This July issue provides ideas for summer fun as well as warnings about some
potential threats. If you're planning to buy any new electronic gadgets,
don't miss the alert about products contaminated with viruses when they
leave the manufacturer. You'll also learn about pop-ups and the dangers they
can pose, as well as how to adjust the pop-up blocker settings in your
browser. Now for the fun part - check out the Great Sites section for
summertime travel inspiration, a delicious look at watermelons, and a
spectacular view of mysterious Mars.
Question: The pop-ups that appear when I visit websites can definitely be
annoying since they clutter up the screen. But can they pose a serious
threat to my computer?
Answer: A pop-up is a small Web browser window that automatically appears on
top of the website you're viewing. Most often, pop-ups display advertising
from legitimate businesses. They can, however, be tied to threats such as
phishing scams designed to trick you into revealing personal or financial
information. If pop-ups open even when you're not surfing the Web, it could
be a sign that your computer is infected with intrusive spyware or malware.
Not all pop-ups are annoying or potentially harmful. Some trusted websites
use pop-ups for specific tasks and you may need to view them in order to
complete the task. For example, a bill pay site or hotel reservation site
may generate a pop-up with a calendar inside to assist with scheduling.
Most leading browsers have pop-up blockers turned on by default, and search
engines such as Google and Yahoo include an additional pop-up blocker in
their toolbars. As a user, you have the ability to enable, disable, or
adjust pop-up blockers to fit your needs. Simply follow the steps in the
"Tech Tips and Tricksl" section below.
You've heard about computer viruses that invade your computer via e-mails or
pop-up ads. But now damaging viruses are showing up inside electronic
gadgets shipped straight from manufacturers. Consumers are reporting that
new products they've purchased, such as digital picture frames and GPS
navigation systems, contained viruses that spread to their computers via USB
cable. These viruses can steal passwords, open doors for hackers, and make
computers spew spam.
How does it happen? Industry experts aren't sure yet, since manufacturers
are keeping detailed information confidential. However, it appears that the
occurrences may be accidental, taking place in the final stages of
production after the electronics come off Chinese assembly lines. For
instance, if employees unwittingly use their own infected devices with a
computer at the plant and the same computer is used later to test
electronics, those newly made products could become contaminated.
You can protect against most factory-loaded viruses on electronics by
running an antivirus program on your computer and keeping it up to date.
This software checks for known viruses and suspicious behaviors that
indicate an attack by malicious code, whether from a download or a gadget
attached to your computer. For additional information on how to protect your computer, call your local Help Desk toll free at 1-888-793-7831.
Over the years, you've undoubtedly accumulated a long list of favorite
websites stored under the "Favorites" or "Bookmarks" feature of your
browser. As your life changes, however, you may find that some of these
sites are no longer of interest to you. It's easy to remove such sites from
your list and streamline your Internet searches.
To delete bookmarked favorites you no longer need or want, follow the steps below for your browser.
Deleting Bookmarked Favorites When Using Internet Explorer 7 Browser and Windows XP SP2 Home Edition (if menu bar is visible)
1. With Internet Explorer 7 open, click your cursor arrow on "Favorites" on
the menu bar.
2. Select "Organize Favorites..." from the drop-down menu. The Organize
Favorites window will appear.
3. Select the favorite site that you want to delete.
4. Click your cursor arrow on the "Delete" button. The Confirm File Delete
dialog box will appear asking if you are sure you want to send the link to
the Recycle bin.
5. Click "Yes." The site will be permanently deleted.
Deleting Bookmarked Favorites When Using Internet Explorer 7 Browser and Windows XP SP2 Home Edition (if menu bar is NOT visible)
1. With Internet Explorer 7 open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" located
on the right side of your screen.
2. Select "Toolbars" from the drop-down menu.
3. Select "Favorites." The Favorites Center will appear on the left side of
your screen.
4. Right click on the favorite site that you want to delete.
5. Click your cursor arrow on the "Delete" option. The Confirm File Delete
dialog box will appear asking if you are sure you want to send the link to
the Recycle bin.
6. Click "Yes." The site will be permanently deleted.
Deleting Bookmarked Favorites When Using Internet Explorer 7 Browser and Windows Vista Home Premium (if menu bar is visible)
1. With Internet Explorer 7 open, click your cursor arrow on "Favorites" on
the menu bar.
2. Select "Organize Favorites..." from the drop-down menu. The Organize
Favorites window will appear.
3. Select the favorite site that you want to delete.
4. Click your cursor arrow on the "Delete" button. The Confirm File Delete
dialog box will appear asking if you are sure you want to permanently delete
this file.
5. Click "Yes." The site will be permanently deleted.
Deleting Bookmarked Favorites When Using Internet Explorer 7 Browser and Windows Vista Home Premium (if menu bar is NOT visible)
1. With Internet Explorer 7 open, click your cursor arrow on the "Tools"
button located on the right side of your screen.
2. Select "Toolbars" from the drop-down menu.
3. Select "Favorites." The Favorites Center will appear on the left side of
your screen.
4. Right click on the favorite site that you want to delete.
5. Click your cursor arrow on the "Delete" option. The Confirm File Delete
dialog box will appear asking if you are sure you want to permanently delete
this file.
6. Click "Yes." The site will be permanently deleted.
Deleting Bookmarked Favorites When Using Firefox 2.0 Browser and Windows XP SP2 Home Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium, and Macintosh OS X 10.4
1. With Firefox open, click your cursor arrow on "Bookmarks" located on the
menu bar.
2. Select "Organize Bookmarks..." from the drop-down menu. The Bookmarks
Manager window will appear.
3. Select the bookmarked site you want to delete by clicking on it.
4. Click your cursor arrow on the "Delete" button/icon located at the top
right of the window. The site will be permanently deleted.
Deleting Bookmarked Favorites When Using Safari 3.1 Browser and Macintosh OS X 10.4, Windows XP SP2 Home Edition, or Windows Vista Home Premium
1. With Safari open, click your cursor arrow on "Bookmarks" on the menu bar.
2. Select "Show All Bookmarks" from the drop-down menu.
3. Select the bookmarked site you want to delete.
4. Click your cursor arrow on "Edit" on the menu bar.
5. Select the "Delete" option. The site will be permanently deleted.
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We do not have financial interest in, or endorse, any of the sites, or products offered by the sites, listed in this customer newsletter. No opinions expressed on these sites should be considered to be the opinion of diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company or it's employees. This is a free service of diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company to enhance your Internet surfing experience. It is our policy to not share your e-mail address with any third party for any reason.
©2008 Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc.
In this edition:
Your Local Help Desk
Tech Tips and Tricks
Sites of the Month
E-mail Virus
Free Internet Classes
Free Internet Classes
Browsing Only
Melrose High School
Media Center (library)
July 21st, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
E-mail Only
Melrose High School
Media Center (library)
July 23rd, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Call to register:
256-7471
764-7600
597-3333
548-3200
Sites of the Month
The Roads Best Traveled
This summer consider making a car trip that's more about the road itself rather than the final destination. Selected roads throughout the U.S. have been designated America's Byways based on natural, historic, or cultural qualities. No two are the same, yet all reflect something
uniquely American. The National Scenic Byways Program website provides maps and directions, ideas on stops to make, photos, visitor information, and links to related travel sites.
Wonderful World of Watermelon
Nothing goes over better at a picnic than a big, juicy slice of watermelon. Not only is watermelon delicious, it's also versatile, nutritious, and relatively inexpensive. The National Watermelon Promotion Board website offers great recipes, tips on decorations, games and activities for kids, and suggestions on how to make watermelon part of a healthy diet.
Fight Bac!
Keeping bacteria from spoiling your next picnic or cookout is easier than you might think. The mission of the Partnership for Food Safety Education is to educate the public about safe food handling, and they recommend following four simple steps: clean, separate, cook, and
chill. Their website offers details on these bacteria prevention methods, as well as facts on the causes, symptoms, and challenges of foodborne illness.
Phoenix Mars Mission
NASA's Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars in late May and is busy collecting data to help determine if Mars could support life, what the history of water is at the landing site, and how the Martian climate is affected by polar dynamics. Follow the progress of the fascinating Phoenix Mars Mission at this site. Read the latest news, view photos and videos of the spacecraft and its surroundings on Mars, and download materials to learn more about the science, technology, and
engineering involved in space exploration.
Convenient Conversion
Sometimes communication in the digital world requires speaking a different language. In computing terms, this often means converting files to new formats. Zamzar is a free, online file conversion service that allows you to change image, document, music, video, and other
types of files into various formats. The service involves four simple steps, and converted files are sent directly to your e-mail account. This site comes in handy, for example, when you receive an e-mail attachment that you can't open with your computer's software.