Cactus TurboNet Newsletter 6/26/04

  

 

For ADSL customers and Mac users

 

      We’ve recently upgraded our network and we’ve received a new, large block of IP addresses.  For our ADSL customers, that means that your existing static IP address will be changing.  Please give Monica or Frank a call when you’re at your computer and we’ll walk you through the process.

 

      Macintosh users, even those who connect through dial-up, should make the following change:  In TCP/IP (getting there is different for different versions of the OS) change your name server (DNS) addresses from 207.13.199.1 and 207.13.199.3 to 216.98.224.1 and 216.98.224.3   This is not urgent – we will maintain the old numbers for a while – but needs to be done.  Phone us if you need help.

 

 

 

More than half of the computers we see in our service department now have one kind of problem:  They are infected with spyware or adware, viruses or worms (or all four) and cannot get on the Internet.  Before this happens to you, you’ll want to take some steps:

 

      1.  Make sure your antivirus program is up to date.  If it is not, or if you don’t have one, download, install, and use one.  We like AVG, which can be gotten from www.GRIsoft.com.  There is a version which is free to individuals.

 

      2.  Download and install at least one good spyware elimination program.  Note that most programs which say they eliminate spyware are lying.  They eliminate some spyware programs and install others.  Two that we use and trust are Spybot Search & Destroy, which has an immunization feature and can be downloaded from www.Downloads.com and Ad-Aware, which can be gotten from www.Ad-Aware.com.  Beware of look-alikes.  And when you run them, allow plenty of time, go through the tutorials, and be careful.  These programs are powerful enough to remove stuff from your computer that you really don’t want to remove.  Go slow.

 

      If you wait until you can’t get on the Internet to try to get the above programs, you’ll be in a catch-22 situation, so allocate some time this week-end and be prepared.  Our Service Department will thank you.  They can give much faster service if they’re not slowed down by avoidable problems.

 

Scanner-Proof Viruses

 

      A disturbing number of new email viruses are encrypted to get past email virus scanners.  And it works, sad to say.  Because they are encrypted, neither our virus scanner nor yours can identify them as they come into your computer.  If you get an email which says to enter a number or code to get your message (or to win a prize or to validate your address (or anything!)) don’t do it.  Even if it seems to be coming from someone you know, don’t do it unless that someone has verbally told you to expect it.

 

      Please make sure your virus checker runs periodically.  And keep it updated.  Viruses mutate daily.

 

After-hours support available - sometimes

 

      Normal business hours at Cactus are 9 to 6:30 weekdays and 10 to 5 on Saturdays.  But if you have problems outside of these hours, don’t despair.  Tony and Monica have installed an extension to the main 883-5500 number in their home.  When it’s turned on, they’ll answer.  Someone is usually (barring trips to the grocery store or movies) available to answer your questions evenings from 8 to 9, and irregularly on week-ends.  Note that there’s no guarantee at any particular time, but when they can, they want to help.