Disclaimer: This page is not written by a computer genius or highly trained technician, just an ordinary person who had to learn and wanted to pass along some information to help others just starting out. Please take this simply as helpful info and not as technical support or infallible information. Most links on this page which take you from our site are NOT categorized as Christian sites but have very useful information. Akron-Springfield Assembly of God is not responsible for their content. Opinions and recommendations contained in this Web page are not necessarily those of Akron-Springfield A/G or endorsed by Akron-Springfield A/G.

(Also see 'Christian Computing', & 'Christian ISPs' on our Link Portal page)

View our Online Outreach Guide to Web Evangelism

Know Your System | Virus Info | Virus Research & Hoax Sites | SPAM, Spyware, Adware & Web Bugs |
Protect Your Kids - Monitoring Software | Care for CDs & DVDs

Know your system:

Running Windows, right-click on the 'My Computer' icon on your desktop, select 'Properties' and choose the 'General' tab. You will see the type of processor installed, and how much RAM you have.

To check your hard drive capacity; double-click 'My Computer', right-click the drive letter (usually C:), and click 'Properties'.

To check monitor and video card; right-click anywhere on the desktop (not on an icon though), choose 'Properties' and select the 'Settings' tab.

To see what kind of hardware you have; click 'Start', select 'Settings' and double-click 'Control Panel'. Double-click the 'System' icon and then click the 'Device Manager' tab. Click whatever category you are interested in learning more about.

Test your modem/connection speed:(Choose nearest location to you)
TestMySpeed
Toast.net
Broadband Internet Connections Bandwidth Speeds Modems Tests

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Virus Info:

• Viruses still travel in executable form.

• Virus writers are like other software developers; they tend to focus on products with the most commanding market share.

• Most e-mail viruses spread by automatically sending messages with infected attachments to addresses found in your addressbook.

Prevent Viruses on your PC:

• Have, use and regularly update an antivirus application and if using a broadband connection (cable modem or DSL always connected to the Internet) also use a firewall product such as Zone Alarm or Tiny Personal Firewall.

• Expose ALL file extensions. Windows default setting is to hide known file extensions. To change this go to 'Control Panel', 'Options', 'View' tab and either remove the check from 'Hide files of these types and hide file extensions for known file types' and put a check in 'Show all Files'. Or, under 'Hidden files and folders', check the 'Show hidden files and folders' box, depending on your version of Windows.

• Check any new software, from any source, for viruses before installing it on your computer.

• Using various chat programs on the Internet can open up all sorts of interesting ports nasty people can exploit.

• Never open e-mail attachments and check frequently if there are any security updates/patches for the e-mail program you use.

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Virus Research and Hoax Sites: (Use these to check out a questionable e-mail BEFORE you pass along misinformation!!!)

Network Associates McAfee Virus Information Library
Symantec Security Response
Trend Micro
Trend Micro Free Tools
TruthOrFiction.com (Check our their 'Inspirational' section)
Urban Legends Reference Pages (Check our their 'Religion' section)
F-Secure Hoax Warnings
HoaxBusters
Vmyths.com
Room (Viruses and Hoaxes)

As well as Haoxes there are also Internet Scams an Fraud...

Internet ScamBusters
National Fraud Information Center
Internet Detective Tutorial
CyberCrime
U.S. Securities & Exchange - Internet Fraud (Investment Scams)
Fraud Bureau.com

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Tired of unwanted ads and SPAM?
Info on 'Spyware', 'Adware' and 'Web Bugs':

What is it? Spyware is a software component installed on your PC that gathers information about you (usually pertaining to your online activity) and sends this information from your PC to advertisers and other companies or individuals without your knowledge or permission. The spyware component itself is usually found incorporated into software such as games demos, audio players, etc. Usually found in freeware or shareware but can also be found in purchased commercial software. Some well-known example of spyware are Comet Cursor, DoubleClick, and Gator. Some of these and other spyware users do have patches or fixes that will allow you to use the program without sending out the information the spyware was intended to gather.Cookies can be considered a type of spyware but not all cookies should be considered spyware. Most sites don't hide cookies and you can set your browser to warn you about receiving cookies or to reject them entirely. Some Web sites will not function properly if you reject their cookies though. I have my browser set to warn me when any cookies are trying to be set on my computer, that's how I was able to determine what services this site offers (our site 'extras') were using cookie technology and list them on our Privacy Policy page.

Web bugs are tiny image files in a Web page or HTML-formatted e-mail message. They are designed NOT to be seen, and cookie filters don't catch them. They can gather information ranging from your IP address to your surfing habits. In some cases, possibly many, Web bugs can access cookies and send their information back to the Web bug's originator.

Trojans or computer viruses can also be another form of spyware. Infected systems can send out information such as usernames and passwords to the person that created the virus. Using anti-virus software can intercept and deal with many forms of viral spyware.

Some companies offer free software products in exchange for the right to present advertisements. Sometimes these ads may even appear on your computer when you are not even connected to the Internet! These are known as adware. Every time you connect to the Internet, adware programs with spyware gather information about which ads you clicked and send it back to the pertinent advertisers.

Learn more here...
OptOut
Spychecker
Web bug FAQ
Non-PII (Anonymous Information) Opt-Out
Broderbund patch
SpyChaser

A combination of Zone Alarm and Ad-aware can help YOU stay in control of how much and to whom your information is made available to!

 

Tired of SPAM? Fight back!

Most ISPs have a special e-mail for reporting spam. Be sure to forward the mail's entire header. To get this in Netscape Messenger, select View, Headers, All. In Outlook Express, open the message, select File, Properties, and click Details. You'll need to copy and paste the header into the message you forward to your ISP. AOL users send messages to tosspam@aol.com.
You can also forward spam to the Spam Recycling Center at spamrecycle@ChooseYourMail.com which will forward the message to state and federal authorities and software companies to help them improve their filtering tools.

Go to DMA's e-Mail Preference Service, it's a free service for consumers, designed to cut down on the amount of unsolicited commercial e-mail consumers receive in their e-mail in-boxes.

Also visit...Junk E-mail & Fight Spam on the Internet

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Protect Your Kids (Monitoring Software):

A good defense to protect your family against Internet filth is to use a Christian or other 'filtered' ISP. If you choose not to use one of these then you can also purchase the filtering software separately. Some non-filtered ISPs also offer a filter for  an additional fee.

Learn your Browser's setting options for Internet security and site blocking and set to the level you feel appropriate for your family.

A balance of trust and prudence is needed in family use of the PC and Internet. If you choose to monitor your PC and Internet use, explain to your family why you have made this choice. Sometimes just knowing that the computer is being monitored is enough to keep their curiosity from taking them to undesirable sites. Here are some monitoring resources to check out:

CyberPatrol
CyberSitter
Cyber Snoop
MIMEsweeper (E-mail monitoring)
NetNanny
SpectorSoft
SurfControl

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How to Care for CDs & DVDs:

• Don't Touch - Hold the disc by gripping it's outer edge or center hole. Don't touch the 'play/record' (reflective) side.

• Never put tape of any kind on a CD or DVD. Removing it could do damage.

• Keep Away From Moisture and Heat - Cold does not damage a disc but you should warm it to room temperature before use.

• Keep It in a Case - Don't leave them lying around on your desk or on top of your computer.

• Don't Leave it in the Drive - Don't store your discs inside any disc drive. Heat generated by the drive can warp the disc over time.

• Cleaning - Clean with a lint-free cloth, such as an old T-shirt, moistened with rubbing alcohol or glass cleaner. Or buy premoistened cleaning cloths made especially for this purpose from an office supply or computer store. Place the cloth in the middle of the reflective side of the disc and wipe outward toward the discs edge. Let the disc dry completely before use. Do not use tissues or paper towels and don't rub the cloth in circular motions on the disc surface.

• Scratch Repair - Scratches appear as thin lines on the reflective surface. Place a dab of toothpaste on your moistened cloth and smear it on the disc surface. Again, you must wipe in straight lines from the middle of the disc to the outer edge. Clean as mentioned above and let dry. Test to see if the disc no longer skips. If it still does, repeat. You can also purchase scratch removal products. NOTE: The toothpaste technique was recommended by a reputable computer magazine, try at your own risk. We are not responsible for damage.

• Protect the Label Side - The protective layer on the label side is thin. A scratch on the label side could damage the reflective layer or puncture the data layer causing irreparable damage to the disc.

• Don't Remove the Label - Removed labels are likely to leave behind a sticky residue that interferes with the drive's ability to read data from the disc.

• Write Softly - If you choose to write your name on a disc label it's best to use a felt-tip pen. Sharp pens could damage the disc.

• Never Put a Damaged Disc in your Disc Drive - Discs that are significantly damaged (anything more than a surface scratch) should be discarded immediately.

Tip: Unwanted discs, such as those extra ones you receive in the mail, do have other uses...the reflective side makes a beautiful clock face for those who are crafty. Just mount on a piece of wood, or whatever your imagination prompts you to make your clock out of, and use a 'clock kit' found at most craft stores (these 'kits' usually contain the clock works, numbers and hands). As crafts for kid's, groups could use them to adhere a photo on the front (reflective side) and a magnetic strip on the back for a pretty (but large) refrigerator magnet. There are probably many uses for discarded discs if you use your imagination!