'NetlineNews
             October 2003

 Welcome

Welcome all of our new Internet subscribers.   This newsletter is sent out the first of each month.  Scroll down for some tips and tricks along with links to some useful, informative, and entertaining websites.  We hope you enjoy this newsletter.  Your comments are always welcome.   netnews@meltel.net

 
If you prefer not to receive this newsletter each month, you may be taken off the mailing list any time.  See unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of this newsletter. 
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 Editors Comments

Remember to turn your clocks back, October 26!
Have you heard about W32.Swen.A@mm?  No it isn't an Ole & Lena joke, it's a NEW VIRUS that is spreading to and from peoples email boxes. But don't worry, in this issue of Netline News you will learn how to recognize and remove the new virus. You will also find a variety of links to great sites, such as a Halloween site that is filled with games, safety tips, and screensavers, a tribute to Johnny Cash link, some homework help sites and more.  Just sit back a enjoy the net!

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!

Send me a tip or comment:  netnews@meltel.net
 This Month's Issue
<> Your Local Help Desk
<> Tech Tips & Tricks
<> Sites of the Month
<> Humor is Good Medicine
NetlineNews Archives		 <> Feature of the month
<> Internet Classes
<> This Month's Chronicles
<> Questions & Answers
<> Top Ten
 Your Local Help Desk

New Virus Threat: W32.Swen.A@mm

The W32.Swen.A@mm worm is spread through people opening up an email that "claims" to be a Microsoft update, and also through file sharing programs like Kazaa. In most cases the worm will arrive as an attachment in an email. When the file is opened it will open a dialogue box with the title of “Microsoft Internet Update Pack.”

If the worm is already installed the user will get a message saying “This update does not need to be installed on this system.” Otherwise you will receive a message stating “This will install Microsoft Security Update. Do you wish to continue?” If the “No” button is clicked, the worm will still install itself secretly without the users knowledge. If the “Yes” button is clicked, the user will be shown a fake installation dialogue.

Typical file names for this worm are “upgrade, update, patch, q, install, installer, and installation.” The subject line for this email will usually include the words “Microsoft, Update, Security, Critical, and/or Patch.”

This worm can be removed by updating your virus definitions, and doing a Full System Scan on your computer. For more information on this worm visit:
www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.swen.a@mm.html

Help Desk hours are:
Monday - Friday: 8am to 9pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm
256-8324     764-8324     597-8324
e-mail: support@meltel.net

 Tech Tips & Tricks

FIGHTING THE BATTLE AGAINST VIRUSES AND SPAM!
diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company is doing both.

Virus E-xterminator- is our virus protection, which scans every piece of incoming and outgoing mail looking for viruses. This does not take the place of your own anti-virus software, you still must take precautions and protect your own files; however, it did stop nearly 156,000 emails that were trying to come into our mail server within a 9 day period. This service is automatically applied to our subscribers and it is absolutely free! We can not guarantee that it stops all viruses, but it certainly slows them down!

Junk E-liminator- is our anti-spam protection, which scans email coming in to our system that is simply junk mail. We have heard from customers who have this new service and they reported that spam has been greatly decreased and they wouldn't be without Junk E-liminator! Visit our website at www.meltel.com and sign up for Junk E-liminator.

Arm yourself with the information needed to defend yourself from computer viruses.
 http://cnet.com/software/0-5067630-8-6319437-1.html
http://www.mcafeeb2b.com/avert/virus-alerts/default.asp
 http://www.f-secure.com/
 Sites of the Month

Please send me your top 5 websites: netnews@meltel.net

Play Smash-O-Lantern, download cool coloring pages and screensavers, and learn about Halloween safety!
http://www.animatedhalloween.com/en/main

This site by the American Psychological Association will help you to understand how each of us react differently to acute stress or trauma.  http://helping.apa.org/index.html

This website is just for girls it's packed with fun learning experiences!
http://www.lisafrank.com/

Homework help sites
http://www.highschoolhub.org/hub/hub.cfm
http://school.discovery.com/students/index.html

He was known as "The Man in Black" Johnny Cash was a legend and this website will tell you all!
http://www.legacyrecordings.com/johnnycash/

This site has lots of fun activities and information for families, but of particular interest to people with pre-school age children, there is a Reading Readiness quiz you can give your child that is very interesting. www.familyeducation.com

This is a company that will take a photo that you submit and turn it into personalized confetti - for example a picture of a new baby can be made into personalized confetti for a baby shower, bride & groom for a wedding reception, etc. - just a neat little novelty.
www.confoti.com
Humor is Good Medicine

A police officer had just pulled over a car full of nuns for going too slow on a major highway.
Police officer: "Why were you driving so slowly?"
Nun driver: "I kept seeing all these signs with the number 20 on them and figured that was the speed limit."
Police officer: "No, Sister, that is the highway number."
Nun: "Oh, I'm so sorry, Officer, I didn't know that."
Then the police officer looks into the back seat and sees that the nuns there have panic-stricken faces and white knuckles from holding on to each other too tightly.
Police officer: "What's wrong with the nuns in the back seat?"
Nun: "Oh, we just got off Highway 166 a few miles ago."

Have a joke?  email it to netnews@meltel.com
Feature of the Month

Advantages of Caller ID
  • You know who is calling before you answer.
  • You can screen your calls.
  • It allows you to see what calls you missed.
  • Quick access to recent callers.
  • The Price is RIGHT! $5.00/month for Caller ID or $6.00/month for Enhanced

Call us for more details!
256-7471            548-3200
597-3333            764-7600
 
Free Internet Classes

Browsing Only
Melrose High School Library
Oct. 28.....7:00pm to 9:00pm

Email Only
Melrose High School Library
Oct. 30.....7:00pm to 9:00pm

Beginner Internet Classes
Eden Valley High School-Rm 127
Oct. 14.....7:00pm to 9:30pm

Beginner Internet Classes
Kimball High School
Media Center
Oct. 27.....7:00pm to 9:30pm

Call to register and for more info:
Melrose Telephone Company
256-7471        548-3200
597-3333        764-7600


Internet Beginner I Class
Sauk Centre High School Library
Oct. 21. .....7:00pm to 9:00pm

Call to register and for more info:
 351.1460
This Month's Chronicles
Birthstone:  Opal
Flower: Calendula
Oct. 5........... World Smile Day
World Teacher Day
Oct. 7........... Child Health Day
Oct. 8........... Firefighter's Day
Oct.13.......... Columbus Day
Oct.16.......... National Boss's Day
Oct. 26......... Daylight Savings Time
Oct.31.......... Halloween

This Day in History
 www.scopesys.com/anyday

Horoscope 
Libra -- Sept. 23 - Oct. 22
Scorpio - Oct. 23 - Nov. 21
 
Questions & Answers

 Q: Netscape is set-up as my default browser but I want to use Internet Explorer instead. How do I switch this over?

A: First, download the latest version of Microsoft's Internet Explorer.  Open Internet Explorer by clicking on the corresponding icon located on your desktop.  Click on "Tools" located on the menu bar and then select "Internet Options." Next, click your cursor arrow on the "Programs" tab and then select the "Reset Internet Options" button. (You may be asked if you want to reset  your start page.) That should be all there is to it!

Send us your questions and we will do our best to answer them!
netnews@meltel.com



Safety Tips
  • Carry a flashlight
  • Walk, don't run.
  • Stay on Sidewalks
  • Obey traffic signals
  • Make sure costumes don't drag on the ground.
  • Avoid wearing masks while walking from house to house.
  • Wear clothing with reflective markings or tape.
  • Approach only houses that are lit.
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 Disclaimer
We do not have financial interest in, or endorse, any of the sites, or products offered by the sites, listed in this customer newsletter.  No opinions expressed on these sites should be considered to be the opinion of diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company or it's employees. This is a free service of diversiCOM Melrose Telephone Company to enhance your Internet
surfing experience. It is our policy to not share your e-mail address with any third party for any reason.