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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, May 4, 2008
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Identity Theft on the Internet – Protect Yourself
Tip # 6 Never Leave Information on a Public Computer
Tips & Tricks: Google Phone Directory
Important Reminder – Antivirus Auto Scans
This Week's Topic: Start Programs Automatically
Question: Windows Vista Firewall
Websites of Interest: Cinco de Mayo; Mothers Day; Neptune Ocean Observatory
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Special Feature: Identity Theft on the Internet – Protect Yourself
Tip # 6 Never Leave Information on a Public Computer
If you use a computer away from home – at a coffee shop, Internet café, library or any other public location, your information can be left behind for someone else to access.
Try to avoid using public computers but, if you cannot, make sure you log out of any sites you visited. That includes your email account and any other websites you sign into.
This article is Part 6 of our series, Identity Theft on the Internet – Protect Yourself. To read our previous tips, please visit our newsletter archives:
Tip #1 Never Put Personal or Financial Information In An Email
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/033008.html
Tip #2 Beware of Phishing Attempts
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/040608.html
Tip #3 Never Post Personal Information Online
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/041308.html
Tip # 4 Never Click on Pop Up Advertising Windows
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/042008.html
Tip # 5 Never Put Personal Information on an Insecure Website
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/042708.html
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Tips & Tricks: Google Phone Directory
Google has listings for millions of U.S. households in its Phonebook. Enter first name or initial and last name, city and state or zip code and Google will return search results with phone book listings at the top of the page.
Please visit our archives for the Google Tips and Tricks we featured in previous editions of our newsletter:
Google Dictionary
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/021008.html
Google Stock Watch
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/021708.html
Google Calculator
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/022408.html
Google Weather
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/030208.html
Google Worldwide Clock
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/030908.html
Google Measurement Conversion
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/041308.html
Google Facts
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/042008.html
Google Flight Status
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/042708.html
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Important Reminder – Antivirus Auto Scans
Have your computer run full scans on a regular basis. Even though most antivirus programs have a protection feature that should find and stop any virus attempting to attack your computer, it is still a good idea to run full system scans periodically.
Most antivirus programs include the ability to set up automatic scans. To see if your program has this feature, open it up and look into the Settings menu. If you can’t find it by looking around, go into Help and do a search on Scheduling Scans. If no information is available there, visit your antivirus program’s website.
After learning how to set up the automatic periodic scan, you will have to decide when to run the scan. With many antivirus programs, a scan will slow down your computer significantly, so you do not want the scans to run while you are working. It is best to set up the scan to run when you are not using your computer. Pick a time when your computer is on; scans will not run if the computer is shut down. And, make sure your computer is not in standby or hibernation mode either; an antivirus scan will not wake the computer up.
When you are setting up the automatic scan, some antivirus programs will ask you which types of files to scan. Select all of them. Currently, there are types of files that cannot contain or be affected by viruses, but things change. There are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of hackers out there writing new viruses all the time. Who knows when one of them is going to discover a way to put viruses into files that we think are safe.
And, don’t forget to update your antivirus. While you are looking around in your antivirus program, check on the expiration date. It is important for the program to be current, so it has information on any new viruses out there.
Is there a computer term or phrase that you'd like to see an explanation of? Email it to info@computerkindergarten.com and we'll put the term and its definition in an upcoming newsletter.
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Today's Topic: Start Programs Automatically
Question: On my granddaughter’s computer, Outlook Express starts up automatically when she turns the computer on. Can I set mine to do that too?
Answer:
Yes, you can. You can add an Outlook Express shortcut to the Startup folder in your Start menu. Here are the steps:
Click on Start and open All Programs. Right click on Startup. Left click Open in the resulting menu. A folder will open on the desktop.
Click on Start again and open All Programs.
Look for Outlook Express. Point to it; press and hold down the right mouse button. With the button pressed, drag it to the desktop. When the mouse pointer is pointing to the desktop, release the button. A small menu will open; left click on Copy or Create Shortcut Here (depending on your version of Windows).
Close the Start menu. Drag the icon for Outlook Express into the Startup folder window. Close the window and restart the computer. When the computer is completely restarted, Outlook Express will be open on the Desktop.
You can use these steps to automatically open any program at startup. While this will add time to the start up of your computer, it is a convenient way to start a program that you use every time you turn on your computer.
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Question: Windows Vista Firewall
How do I turn on the firewall on my new Windows Vista computer?
Answer:
Click the Start orb and then open Control Panel. Click Security. That will open the Security page.
Click Windows Firewall. It will tell you whether the Firewall is on or off. If it is off, click Change Settings.
The User Account Control window will open and the screen will darken slightly. This is a security precaution that you will see every time you try to make changes to the system. It can be an inconvenience but it is there to insure that you are the one making the changes and not a virus or hacker. Click the Continue button.
The Windows Firewall Settings window will now be on the screen. Click the small circle to the left of On (recommended).
Click the OK button and close any open Control Panel windows.
The Windows Firewall will now be on and protecting your computer.
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Websites of Interest:
Cinco de Mayo
The Fifth Of May is a holiday that commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French army in 1862. For an account of the battle, and the politics behind it, visit the Cinco de mayo de 1862 - La Batalla de Puebla website.
http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/spa5may.htm
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Mariachi Music and Special Fare. This website has recipes for spicy soups, salads, and chicken and fish dinners.
http://www.tabasco.com/html/taste_cincorelease.html
Mothers Day
Next Sunday is Mothers Day. Visit our website for many fun and interesting links for and about Mom.
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/mom.html
Neptune Ocean Observatory
Take a look at this amazing ocean observatory, where you can learn all about our planet's oceans, look at some astounding photographs and much more.
http://tinyurl.com/5e3frg
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