Comporium eNewsletter eNewsletter

E-Mail Virus
New Electronic Gadgets Can Contain Viruses

Ask Comporium

Ask The Help Desk
Are Pop-ups Dangerous?

Sites Of The Month
Great Sites To Check Out In July

Short Tutorial
Adjusting Your Pop-up Blocker Settings

Welcome, Comporium Internet Subscribers

This July issue provides ideas for summer fun as well as warnings about some potential threats. If you're planning to buy any new electronic gadgets, don't miss the alert about products contaminated with viruses when they leave the manufacturer. You'll also learn about pop-ups and the dangers they can pose, as well as how to adjust the pop-up blocker settings in your browser. Now for the fun part — check out the Great Sites section for summertime travel inspiration, a delicious look at watermelons, and a spectacular view of mysterious Mars.

The goal of each of our monthly eNewsletters is to keep our subscribers informed regarding their Internet connection and to improve their Internet experience. We think you'll find this information interesting. If, however, you'd prefer not to receive these bulletins on a monthly basis, click here.

To see what's inside this issue, simply scroll down the eNewsletter or click on the links within the index to the left. Thanks for reading!

- The Comporium Internet Team

E-Mail Virus - New Electronic Gadgets Can Contain Viruses

You've heard about computer viruses that invade your computer via e-mails or pop-up ads. But now damaging viruses are showing up inside electronic gadgets shipped straight from manufacturers. Consumers are reporting that new products they've purchased, such as digital picture frames and GPS navigation systems, contained viruses that spread to their computers via USB cable. These viruses can steal passwords, open doors for hackers, and make computers spew spam.

How does it happen? Industry experts aren't sure yet, since manufacturers are keeping detailed information confidential. However, it appears that the occurrences may be accidental, taking place in the final stages of production after the electronics come off Chinese assembly lines. For instance, if employees unwittingly use their own infected devices with a computer at the plant and the same computer is used later to test electronics, those newly made products could become contaminated.

You can protect against most factory-loaded viruses on electronics by running an antivirus program on your computer and keeping it up to date. This software checks for known viruses and suspicious behaviors that indicate an attack by malicious code, whether from a download or a gadget attached to your computer. For additional information on how to protect your computer, visit www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/default.mspx.

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Ask Comporium

This month's question comes from Comporium Internet subscriber Jo Ann C.

Question: Our wireless connection on our "main" computer receives an immediate signal or connection when initiated. But other wireless computers in our home are never connected as easily. It takes approximately 5 or 6 tries to make a connection. Is there anything we can do to increase the ease of connectivity?

Answer: There are several things you can do to increase the performance of your wireless network.

Reduce interference. More than likely, your router operates under the 802.11g or 802.11n standards. In both cases networking devices transmit and receive wireless data in the 2.4 GHz (Gigahertz) frequency spectrum. Unfortunately, various models of cordless phones also operate in this frequency range. For maximum performance, its best to avoid phones in this range, instead purchasing phones that work in the 900 MHz (Megahertz) or 5.8 GHz range. If you already have phones that operate at this frequency, try placing the base unit for the phone as far away as possible from your wireless router. In many cases, this will help. Microwaves are also a known source of interference, so be sure to keep that wireless router out of the kitchen!
The higher, the better. Most of the wireless routers on the market today are designed to be located up off of the floor. Placing the wireless router on the floor affects the maximum broadcast range of the wireless router. If you're having coverage problems, try putting the router on a desk. If your house is multiple stories, try putting the router on the second floor.
Pick the right channel. The frequency range that wireless devices operate in is divided into channels (for 802.11g/n, channels 1-11). Due to the technology, these channels actually "overlap" one another, and only channels 1, 6, and 11 are non-overlapping. Most routers come set to one of these 3 channels by default. If you are having issues with performance, it may be due to other wireless routers in close proximity to your device operating on the same channel. This can be easily diagnosed by checking for other wireless routers in the wireless connection utility installed on your computer. If others are on the same channel as yours, it would probably be a good idea to login to your wireless router and change the channel. Your router manufacturer should be able to assist in this process.
Location is key. Wireless routers designed for the home market may not always cover an entire house. If you do not want to install multiple wireless routers, be very aware of where you locate the one that you have. Try to locate it close to the places you plan on using the wireless connection the most.
Eliminate obstacles. Never place a wireless router in a cabinet, chest of drawers, behind a desk, etc. The more obstacles that a wireless has to "blast" through, the more limited the range of operation.
Orientation of the antennas. In some cases, pointing the antenna(s) in different directions can help coverage issues, but the router is designed to operate at peak performance with the antenna(s) pointing up. This applies to any wireless cards with external antennas as well.
Your wireless card. Many people address coverage issues by purchasing more expensive, higher-powered wireless routers. A wireless network is basically a two-way radio system. If one radio is weaker than the other, it can "hear" the other device but cannot "talk" to it. In some cases, the transmitter in the wireless card in your computer has a lower transmission power. In many cases, upgrading to a more powerful wireless card can help with any coverage issues.

Do you have a question about how something works or a Comporium service? If so, send them in! A question will be selected every month and will be answered in the monthly subscriber newsletter. To submit your question, send an e-mail to the Comporium E-LINKS Editor. The user who submits the selected question will receive a prize from the Comporium Prize Vault!

Phishing Messages

Over the past few weeks, you may have received an e-mail message that appeared to be from Comporium. This message requested that you reply with your Comporium.net password and gave various reasons for doing so (webmail system upgrade, etc.). Such messages are an attempt to compromise your account and steal personal information. Unfortunately, this is an issue affecting Internet Service Providers all over the world. Comporium is working with our e-mail solution vendor to prevent these messages from reaching your Inbox.

Please be assured that Comporium will NEVER ask for your password or any other personal information via e-mail. If you have responded to one of these messages and are concerned that your account may be compromised, please login to the subscriber utility portal and change your password. You may also call technical support for assistance in changing your password.

Technical Support contact information can be found by clicking here.

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Ask The Help Desk - Are Pop-ups Dangerous?

Question: The pop-ups that appear when I visit websites can definitely be annoying since they clutter up the screen. But can they pose a serious threat to my computer?

Answer: A pop-up is a small Web browser window that automatically appears on top of the website you're viewing. Most often, pop-ups display advertising from legitimate businesses. They can, however, be tied to threats such as phishing scams designed to trick you into revealing personal or financial information. If pop-ups open even when you're not surfing the Web, it could be a sign that your computer is infected with intrusive spyware or malware.

Not all pop-ups are annoying or potentially harmful. Some trusted websites use pop-ups for specific tasks and you may need to view them in order to complete the task. For example, a bill pay site or hotel reservation site may generate a pop-up with a calendar inside to assist with scheduling.

Most leading browsers have pop-up blockers turned on by default, and search engines such as Google and Yahoo include an additional pop-up blocker in their toolbars. As a user, you have the ability to enable, disable, or adjust pop-up blockers to fit your needs. Simply follow the steps in the "Short Tutorial" section below.

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Sites Of The Month - Great Sites To Check Out In July

The Road Best Traveled
http://byways.org - This summer consider making a car trip that's more about the road itself rather than the final destination. Selected roads throughout the U.S. have been designated America's Byways based on natural, historic, or cultural qualities. No two are the same, yet all reflect something uniquely American. The National Scenic Byways Program website provides maps and directions, ideas on stops to make, photos, visitor information, and links to related travel sites.

Wonderful World of Watermelon
http://www.watermelon.org - Nothing goes over better at a picnic than a big, juicy slice of watermelon. Not only is watermelon delicious, it's also versatile, nutritious, and relatively inexpensive. The National Watermelon Promotion Board website offers great recipes, tips on decorations, games and activities for kids, and suggestions on how to make watermelon part of a healthy diet.

Fight Bac!
http://fightbac.org - Keeping bacteria from spoiling your next picnic or cookout is easier than you might think. The mission of the Partnership for Food Safety Education is to educate the public about safe food handling, and they recommend following four simple steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill. Their website offers details on these bacteria prevention methods, as well as facts on the causes, symptoms, and challenges of foodborne illness.

Phoenix Mars Mission
http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu - NASA's Phoenix spacecraft landed on Mars in late May and is busy collecting data to help determine if Mars could support life, what the history of water is at the landing site, and how the Martian climate is affected by polar dynamics. Follow the progress of the fascinating Phoenix Mars Mission at this site. Read the latest news, view photos and videos of the spacecraft and its surroundings on Mars, and download materials to learn more about the science, technology, and engineering involved in space exploration.

Convenient Conversion
http://zamzar.com - Sometimes communication in the digital world requires speaking a different language. In computing terms, this often means converting files to new formats. Zamzar is a free, online file conversion service that allows you to change image, document, music, video, and other types of files into various formats. The service involves four simple steps, and converted files are sent directly to your e-mail account. This site comes in handy, for example, when you receive an e-mail attachment that you can't open with your computer's software.

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Short Tutorial - Adjusting Your Pop-up Blocker Settings

As we mentioned in the "Ask The Help Desk" section, pop-ups can sometimes be annoying or potentially dangerous and other times they can be quite useful. So how do you block unwanted pop-ups and still allow pop-ups on selected websites? Follow the steps below for your browser to adjust your pop-up blocker settings and enter your preferences.

Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Internet Explorer 7
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP SP2 Home Edition or Vista Home Premium

With Internet Explorer 7 open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" on the menu bar.
Select "Internet Options" from the drop-down menu. The Internet Options window will appear.
Select the "Privacy" tab.
In the "Pop-up Blocker" section, select the "Settings" button. The Pop-up Blocker Settings window will appear.
Here you can enter websites that you want to allow to display pop-ups by entering the website address and clicking on "Add." You can also remove previously entered websites if you no longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
Also in the Pop-up Blocker Settings window, you can select which filter level you are most comfortable with by choosing from the drop-downs in the "Filter level" section.
Click "Close" to exit.

Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Firefox 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Macintosh OS X 10.4

With Firefox 2.0 open, click your cursor arrow on "Firefox" on the menu bar.
Select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
Select the "Content" icon. The "Block pop-up windows" option should have a check mark next to it.
To change the Pop-up Blocker Preferences, select the "Exceptions" button. The Allowed Sites - Popups window will appear.
Here you can enter websites that you want to allow to display pop-ups by entering the website address and clicking on "Allow." You can also remove previously entered websites if you no longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
Click on the red circle in the upper left corner of the Allowed Sites - Popups window to exit.

Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Firefox 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP SP2 Home Edition or Vista Home Premium

With Firefox 2.0 open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" on the menu bar.
Select "Options" from the drop-down menu. The Options window will appear.
Select the "Content" icon. The "Block pop-up windows" option should have a check mark next to it.
To change the Pop-up Blocker Preferences, select the "Exceptions" button. The Allowed Sites - Popups window will appear.
Here you can enter websites that you want to allow to display pop-ups by entering the website address and clicking on "Allow." You can also remove previously entered websites if you no longer want to allow them to display pop-ups.
Click "Close" to exit.

Adjusting Pop-up Blocker Settings When Using ...
- Web Browser: Safari 3.0
- Computer Operating System: Macintosh OS X 10.4

With Safari 3.0 open, click your cursor arrow on "Safari" on the menu bar.
Select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu.
Select the "Security" icon. The "Block pop-up windows" option should have a check mark next to it.
To allow pop-ups, deselect the check box next to the "Block pop-up windows" option.
Click on the red circle in the upper left corner of the open window to exit.

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

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

e-LINKS Editor

Comporium Group
330 E. Black St.
Rock Hill, SC 29730

Rock Hill: (803)-324-9011
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Heath Springs: (803)-283-9011
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(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.)

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