Viruses, how can I protect my
computer?
Are you infected? A quick way to answer this
question is to ask yourself: have you or anyone with access
to your computer clicked on an attachment lately? If you did,
was the attachment one you had expected and did it bring up
a file in a normal fashion? If you have clicked on an attachment
that didn't seem to do anything, you may be infected.
Understanding anti-virus software
Anti-virus software will help protect your computer. However,
anti-virus software companies play a constant game of 'catch-up'
with the virus writers, who try to craft new viruses so that
they can't be detected by existing software. Some viruses
make it difficult, if not impossible, to download updates
from an anti-virus software site once your computer has been
infected.
For your anti-virus software to work, you need to regularly
update it. You also need to realize that having this installed
does not guarantee 100% protection. You still need to be able
to spot a virus in your inbox to avoid infection.
Identifying a virus in your inbox
Simply put, you should be suspicious of any email that has
an attachment. Period. If you did not expect the attachment,
resist any urge to click until you have confirmed that the
sender meant to send you the file. A quick email or phone
call could help you avoid a lot of trouble and expense.
Here are some common characteristics of a typical
virus:
- The email comes from someone you know or a familiar source
(e.g. friends, family, administration, staff).
- The email contains a brief message that varies from virus
to virus. Sometimes the text is in poorly written English
- "here is file". With other viruses the message
may generate a strong feeling of emotion that drives the
user to click on the attachment immediately.
- The email messages can be changed, making it easier for
the virus writers to trick users into opening the attached
file.
- The attachment has a variety extensions (e.g. zip, pif,
exe, etceteras).
- Messages may have multiple extensions (example: somefile.doc.pif)
If you receive a virus attachment, your anti-virus software
should try to quarantine or delete the file. If this does
not happen, you can manually delete the attachment. To do
this you need to locate the file in your attachments file,
click on it ONCE (an accidental double click will activate
the virus, so be careful!) and then click the delete key on
your keyboard.
What to do if you are infected
Several virus sites provide free removal tools that you can
use to remove common viruses and most anti-virus web sites
explain how to remove each virus from your computer. However,
cleaning up an infected machine can be quite complex.
We can help you.
Some anti-virus companies
AVG
(It’s free)
Symantec
McAfee
The bottom line: avoiding infection
The best way to protect your computer from computer viruses
is to be extremely cautious when you receive any attachment.
Also, be sure to use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date.
go to top
What is a
Domain Name?
A domain name is essentially a signpost on the Internet.
Almost every web site you've ever been to, and every email
you've ever composed, has used a domain name in its address.
People register domain names in order to 'stake a claim' to
a particular name -- whether for business or personal reasons.
Once you register a domain name, it is entirely yours, no
other party may use that identity online as long as you continue
to pay the yearly renewal fee and abide by the terms of use.
go to top
For what stands "ISP "?
ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. An ISP provides
access to the Internet for others via some connectivity service(s).
go to top
Web Hosting
?
The World Wide Web is a massive collection of web sites,
all hosted on computers (called web servers) all over the
world. The web server (computer) where your web site's html
files, graphics, etc. reside is known as the web host. Web
hosting clients simply upload their web sites to a shared
(or dedicated) web server, which the ISP maintains to ensure
a constant, fast connection to the Internet.
A Web Hosting company provides you space on their web server,
which allows you anyone on the Internet to view your web site.
Web Hosts charge on a monthly basis and provide differing
levels of service.
go to top
How can I find out if the Domain name
I want is still available?
A Domain name search engine that can instantly tell you whether
or not the name is available.
go to top
How should I choose between .com,
.net and .org for my Domain Name?
Often a domain name is registered with all three variations
of the Top Level Domain (TLD) extensions. This ensures that
you will have a unique name and no others will be able to
register it. The .com and .net extensions are preferred for
business. Traditionally .org domain names have been used by
non-profit organizations.
go to top
Are there restrictions on the use
of .com, .net or .org extensions?
No. There are no restrictions on the use of these Top Level
Domain extensions. You may use any or all that you wish for
the domain names you register.
go to top
The name I want is already taken.
What should I do?
If the name you would like is already being used by someone
else, think of a variation on that name. If you still can't
find a name, try adding the word "the" or "my"
in front of the domain name. Be creative and use a combination
of two words instead of a single word.
go to top
Can I register a Domain Name if I
don't have a web site?
Yes. You can register a Domain Name at any time, whether
or not you intend to use that name right away. If you register
a domain name and wish to hold on to it without using it,
you may use the "Free Parking" service. This will
allow your domain name to be registered properly until you
decide to use it.
go to top
What is a URL?
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. The URL is a unique
string of characters that correspond to a unique location
on the Internet. The URL may be a Domain Name, a homepage
of a web site or any other page in a specific web site.
go to top
How do I put up a web site using my
new Domain Name?
You must use the services of a hosting company to "host"
your site. The hosting company's computer makes your web site
and the pages you created for the site available to others
on the Internet.
go to top
Once my Domain name is registered,
can anyone else take it?
The Domain is registered in your name. So long as it has
active DNS entries, all the required fees are paid and it's
not in breach of any law, nobody else can either use it or
take it without your consent.
go to top
How long is my Domain name valid?
Most Domain names are registered for an initial period of
one or two years, after that, your hosting company has to
renew your account and you have to pay again.
go to top
|
