NEWSLETTER: August 2008
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Shop 2/2 Bowral Road, Mittagong
 
 
Telephone: 1300 794 022
After Hours: 4886 4012
Fax: 4871 3889
 
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Copyright Sangoski 2006
Until next month, from the Lotus Computers team... 
SHOP OPENING HOURS:
Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.00pm
Saturday 9.30am-3.00pm
 
7 days onsite service and support
Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands
Hello friends and fellow computer users
7th August is the second birthday of the Mittagong shop...
     And for the month of August, we will be giving away presents with all new Lotus computers sold - a digital photo frame key ring to keep over 140 photos, or a 1GB flash drive.
Scanner to win
     As part of our birthday celebration, everyone who comes into our Mittagong shop during August will go into the draw to win a scanner. The Canon LIDE 60 is compact and easy to use and will scan documents and photos, as well as bulky items like books. Please be sure to place your details in the box provided on our front desk. Winner will be announced in next months' newsletter and will also be contacted by phone or email.
Modems to clear
     We have a number of Netcomm VoIP modem routers to clear. These are near new and have been used for only a short time by people who have decided they no longer want to use VoIP. They sell new for $288 but these are only $80 each. They can be used as a router, not just for VoIP - please call Ojas for more information.
     Please call or email us if we can help with your IT requirements. In the meantime, we wish you a very happy month of August... stay warm and enjoy!
support@pcscomputers.com.au
 
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Download Free Fonts
Download Free Fonts at PCWorld.com. Many to choose from.Downloads.PCWorld.com
 - you'll need to look for the right download on this page as there are a few, look for "fonts".

 

Internet protection

    

Q: What exactly is keystroke logging?

A:  It's very important for all computer users to understand what all is involved with keystroke logging. Basically, keystroke logging (also known as keylogging) is a method used to capture and record user keystrokes. It's often thought of in a negative sense, but it can be used for good as well. For example, keylogging can be used to track down certain computer system errors, to research how users interact with certain systems and it can even be used to check on employee productivity for certain tasks. Keylogging is also useful in law enforcement, as it provides a way to unlock passwords and encryption keys.
    
Keystroke logging is also a method used by hackers to get into another user's computer and steal information.
     We recommend AVG Internet Security which stops keystroke loggers in their tracks so that your information stays protected.
    There are two types of keystroke logging: hardware and software based. Hardware loggers come in three different types. First, there are the devices that are attached to the keyboard cable. They are inline devices and they are very easy to install, but they're also easily detected. Secondly, there are the devices that can be installed inside an actual keyboard. They are rather difficult to install, but once they're in, they are almost impossible to detect. Thirdly, there are replacement keyboards that already have the key logger built in. Those are obviously the easiest to work with and the logger is very hard to detect.
    The software loggers are basically set up to see how users interact with different software programs on a computer. They can be used to keep track of how an employee is performing and so on. There are several different types of software keylogging, including local machine software keyloggers, remote access software keyloggers, wireless keylogger sniffers and acoustic keyloggers. They are all used for different tasks and they all provide different results.
    Keystroke logging is used in a variety of ways and while it's used for both positive and negative aspects, it is a useful procedure.

TIME FOR A LAUGH
Ever had the blue screen of death? Here's a new take on it...

Trojans still dominate

     In July, the Panda Security company (US) released their report on malware for the second quarter of 2008. For the first part of 2008, Trojans made the top of the list and it looks like they have dominated once again. The Panda report showed that Trojans made up 63 percent of all new malicious codes found on computers and coming in second was adware with 22.40 percent. The Panda company said that banker Trojans and other specific types of worms seemed to be the most infectious. First of all, banker Trojans are considered to be the most dangerous type of infection in circulation as we speak. The most prevalent banker Trojans go by the names of Sinowal, Banbra and Bancos. Others with less activity (but are still dangerous) include Dumador, SpyForms, Bandiv, PowerGrabber, Bankpatch, Briz, Snatch and Nuklus.

     Worms were also high on the list with 13.5 percent. Yes, Trojans are the most dangerous type of malware, but worms work in a way where one strain is responsible for thousands of infections. A few worms were found to have infected several computers. And there are several types of malware floating around these days.

Once again, we highly recommend you use good protection and we recommend AVG Internet Security. Click here for more information on this product.

Get a free email account
    When it comes to Web-based email there are many choices. Most of us use Google's Gmail, Microsoft's Hotmail, or Yahoo Mail.
     Recent enhancements to Yahoo Mail give that service most of the best features of Outlook and other desktop email programs. This puts Yahoo Mail a notch or two ahead of both Gmail and Hotmail, though those two services are also very good.
     All three of the services get your email account running quickly. Signing up requires only some basic information such as your preferred email address, an alternate (existing) email address, your name, and your country of residence.
     Hotmail also asks for the state or province you live in, the postal code, and your birth year. Yahoo wants to know your birthday (day, month, and year) and postal code.
     Among the more advanced features offered by the services are the ability to search your mail and to link your mail account to a calendar and other ancillary utilities.
     Note that Microsoft offers the equally free Live Mail, but this product — and the accessories that come with it — has to be downloaded and installed on your PC rather than working solely in a browser.
     Email has become such an important application that most of us have our own must-have features as well as those we can live happily without. Some people use filters religiously while other folks never use them. Others might care a lot about page-load speeds but don't have any use for folders.

The table below will help you decide which features of the three services are most important to you. Each of the offerings has some unique, impressive attributes.

 

Feature

Yahoo

Gmail

Hotmail

Storage limits

None

5GB+

5GB

Attachment size limit

10MB

20MB

10MB

Integrated inbox and reading pane

 — 

Drag-and-drop attachments

 — 

Labels (or tags)

 — 

 — 

Sort mail

 — 

Mail-specific context menu

 — 

Custom look and feel1

 — 

 — 

Integrated instant messaging

 — 

Integrated text messaging (SMS)

 — 

 — 

Integrated RSS2

 — 

 — 

Auto forwarding

 — 

 — 

Filtering

Get mail from other accounts (POP in)

Get mail in other clients (POP out)

 — 

 — 

Supports IMAP ( Internet Message Access Protocol)

 — 

 — 

Fast switching among accounts

 — 

 — 

1Hotmail lets you customize color and layout; Yahoo lets you customize color only.
2Gmail lets you display links to RSS feeds, but you need the separate Google Reader site to see the entire feed.
 
There are also paid versions with more attributes. Check them out to find the best for your needs.



How to create your own Podcast
     Have you ever wanted to run your own radio show? Are you a school principal needing to send messages to students? There are many more reasons to start podcasting, click here to find out more.
Data transfer and data recovery
     It can be confusing understanding data transfer and data recovery. Data transfer may be required to take data from one computer to another, data recovery is a more serious issue when a computer is unusable but the data from the hard drive is required.
     Data transfer or recovery does NOT include any programs. Programs are not data and need to be installed on the computer which will be reading and using the data. Programs can be either disks or exe files. Program exe files CAN be transferred as they are files such as those that may have been downloaded from the internet and then installed.
     There are businesses that have specialised laboratories for recovering badly damaged disks so don't despair. If we can't get your data, there is a very good chance they can.
     If you have any questions about data transfer or recovery, please email us.
    
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