Tip O'Tex Computer Club Newsletter
June 2003
Flag day - June 14
Computer Viruses
Yes, I know.... this has been discussed over and over. But some things just need to be repeated, because some people just don't pay attention. So its time to NAG, NAG, NAG again.
There was a new virus out last month. According to Symantec, that virus is set to de-activate May 31. If that is so, then the danger from that particular virus is past. However, how about the next one? There are a bunch of strange people out there creating viruses, or more likely just changing the old ones so that the anti-virus programs won't identify them.
Most people seem to be using either Norton Anti-Virus or Grisoft AVG to prevent their computers from becoming infected. No matter what anti-virus program you're using, it won't be of any use if you don't keep it updated.
Some seem to think that because their anti-virus program runs every day (or once a week) that it is kept current. That is just NOT the case. When an anti-virus program runs every day, it is checking the computer to see if there are any newly infected files, and it is checking for viruses using the latest virus database available to it. If you haven't updated your virus database recently, you're running a program daily that isn't doing you a whole lot of good.
Most people that have Norton have it set for checking for updates automatically every time they go online, but there are those that don't have it set that way. Even if you have it set for automatic updates, you should click on Live Update every once in a while. Only the virus definitions are automatically updated, and there are times when there are program updates. Those you have to request, using the Live Update button in Norton. When you do that, you may see several items that have updated versions. You should get all of them - even if you think you don't need them. The program authors know better than we do, what our programs need. You may be prompted to re-start your computer. You may even be told to continue going after updates until there are none available. Do so.
And if you're using the free version of AVG, you have to check that yourself. You should open your AVG at least once a week while you're online, and see if the Update button says your database is up-to-date. If it shows your database is "too old" you should click on the Update button, then click on Update on the next screen also. While the update is downloading you'll see a progress screen, and when its done, you'll be prompted to install it. You may be told to re-start your computer, but not always.
MailWasher
Getting tired of receiving a gazillion junk e-mails each day? Ready to change your e-mail address so you can stop at least some of them? Well, MailWasher may be just the program you need. I've been using it for a few years now, and wouldn't dream of opening my Outlook Express until I've had MailWasher have a go at my list of e-mails. MailWasher is available in a free version that allows you to work with only one e-mail address, but if you have multiple addresses (excluding AOL, Juno, CompuServe or Yahoo) you can buy it for $29.95. While it is designed mainly to work with ISPs only, the pay version will work with your Hotmail also. You should try out the free version, and if it meets your needs, you can just stick with that.
Here are some of the things MailWasher (available at http://www.mailwasher.net) can do.
Bounce back unwanted e-mails so it looks as if your email address is not valid. This will make the sender think your address is no longer active so your name can be removed from their list.
Delete unwanted e-mails before you download them. You'll be able to see who the email is from, the subject, and the attachment. This will enable you to decide if you want to delete the email or keep it. A great way to stop viruses or large attachments.
Analyze. MailWasher analyses each email as it arrives and warns you if it is suspected junk mail or a virus by heuristic checking and filtering. The standard status categories are - Normal, Virus, Possibly virus, Possibly spam, Probably spam, Chain letter, Blacklisted, Blacklisted by (ORDB, Spam Cop etc).
Blacklist. Any e-mails you bounce back get their senders details put on the blacklist for easy removal if they come back. You can even set it to automatically bounce and delete blacklisted e-mails, or whole domains off the server.
Friends List. Add your friends email addresses to MailWasher and they will always be recognized. You can even hide your friends from the screen so the spam is easy to recognize. Sometimes friends addresses can appear to be spam because the letter they're sending may have been sent to a whole bunch of addresses, and that's how some spam is identified. When that happens, just RIGHTclick on your friend's address and then click Add to Friends list.
Preview. You can preview the message in your email to see what the sender has to say before downloading it. Just double click on the message.
