Online Drop-Down Boxes?
Question: Sometimes when I'm using a
drop-down box while making a purchase online, it takes forever to scroll down to
the item I'm looking for. Is there a better way?
Answer: Yes, there is a better way.
We'll illustrate how with an example.
Let's say you're filling out an
online shopping cart form that asks you to select the item you intend to
purchase from a drop-down box. The site's drop-down box includes dozens of
products (listed alphabetically) for you to choose from. If you are purchasing
an apron, you're all set since your product starts with the letter "a" and will
be listed towards the top. But what if you are buying an umbrella? You'd have to
scroll down through lots of products to get to "umbrellas."
Here's a
quicker way. When you get to a drop-down box, type in the first letter of the
item you're hunting for. You'll find that items beginning with that letter start
popping up in the box. So, for the example above, simply type in the letter "u"
and products starting with "u" (there can't be many) will come up. No more
scrolling!
Great
Sites To Check Out This Month
Photos Of Cats
With Stuff On Them
http://stuffonmycat.com - It's
exactly what it sounds like — lots of pictures of cats with stuff on them ...
styrofoam packing peanuts, shower caps, post-it notes, empty pizza boxes, celery
sticks, headphones, jig saw puzzle pieces, loose change, etc. There are some
pretty funny pictures. Go check them out!
Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair
http://Appliance411.com - This
site offers free repair help for do-it-yourselfers when it comes to fixing
broken washing machines, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, humidifiers,
dishwashers, stoves, trash compactors, water filters, refrigerators, freezers,
air conditioners, and more. Looking for an owner's manual for your make and
model? Appliance411.com can help. Looking for the model number on your appliance
but can't locate it? You've come to the right place!
See Our Nation's Fall Foliage By Rail
http://amtrak.com -
Autumn is a great time of the year to travel the states to see the many colors
of nature. Why not leave the driving to someone else this fall and travel by
train? AMTRAK operates the U.S.'s national passenger rail service and offers a
variety of scenic tours throughout our beautiful country. AMTRAK's website
provides information on schedules, fares and reservations, station locations,
and on their "Small Groups Save Big" travel savings program.
Learning Science Can Be Fun
http://ars.usda.gov/is/kids -
This site is an interesting learning resource targeted toward kids ages 8-13.
(Adults can learn a lot here too!) The website is sponsored by the United States
Department of Agriculture and was developed by the Agricultural Research Service
information staff in Beltsville, Maryland. Topics reviewed include "Tastes Like
Chicken" (edible bugs), "Vinegar: More Than Just A Salad Dressing," "Powerful
Plants Meet Tough Tanks," and "What's Good About Sewer
Bacteria."
The World's Largest
Balloonfest
http://balloonfiesta.com - The
end of this month marks the beginning of the largest hot air balloon festival in
the world. Albuquerque, New Mexico, hosts this annual event which this year runs
from September 30th through October 9th. Over 700 balloonists participate in
simultaneous liftoffs and a variety of flying accuracy competitions. Balloons
with special shapes (i.e. piggy bank, stagecoach, cow) are also a part of the
event agenda. Check out the site for a huge picture gallery and more event
details.
Short
Tutorial - Opening And Saving
Received vCard Information
Last month we provided tutorials on
how to create and send vCards via e-mail. Remember, vCards are digital business
cards that can be attached to outgoing e-mail messages. The vCards usually
contain text-based information (such as address, phone, and fax numbers) and
appear as attachments that have a ".vcf" file extension name.
The
tutorials below show you how to open and then save information contained within
received vCards to then be placed into your address book.
Opening/Saving a vCard in Outlook Express When Using
Windows XP:
- When receiving a vCard attachment from a friend or a business associate, first save the vCard attachment to your desktop.
- Open your address book by clicking your cursor arrow on its icon in the Outlook Express tool bar or by going to the Outlook Express "Tools" menu and clicking on "Address Book" from the drop-down menu.
- When the Address Book Window opens, click on the "File" menu and drop down to "Import." Click on "Business Card (vCard)" from the resulting submenu.
- When the "Import Business Card (vCard)" window opens, navigate to the saved vCard on your desktop and click on it to select it.
- Click on the "Open" button.
- The vCard properties window will open. Click "Okay" to save and close. The vCard information will now be saved onto your Outlook Express address book.
Opening/Saving a vCard in Entourage When Using Macintosh OS X:
- Double click your cursor arrow on the vCard attachment.
- The vCard will open in its own window.
- Click on the "Save" button on the vCard's button bar. The vCard information will be saved to your Entourage address book.
Opening/Saving a
vCard in Mail.app When Using Macintosh OS X:
Double click
your cursor arrow on the vCard that you were sent. Your address book will open
automatically and display the information that was in the vCard.
Opening/Saving a vCard When Using
Mozilla-based E-mail Programs:
While the Mozilla based e-mail
software programs (i.e. Netscape 7.2 and Thunderbird 1.0) can send vCard
attachments, they don't allow you to import the contact information directly
into your address book. However, the information shows up in the preview window
so you can simply copy and paste the information into a new address book entry.
We
hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you
posted on the happenings at our shop. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive
these bulletins on a monthly basis, click HERE.
Thanks for your business!
Best regards,
WCCTA.net
A product
of Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association
1106 Beek
Street, PO Box 475
Gowrie, IA 50543-0475
Phone: 515-352-3151
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hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors
or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence,
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©2005 Cornerstone
Publishing Group Inc.
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