Welcome to High Speed internet service provided by ComSouth Teleservices.  While it is true that the information super highway has changed our lives in so many ways, there are still some basic things that need to be kept in mind while surfing the internet.  First and foremost your computer must be up to date with a current Virus protection.  Firewall protection is suggested but not required for all systems.  Due to obsolescence we do not support any Windows based PC’s with operating systems older than Windows XP on them.  The current Windows environment systems include the Vista family.   There is very limited support available for other operating systems other than Vista & XP.

 Depending on how your High Speed service is delivered here are a few tips:

 

Below covers 6 items that should be considered when using the internet.  Far too often people are getting onto the Information Super Highway before they know how to drive and while not physically injuring anyone they may cause some undesired results including but not limited to:  Identity theft, system problems and crashes.  Please read over the items and if you have the need for our Computer Services division to provide these services for you please feel free to call for an appointment. 

1. Virus protection:  There is no reason to be on the internet without protection.  As of 2002 there were 71,000 known virus’ and growing at a rate of 3 a day. 
   For information on Virus’: http://www.securitystats.com/virusstats.html  The top 3 retail version are: McAfee, Norton, and Trend Micro, there are also some FREE or trial versions out there:  AVG, Avast, Zone Alarm.

2. Windows Updates:  Even a brand new machine needs a large number of updates.  If you are coming from Dial-up there is no way you could get many of these critical updates.  Before surfing at the very least update the recommended windows updates.

3. Spyware protection: Many virus protection software also include protection from this growing problem as do many of the Windows Updates address the security holes associated.  I like 2 free removal tools:  Spybot Search & Destroy and the Anti-Spy included on Yahoo’s toolbar.  Be cautious when picking a product that is offered for free, there are a number of them out there that cause more problems than good. 

4. Phishing:  Is a term used for E-Mail that is not what it looks or reads like and does not come from who you think it is.  Often time they appear to come from a bank, E-bay, PayPal, etc.  They look official and want you to log in from a link in the E-Mail in hopes that you share user names and passwords that they will harvest and steal your identity.  Best rule of thumb here is to type in the address yourself if you have any doubt as to its authenticity.

5. Housekeeping:  Internet Explorer and other browsers keep a tremendous amount of data on your PC and build with every new web site visited.   For the most part these files can be deleted in the program or by the use of “Disk Cleanup” located in the accessory section under Windows Programs.  There are a number of 3^rd party programs out there but be suspicious of free ones that promise to clean the registry.  That may go back to the spyware problems addressed earlier.

6. Firewall:  Windows has a reasonable software firewall built in.  And as with other 3^rd party software they often get turned off or opened with so many holes they are not effective.  I look at software firewall solutions like a dead bolt on your door to your home, and a hardware firewall like a ten foot fence in your front yard.  Many of today’s Virus protection offer “Firewall” protection included in the product, I would steer clear of these products.  This is the number one reason people cannot get their machines on the internet.  Either the customer becomes confused as to what to block or the software fails and locks the computer from having access to the network.  Hardware firewalls are inexpensive and really offer the level of protection you need.  We recommend “linksys” because of product consistency as well as they are owned by “Cisco” a trusted name in the internet.  Testing your firewall can be done at:  www.grc.com and look for the “Shields Up” section on his site.