Protect Your PC - How To Get Free Microsoft Security Updates For Your Computer

Protecting your computer from viruses, worms, and other hacker attacks is an unfortunate part of life on the Internet. Because Microsoft Corp. products have proven vulnerable to such threats, the company helps its customers fight back with its security updates system.

A list of Microsoft security updates, available at http://www.microsoft.com/security/bulletins , is updated, when needed, on the second Tuesday of each month. If you use Microsoft products (such as Windows, Internet Explorer, Office, and MSN Messenger, among others), we strongly recommend you visit this web page monthly to download the critical software fixes (called "patches") listed there. At this web page, you can sign up to receive e-mail, instant messaging, or RSS alerts each time a major security update is released.

The Microsoft Windows Update website ( http://update.microsoft.com ) provides another easy way to quickly install software fixes for Microsoft products. When you visit this web page, your PC is automatically scanned for missing critical software updates, providing you a list of updates that you can choose to install.

It's important to remember that Microsoft will NEVER e-mail you software updates or patches as e-mail attachments. Malicious hackers have been known to send spoof e-mail messages that appear to come from Microsoft, urging you to download the accompanying attachment to prevent infection by a virus or worm. These attachments are actually worms or viruses themselves. If you are not currently set up to automatically receive software updates from Microsoft, ALWAYS be sure to go to Microsoft web pages to download Microsoft-related patches and service packs rather than doing so via links e-mailed to you.

Of course, it is vitally important to use and regularly update your computer's anti-virus software. Always scan file attachments of all incoming e-mail messages, even messages from people you trust. Many viruses and worms are spread over networks, through attachments, and by sharing storage media such as diskettes, Zip disks, and CDs. You have the ultimate responsibility for protecting your computer against these threats.

Back to Top

FMTC Security Coverage - Now Available

Have you noticed:

• your new computer running slower and slower or frequently locking up causing you to actually power it off?
• your spending more time dealing with computer upgrades, viruses, and other nagging computer performance issues?
• floods of new popups even while your not browsing the Internet?

Or worse yet have you:

• lost data due to a recent virus attack?
• had to have your computer completely rebuilt by your local PC shop because of Internet security threats?

Most computer users have either experienced these issues directly or know of a neighbor, business associate, or relative that has been impacted by them. Unfortunately Internet security threats, the leading cause of these issues, are growing on a daily basis and the number of advertised solutions to protect against them continues to grow just as fast. Both cause the average computer user significant frustration, time wasted, and lots of money.

FMTC now has available SecureIT and SecureIT Plus so you can stop worrying about these issues. We have taken the guesswork and, more importantly, the risk out of the "do-it-yourself" model.

The services are available to any computer that has an internet connection whether that connection is dial-up or broadband such as DSL or cable modem and once installed we continually monitor them to ensure everything stays fully updated and your computer protected. We are so confident that you'll enjoy the service we provide a 30 day risk free trial.

Simply put, if you don't believe we are providing you with the best protection service possible within the first 30 days then you pay nothing. There really is nothing to lose.

Don't waste any more time, try it today. Please contact FMTC for more details. SecureIT is our core building block that focuses on stopping and eliminating basic Internet threats without any user interaction. SecureIT provides fully managed computer virus and threat protection and automated Microsoft patch updates that are fully tested prior to installation. This basic protection stops viruses and worms dead in their tracks.

SecureIT Plus builds upon the base security protection from viruses, worms, and missing Microsoft patches delivered by SecureIT to include:

• Spyware threat detection and removal
• Internet Explorer popup and ad blocking
• Hard drive optimization and maintenance

With SecureIT Plus not only is your computer fully protected from all the various expanded Internet Security threats but it's also optimized and maintained to provide you with top notch performance.

Why waste your time worrying about what type of protection you need, what product or products you should install to help, who is going install them, who is going to maintain and update them, and more importantly who you can call if you have any questions.

For about the same price as buying commercial products and doing it yourself FMTC can provide SecureIT Plus, a proven and guaranteed computer protection service. With our 30 day risk free trial you have nothing to lose.

Our pricing model is simple and allows you to pay as you go instead of everything upfront. The cost is based on a per computer per month service as shown below.

Back to Top

Ask The Help Desk - Is There A Shortcut When Using Online Drop-Down Boxes?

Question: Sometimes when I'm using a drop-down box while making a purchase online, it takes forever to scroll down to the item I'm looking for. Is there a better way?

Answer: Yes, there is a better way. We'll illustrate how with an example.

Let's say you're filling out an online shopping cart form that asks you to select the item you intend to purchase from a drop-down box. The site's drop-down box includes dozens of products (listed alphabetically) for you to choose from. If you are purchasing an apron, you're all set since your product starts with the letter "a" and will be listed towards the top. But what if you are buying an umbrella? You'd have to scroll down through lots of products to get to "umbrellas."

Here's a quicker way. When you get to a drop-down box, type in the first letter of the item you're hunting for. You'll find that items beginning with that letter start popping up in the box. So, for the example above, simply type in the letter "u" and products starting with "u" (there can't be many) will come up. No more scrolling!

Back to Top

Great Sites To Check Out This Month

Photos Of Cats With Stuff On Them
http://stuffonmycat.com -  It's exactly what it sounds like — lots of pictures of cats with stuff on them ... styrofoam packing peanuts, shower caps, post-it notes, empty pizza boxes, celery sticks, headphones, jig saw puzzle pieces, loose change, etc. There are some pretty funny pictures. Go check them out!

Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair
http://Appliance411.com -  This site offers free repair help for do-it-yourselfers when it comes to fixing broken washing machines, dryers, microwaves, garbage disposals, humidifiers, dishwashers, stoves, trash compactors, water filters, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and more. Looking for an owner's manual for your make and model? Appliance411.com can help. Looking for the model number on your appliance but can't locate it? You've come to the right place!

See Our Nation's Fall Foliage By Rail
http://amtrak.com -  Autumn is a great time of the year to travel the states to see the many colors of nature. Why not leave the driving to someone else this fall and travel by train? AMTRAK operates the U.S.'s national passenger rail service and offers a variety of scenic tours throughout our beautiful country. AMTRAK's website provides information on schedules, fares and reservations, station locations, and on their "Small Groups Save Big" travel savings program.

Learning Science Can Be Fun
http://ars.usda.gov/is/kids -  This site is an interesting learning resource targeted toward kids ages 8-13. (Adults can learn a lot here too!) The website is sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture and was developed by the Agricultural Research Service information staff in Beltsville, Maryland. Topics reviewed include "Tastes Like Chicken" (edible bugs), "Vinegar: More Than Just A Salad Dressing," "Powerful Plants Meet Tough Tanks," and "What's Good About Sewer Bacteria."

The World's Largest Balloonfest
http://balloonfiesta.com -  The end of this month marks the beginning of the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. Albuquerque, New Mexico, hosts this annual event which this year runs from September 30th through October 9th. Over 700 balloonists participate in simultaneous liftoffs and a variety of flying accuracy competitions. Balloons with special shapes (i.e. piggy bank, stagecoach, cow) are also a part of the event agenda. Check out the site for a huge picture gallery and more event details.

Back to Top

Short Tutorial - Opening And Saving Received vCard Information

Last month we provided tutorials on how to create and send vCards via e-mail. Remember, vCards are digital business cards that can be attached to outgoing e-mail messages. The vCards usually contain text-based information (such as address, phone, and fax numbers) and appear as attachments that have a ".vcf" file extension name.

The tutorials below show you how to open and then save information contained within received vCards to then be placed into your address book.

Opening/Saving a vCard in Outlook Express When Using Windows XP:

1. When receiving a vCard attachment from a friend or a business associate, first save the vCard attachment to your desktop.
2. Open your address book by clicking your cursor arrow on its icon in the Outlook Express tool bar or by going to the Outlook Express "Tools" menu and clicking on "Address Book" from the drop-down menu.
3. When the Address Book Window opens, click on the "File" menu and drop down to "Import." Click on "Business Card (vCard)" from the resulting submenu.
4. When the "Import Business Card (vCard)" window opens, navigate to the saved vCard on your desktop and click on it to select it.
5. Click on the "Open" button.
6. The vCard properties window will open. Click "Okay" to save and close. The vCard information will now be saved onto your Outlook Express address book.

Opening/Saving a vCard in Entourage When Using Macintosh OS X:

1. Double click your cursor arrow on the vCard attachment.
2. The vCard will open in its own window.
3. Click on the "Save" button on the vCard's button bar. The vCard information will be saved to your Entourage address book.

Opening/Saving a vCard in Mail.app When Using Macintosh OS X:

Double click your cursor arrow on the vCard that you were sent. Your address book will open automatically and display the information that was in the vCard.

Opening/Saving a vCard When Using Mozilla-based E-mail Programs:

While the Mozilla based e-mail software programs (i.e. Netscape 7.2 and Thunderbird 1.0) can send vCard attachments, they don't allow you to import the contact information directly into your address book. However, the information shows up in the preview window so you can simply copy and paste the information into a new address book entry.

Back to Top

We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It's our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click HERE.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Kevin T. Cabbage
General Manager
Farmers Mutual Telephone Company



Telephone:
1-800-205-1110

Technical Support Hours:

24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a week 365 Days a year

Telephone support is available for connection and Internet-software problems. They cannot answer general usage ("How do I....") questions. You should refer to any help files and use email or UseNet for these types of questions.

Email:
Support@netINS.net

Farmers Mutual Telephone Co. Stanton
410 Broad Ave
Stanton, IA 51573-0220

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

ø2005 Cornerstone Publishing Group Inc.

Trademarks: All brand names and product names used in this eNewsletter are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.