Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, November 1, 2009
Don’t forget to change your clocks today. “Spring springs ahead and Fall falls back.”
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Phishing
Tips & Tricks: Search a Website
This Week's Topic: Tech Support Tips
Question: Restore Volume Icon
Websites of Interest: Send a Care Package to a Soldier; Child Proofing Tips; BBC World Service; Car Rentals; Is This a Scam
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Special Feature: Phishing
Phishing is the attempt to trick you into giving confidential information about yourself, like your Social Security number and passwords.
The following article is from scambusters.org
it seems that identity thieves are inventing new tricks almost every week to fool you into giving away that vital information.
Over the past couple of years, the most common technique for this type of ID theft has been to send you a message – by phone, by text message, or by email -- suggesting there's a problem with your bank account.
They ask you to phone a particular number or visit a certain website where you are supposed to disclose your account details.
A new, sneaky variation of this is to spoof the website of major online retailers, like Amazon, who do legitimately hold your credit card number and other financial details.
You're fooled into visiting these phony websites, which collect your sign-on details for these retailers. The crooks then sign on to your real account and pick up your bank and card details there.
Avoid these identity theft tricks by always keying web addresses into your browser rather than clicking links and by checking in the address bar that the legitimate address is shown.
With phone contact, never respond directly to messages that appear to come from your bank. Get the correct bank number from your statement or the phone book and contact them directly.
Of course, the broader point here is that, to prevent ID theft, you should never trust that a caller is who they say they are, and therefore never give out your credit card details to anyone who phones you.
This defense would avoid one of the latest telephone phishing tricks which is plaguing newspaper classified advertisers.
The scammer calls numbers from the classified columns, claiming to be the publisher and telling the advertiser there's a problem with their payment. They then insist the victim pays by credit card immediately.
Action: Hang up and call the newspaper yourself.
Finally, one of the fastest-rising and saddest sources of phishing for identity theft targets unemployed people by asking them to provide Social Security numbers and other personal information on job application forms.
The answer is to thoroughly check out any prospective employer before providing any personal details. Check them online, with the local Chambers of Commerce and state licensing authorities.
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Tips & Tricks: Search a Website
Are you looking for something specific on a webpage? Hold down the CTRL key and press the f key. The Find box will open. Type in what you are looking for and press the Enter key.
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Today's Topic: Tech Support Tips
The following article is from JoAnn Sommer of worldstart.com
Sometimes the pleasure of owning a computer is overshadowed by the need to ask for assistance with a computer issue. Calling for technical support does not have to be an unpleasant experience. Preparing yourself before you make that call, and knowing what to expect while talking to support representatives, can help ease the way.
1. Before you pick up the phone, have as much information at hand as possible. Any product serial numbers should be within easy reach and be prepared to answer these questions:
* What version of Windows are you using?
* What, if any, changes did you make to your system before the problem occurred? Include both hardware and software changes, and be honest!
* What is the exact wording of any error message you receive?
* What steps have you taken to try to resolve the issue on your own?
2. Make your call to tech support when you are relatively free from distractions. Being able to focus on what is discussed will go a long way to aiding both you and the tech you are talking to. Do not yell, insult or use profanity no matter how frustrated you are. Most companies advise their techs to hang up on any caller using abusive language. No matter how frustrated you are at the hold time before your call is answered, remember that the tech you are talking to was helping someone else, not ignoring you.
3. Be prepared to verify your address, phone number and even your e-mail address before moving on to your issue. The technician is not being nosy by asking, but rather doing their job. After all, verifying your statistics ensures that your computer is still in your hands and not those of a thief. Many companies require techs to log all calls. If you have called for support before, your statistics may be used to bring up your records and help the technician deal with your issue. Also, if you are using e-mail support, make sure your e-mail address is correct and complete. Otherwise, the tech won't be able to get ahold of you.
4. Be frank about your level of computer expertise. Support technicians talk to customers with vast differences in their skill levels, from the beginner to the expert. If the tech is moving too fast, ask them to slow down. If you don't understand something, ask them to clarify. Don't be embarrassed to admit you are in unfamiliar territory. Likewise, try not to second guess where the tech is leading you and jump ahead. Working together is the surest way to a resolution.
5. Listen carefully to everything the tech is telling you. Most techs have a wealth of knowledge they are more than willing to share with attentive callers.
6. Stick to the subject. Unless you are involved in a long procedure with lots of down time such as a complete Windows reinstall, avoid chit chat. There are many other people waiting to have their call answered (just as you were) and while you may not be working, the tech is.
7. Make sure you get all the help you need. If you have called for assistance with installing hardware, the technician should also help you install the drivers for that hardware. If you have more than one question, jot them down ahead of time so you don't forget them and have to call back.
8. Don't ask your support person to do something that is not their job. For instance, if you have called your computer manufacturer for assistance, don't also ask them to help you with an AOL problem. If you have called for help with installing software, remember it is not the technician's job to train you on that as well.
9. If your computer issue can not be resolved with one phone call, ask the technician to take ownership of it. Many techs are willing to go the extra mile for a friendly customer and will research your problem, then get back to you when they have the solution.
10. Say thank you. Support technicians are people too! If your tech has done an especially good job or kind act, ask if you can send an e-mail to their supervisor to express your appreciation, and then follow through.
Having to call for support on today's technology will probably never be a truly pleasant experience, but it doesn't have to be a painful one either. Don't be intimidated. Being prepared for the call and knowing what to expect ahead of time will make it easier for you and the technician on the phone. And you might just learn a tip or two along the way!
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Question: Restore Volume Icon
I lost the volume icon that is by the clock. Can I get it back?
Answer:
Yes, you can. Here are the steps:
Windows XP
Click the Start button and open Control Panel.
Open Sounds, Speech and Audio Devices.
Click on Sounds and Audio Devices. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window will open. Click the Volume tab at the top.
In the Device volume section, click to place a checkmark in the box to the left of Place volume control icon in the taskbar.
Click the OK button and close Control Panel.
You should now see the volume icon by the clock.
Windows Vista
Right click on the Start Orb.
Left click Properties.
Click the Notification Area tab at the top.
Look for the System icons area. Under Select which system icons to always show, click Volume.
Click the OK button.
You should now see the volume icon by the clock.
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Websites of Interest:
Send a Care Package to a Soldier
http://www.anysoldier.com/
Child Proofing Tips
Get childproofing advice for your home.
http://www.childproofingtips.com/
BBC World Service
News from all corners of the world
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/
Car Rentals
Compare Car Rental Rates
http://www.carrentals.com/
Is This a Scam
Next time you receive a email and are unsure if it is a legit or not, check it at this site.
http://www.jasonmorrison.net/is-this-a-scam/