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Welcome to this week's edition of the Computer Kindergarten Newsletter.
Today is Sunday, July 1, 2007
This Wednesday is Independence Day. A happy and safe 4th to all!
In this Issue:
Special Feature: Attachment Safety
Featured Computer Term: Window Pane
This Week's Topic: Word Function Key Assistance
Question: Right Click
Websites of Interest: Independence Day
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Special Feature: Attachment Safety
From worldstart, used with permission:
Well, it doesn't seem like any hackers are going to give up any time soon. There have been a number of really bad viruses just within the past six months and it seems like a lot of them are transported or replicated from PC to PC via e-mail attachments. These are easy to spot if you're paying attention, because they are usually executable files. But not always.
Some attachments contain macros, which are simple programs that run within other programs. All the titles in Microsoft Office use macros. If you're not that familiar with spotting file extensions, don't worry, that's what I'm here to talk about today. If you're a little hazy on the whole "file extension" thing, let's spend a few moments going over it.
File extensions are what tell the program how to treat a particular piece of data. For example, most people are somewhat familiar with .doc or .txt file extensions. Those are both text documents and when the user opens them, the operating system looks at the extension and automatically knows how to go about opening it.
Hackers try to use some sort of eye catching ploy to get you to open their e-mail and activate the virus, which always happens to be an attachment. Most antivirus programs nowadays stop or at least warn you of these high risk attachments and they even take measures to protect you. However, on the average, 10 to 15 new viruses are created every day and I personally wouldn't count on any program to protect my PC 100 percent. That's why I scrutinize any e-mails I get. If I wasn't expecting an attachment, I won't open it until I have a chance to talk to the sender.
Some of the more common file types used to hide viruses include:
.scr - Windows Screen Saver. Use caution if you receive a screensaver via e-mail. They can contain worms or viruses.
.pif - Do not open! This is most likely a virus. Clicking it will run a program or code that can mess up your computer.
.exe - Executable file. It's a program that contains a virus, Trojan horse or worm.
.pps - MS PowerPoint (can contain macro viruses).
.zip - Zip (compressed) files.
.vbs - Visual Basic scripts.
.bat - Executable MS DOS batch files.
.com - DOS executable commands.
.asp - Active server page, Internet scripts.
.doc - Word document (can contain macro viruses).
.xls - Excel file (can contain macro viruses).
Now, this is in no way a complete list. Just because an attachment may have one of these extensions doesn't mean it is a virus, but it should send up warning flags. Hackers use clever subject lines and viruses can appear to come from a friend, so stay on your toes and don't be a victim to their deceptive traps. Scan those attachments and verify with the sender before you open anything!
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Featured Computer Term: Window Pane
What is a Window Pane? I see that term and I am not sure what it means.
Answer:
A Window Pane is one or the other side of a split window. A good example is Windows Explorer (to open click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and click Windows Explorer).
You will see a window with a gray bar down the middle; if the left side contains more content than will fit on the screen, the gray bar will be a scroll bar. The area to the left of the bar is the left pane, and to the right, is the right pane.
In our example of Windows Explorer, the left pane contains folders. Click on a folder on the left and the right pane will display its contents.
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: Word Function Key Assistance
Question: Since I am not very good at using the mouse, I love using keyboard shortcuts and function keys. The problem is, I am 82 years old, and my memory is not the best anymore. Short of sticking notes all over my monitor, do you have any tricks to remember which key does what?
Answer:
In Microsoft Word, there is a great trick to help you remember. You can display a toolbar that will list all the Function keys (the F# keys across the top row) and what each key does by itself and in combination with the Alt, Ctrl, and Shift keys.
Here are the steps to open that toolbar:
Click Tools on the menu and then click Customize. This will open the Customize window; click the Toolbars tab at the top. Click the small box to the left of Function Key Display; a small checkmark will appear in the box. Click the Close button.
You should now see a toolbar appear, probably at the bottom of the window, listing what each function key will do when pressed. Press and hold down the Alt, Ctrl, or Shift key; the display will change to show what each function key does in combination with the key you are pressing.
If you find you no longer need this toolbar displayed, follow the steps above, clicking the small box to the left of Function Key Display to remove the checkmark.
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Question: Right Click
Question: I love your newsletter and have learned much of what I know from reading it. One question I have, though, is this: In many of your articles, you mention right clicking on something. I am not sure what this is. Could you explain? Many thanks for all you do.
Answer:
Every mouse on a Windows computer has a left and right button. When the steps require a right click, press and release the right button instead of the left. If you use the mouse with your right hand, use your middle finger to press the right button. If you use your left hand, you would use your index finger.
Try using the right mouse button. It is a great way to discover new shortcuts.
When you right click on something, a menu, called the right-click menu or context menu, will open filled with things you can do to the object you just clicked on. For example, if you right click on a blank spot on the desktop, one of the choices in the menu will let you change the colors and background on the screen.
Try right clicking on different things. You will find a lot of handy shortcuts.
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Websites of Interest:
Independence Day
Visit our website for July 4th graphics and links to interesting websites about our flag, fireworks, history and much more.
http://computerkindergarten.com/html/independence.html |
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