This month's topics might keep you entertained. They are:
- 'Disappearing' Outlook Express toolbars;
- Rebate scams are out there; what do they look like?
- Avoid error messages on web log-ons
Debbie
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
February 2008
This sure has been a snowy winter. Lots of fun winter things to do if you enjoy the snow. The great news is that Daylight Savings is coming right up; March 9th this year. Wow! I think we are about through the longest part of winter.
This month's topics might keep you entertained. They are:
Debbie
This month's topics might keep you entertained. They are:
Debbie
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Outlook Express Buttons Just Disappeared?
Have your buttons ever just disappeared? I'm talking about your buttons in Outlook Express. You know, the ones that say Create Mail, Reply, Forward, Send/Receive, Delete, etc. Or, also known as the buttons you really need to be able to get through your e-mail each day.
Just right click somewhere in all of the open gray area where your buttons usually sit and choose Customize.
Then under the box that says Current Toolbars, click on the Reset button.
All of your buttons should reappear and you can then be on your way.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Rebate Scam- Beware
This is something that has been plastered all over the Web since about the last week in January (2008) and it's something every computer user should be aware of.
I'm sure most of you are aware that the United States Congress has been working on an economic stimulus package that will issue Americans tax rebate checks. And unfortunately, once the word about that spread, hackers started to take full advantage. At the end of January, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) began sending out warnings about rebate scams. They said that identity thieves are already working on using the tax rebates as a way to get personal and financial information out of people.
As of right now, it seems as if their biggest tactic is to call people on the telephone and tell them they won't receive their rebate until they provide their banking information for a direct deposit.
. You should always remember that tax agencies will never call you and ask for your information over the phone. That's just not how they work. So, if you ever receive a phone call like that, do not give out any of your information.
The IRS said the threats are coming via e-mail as well. The e-mail looks like it's coming from a tax agency and it asks you to fill out a form that is supposedly needed to receive your rebate. Of course, the form asks for all of your personal information and if you fill it out, it will be put into the wrong hands. Another version of the e-mail scam involves a notification that a person's rebate will be audited. It then asks you to click on a link to fill out the forms needed for the process, which of course, require all of your personal and bank account information. This scam is even going as far as e-mailing businesses and accountants, telling them to download information about tax law changes. Once they do that, malware is put onto their computer that gives the hacker remote access to the computer's hard drive. And that could put several peoples' information at risk. There's also another version of the telephone scam where the caller claims to be an IRS agent. They go on to tell you that you have not yet cashed your rebate check and you must confirm your bank account number before you can do so. Beware- do not fall victim to this.
Do not click on any suspicious links you may get in your e-mail and do not give out any personal information over the phone unless you're 100 percent sure it's legit. If you receive a questionable e-mail, you can always contact the IRS through this e-mail address: phishing@irs.gov as well. And as always, if you simply use your common sense, you won't run into any problems. I promise!
I'm sure most of you are aware that the United States Congress has been working on an economic stimulus package that will issue Americans tax rebate checks. And unfortunately, once the word about that spread, hackers started to take full advantage. At the end of January, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) began sending out warnings about rebate scams. They said that identity thieves are already working on using the tax rebates as a way to get personal and financial information out of people.
As of right now, it seems as if their biggest tactic is to call people on the telephone and tell them they won't receive their rebate until they provide their banking information for a direct deposit.
. You should always remember that tax agencies will never call you and ask for your information over the phone. That's just not how they work. So, if you ever receive a phone call like that, do not give out any of your information.
The IRS said the threats are coming via e-mail as well. The e-mail looks like it's coming from a tax agency and it asks you to fill out a form that is supposedly needed to receive your rebate. Of course, the form asks for all of your personal information and if you fill it out, it will be put into the wrong hands. Another version of the e-mail scam involves a notification that a person's rebate will be audited. It then asks you to click on a link to fill out the forms needed for the process, which of course, require all of your personal and bank account information. This scam is even going as far as e-mailing businesses and accountants, telling them to download information about tax law changes. Once they do that, malware is put onto their computer that gives the hacker remote access to the computer's hard drive. And that could put several peoples' information at risk. There's also another version of the telephone scam where the caller claims to be an IRS agent. They go on to tell you that you have not yet cashed your rebate check and you must confirm your bank account number before you can do so. Beware- do not fall victim to this.
Do not click on any suspicious links you may get in your e-mail and do not give out any personal information over the phone unless you're 100 percent sure it's legit. If you receive a questionable e-mail, you can always contact the IRS through this e-mail address: phishing@irs.gov as well. And as always, if you simply use your common sense, you won't run into any problems. I promise!
Web E-mail Log-In Error Messages
Do you often get errors when you're trying to log in to certain accounts, such as your e-mail account? An error message will say something like "Your password or username is invalid. Please try again." Then, when you try again, the same thing happens. How frustrating! Well, the problem actually lies within the little things you may do without even realizing it's messing up your Internet connection. Let's check it out!
Here are some dos and don'ts you can follow when you're trying to log in to your e-mail account, etc.
DON'T's
• Don't hit the Submit or Log In button more than once. Or, if you're using your keyboard, only hit the Enter key once.
• Don't touch anything else after you've clicked the Log In button or hit the Enter key on your keyboard. Just let it do its thing!
• Don't touch or move your mouse until the system has finished logging you in.
If you do, you may end up knocking out your Internet connection.
• Don't jump or switch to another screen, window or program while you're being logged in. That is a no no!
• Don't try or attempt to open any new programs or applications while you're trying to log in.
• Don't copy and paste your password or username into the text boxes.
DO'S
•Do limit the programs you have open before trying to log in. Having too many programs open at once before you log in to an account may interfere with your connection, especially if your RAM or disk space is low. Wait until you have logged in to hook up any external devices, music programs or other applications as well. If they can wait, just wait!
• Do make sure you hit the period key ( . ) on your keyboard instead of the comma key ( , ) when logging in. You should also do that with the "n" and "m" keys. For example, one of the most common mistakes is somebody@yahoo,con, which should be somebody@yahoo.com. It is a very simple mistake to make and it is sometimes hard to catch.
• Do use the drop box if your account has one for your username. That will automatically type in your username for you and it will eliminate errors.
• Do use your mouse cursor to move from field to field or text box to text box, instead of the Tab key on your keyboard. That way, you can ensure you're always filling in the correct text box.
• Do make sure your CAPS Lock key is not activated.
Most log in accounts are case sensitive as well, so it's important that you pay attention to the letters in your username and password as you're typing them in.
Following the guidelines of these dos and don'ts will surely save you time and frustration in the future!
• Don't hit the Submit or Log In button more than once. Or, if you're using your keyboard, only hit the Enter key once.
• Don't touch anything else after you've clicked the Log In button or hit the Enter key on your keyboard. Just let it do its thing!
• Don't touch or move your mouse until the system has finished logging you in.
If you do, you may end up knocking out your Internet connection.
• Don't jump or switch to another screen, window or program while you're being logged in. That is a no no!
• Don't try or attempt to open any new programs or applications while you're trying to log in.
• Don't copy and paste your password or username into the text boxes.
DO'S
•Do limit the programs you have open before trying to log in. Having too many programs open at once before you log in to an account may interfere with your connection, especially if your RAM or disk space is low. Wait until you have logged in to hook up any external devices, music programs or other applications as well. If they can wait, just wait!
• Do make sure you hit the period key ( . ) on your keyboard instead of the comma key ( , ) when logging in. You should also do that with the "n" and "m" keys. For example, one of the most common mistakes is somebody@yahoo,con, which should be somebody@yahoo.com. It is a very simple mistake to make and it is sometimes hard to catch.
• Do use the drop box if your account has one for your username. That will automatically type in your username for you and it will eliminate errors.
• Do use your mouse cursor to move from field to field or text box to text box, instead of the Tab key on your keyboard. That way, you can ensure you're always filling in the correct text box.
• Do make sure your CAPS Lock key is not activated.
Most log in accounts are case sensitive as well, so it's important that you pay attention to the letters in your username and password as you're typing them in.
Following the guidelines of these dos and don'ts will surely save you time and frustration in the future!
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