Your decision tree looks like this:
Do you want to stick with Outlook or go to something else?
I. Stick with Outlook:
Advantages:
1. You may be able to install Outlook yourself- no cost for installation. There is some risk.
2. You will have an environment that is somewhat easier to learn;
Disadvantages:
1. There will be a learning curve over the 2003 version, since the new outlook has a ribbon interface and some important functions have been moved around enough that they are hard to find- sometimes even help isn't that helpful. Tthere will be some trial and error or time spent watching the tutorials, even for he experienced Outlook user. (Maybe I should say "especially for the experienced Outlook user.)
2. The initial software cost: is over $100.
II. If you don't stick with outlook, there are a number of "free" alternatives.
Advantages:
1. No software cost
2. May actually open up additional functionality and convenience.
Disadvantages
1. Learning curve, though perhaps not as much as going from your current version of Outlook to a new version.
2. You may have to pay for installation- transferring the outlook database, contacts and calendar to the new environment. This depends on your skill and patience.
Three to mention:
1. Windows Live- the replacement to Outlook Express, has the standard function of the old Outlook.
2. Thunderbird- an opensource alternative that is highly configurable and more function than outlook... if you want to learn to use the new function. But "out-of-the-box this looks like a fancy version of 2003.
3. Google- In general, this would be a web client. However, if you want quick download and disconnect, then you would want to fire up a client on such occasions. One such situation is when you are on a cruise. Then you could use any iPad email client. Google is my choice for web email client, even if your ISP happens to be AOL or ATT. That is because it is "light:" not a lot of ads and expecially no animated ads; and it has a lot of configuration features that link with email clients and Google Desktop.
III. Not worry about synching to your outlook database at all.
Assuming you have an iPad email client, create the POP3 account for ATT, the same way you did for Outlook. Upload your contacts list to ATT on occasion to keep it recent. Download it to your iPad email client. Then turn it on.
Note that both your Outlook and your iPad email client would be set to delete from the ATT database only when the Delete folder contents are deleted. This would keep the two clients somewhat in synch. (This assumes the iPad email client has this capability.)
I've read something about the standard iPad email client: http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-help/17767-email-options.html. You might read through that and maybe another client would be better for you. In fact, Thunderbird- option 2 above- is one of those, leaving me with the thought of good fung shui, since both clients are the same.
I haven't followed through on what goodies Thunderbird offers for synching multiple instances of the database. Usually someone will develop a utility for this. But synching email isn't necessary when the clients are configured to leave on the server and then delete when the delete folder is emptied. Synching contacts can be an issue, but this can be overcome with a web client like google, which can be considered the golden source, and the client synchs to that source when downloading. (Possibly you would have to start this process manually, depending on the capabilities of the client.)
OK, so assuming you go with an Outlook upgrade:
1. You can get Outlook separately or as part of the Office Pro package. Always get the latest version.
2. There are three on-line places to shop around here, in addition to just typing "Outlook 2010 2011 prices" as a search phrase. These are: Microsoft Store, Amazon, and Costco. Don't expect the prices to vary more than 15%. Sometimes Microsoft will have a special one day deal, like the time I was able to get a Dell Netbook free with the purchase of an Office Pro license.
3. Always do the download, if available, AND get a DVD. The latter is important when trying to recover from a crash or transferring to a new machine.
4. There are two configurations to every Office deal: a card and the full package. The card is a license for only 1 machine. It is often somewhat less expensive. The other is a license for 3 machines. If it needs to be installed on more than 3 machines, then consult Microsoft small business for price options.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Where's your cordless phone?
Having trouble with your wireless keyboard and mouse? How about your wireless reception? If you have placed your cordless phone- even just the handset- between your router and any receiving wireless device or between your mouse or keyboard and the wireless transmitter, then you will experience communication problems. These include unexplained wireless "drops" and "low signal" notices from your wireless receiver. So, where's your cordless phone today?
Friday, May 13, 2011
How Can My Contacts Be Stolen and Used for Spamming When They Are Only Stored on My ATT web email Account?
This is, to me, a question that must be answered by any ATT. On their main support site they provide the following information.
To me this does not answer the root cause question- how did someone get the contact list from my ATT net account. (This assumes that your contacts are not on your computer.) It seems that, if I run the right anti-malware programs and find nothing, then it is ATT itself that is compromised! So… I contacted ATT and this is my dialog:
I really don’t feel comfortable with the response, because they can not describe how someone with no malware can have their contact list stolen other than to perhaps point the finger of responsibility to someone else. Assuming the spammer/hacker has obtained the password within 3 guesses is, to me, absurd!
The most likely scenario is that the hacker got to this person’s email through another computer that had a contact list on it (not on ATT).
The only other explanation is that the person was infected with a special piece of malware that, when the person is logged on to ATT, can command ATT to download the contact list. After the contact list is transferred through the firewall(s)! to the spammer, the infection complete removes itself, so not a trace is left. Remarkable!
The hacker/spammer then sends emails to everyone on that infected computer’s list, using addresses in the contact list for the from address. So… changing your password doesn’t help at all!
Comments?
My att.net email account is sending Spam to my contactsSome users have reported that their contacts received spam that originated from their att.net Mail account. If you've experienced this issue, your account has likely been compromised and was used by an unauthorized third party to send spam or fraudulent emails to your contact list. It is a strong possibility that one or more of your computers has been compromised with a virus or other malicious software, putting all your personal data at risk, including your email address and password information.AT&T Information Security Services recommends you take the following steps to recover full control of your account information: Wireless Security: If you utilize a wireless-capable connection device, please ensure that the wireless connectivity is disabled if it is not being used or that security is enabled for the wireless connection. If security is not enabled anyone within range of the device can use the connection and you as the account holder will be held responsible for any activity originating from your connection. Other considerations: Notify contacts - Use an alternate email address or another form of contact to warn your contacts not to open anything from your compromised email address. Recommend that they use updated firewall and anti-virus protection and keep all security patches updated. They should also run an anti-virus scan. Create a new email address - If you don't mind losing your email address it's best to start fresh and create a new one. You can go here to create new AT&T sub accounts. Keep records - Your email address is linked to many of your online activities. If your ID is compromised, you don't want the bad guys asking your bank to send a new user name and password to that email account. Keep track of every activity tied to your email account, and if the account is compromised, immediately notify your bank, credit card company and any other related accounts. Put online purchases on hold - You'll want to make sure your computer is virus-free before you start entering credit card numbers for online purchases. Some malicious software enables criminals to track every key stroke a computer makes. |
To me this does not answer the root cause question- how did someone get the contact list from my ATT net account. (This assumes that your contacts are not on your computer.) It seems that, if I run the right anti-malware programs and find nothing, then it is ATT itself that is compromised! So… I contacted ATT and this is my dialog:
You: I am asking this question on behalf of our entire community. Our community has been hit by spam. It seems to be originating from one person, at least the emails have the person's bellsouth email in the FROM field. The person ONLY has contacts in ATT web email; nothing on the computer. Consultant: I do apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. I'll do my very best to help. You: So, I've read what is on the ATT/Yahoo web site regarding this. I've checked the person's computer for malware using the most advanced techniques. Nothing. So, I need to tell everyone in the community (about 500 homes, almost all ATT subscribers) how this happened and what to do. How could someone get the person's contact list? Or, perhaps is it actually a spoof, with someone else's computer having the infection. I need a good explanation other than ".change password.". Consultant: I am very sorry that this is happening. I apologize for the inconvenience that this is causing. You That doesn't "feel good" to any of your subscribers. The "change password". is a syndrome fix, not a diagnosis of the problem. Consultant: It's possible that the person might have open a spam email or replay to it that's why it had the contacts or was able to access email. You I don't understand the sentence. Let me try to rephrase it. Consultant: I mean it's possible that she did open a spam email or she may have replay to a spam email. You The person is on ATT email. The person opens a spam. NOTHING gets to the person's computer, since there is no evidence of malware on it. But person responds to the spam. That gives the spammer the person's email. Is that what you are saying? Consultant: Yes, that is correct. Here's a link on how you can recognize , avoid and report spam emails. You BUT! How did they get her contact list? Consultant: pushes page,http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB400544#fbid=8i-hEC2IzAb You: OK, I read that before I contacted you. That doesn't help diagnose this problem, it only throws a bunch of potential solutions without isolating the cause. The big question: How did they get the person's contact list? Please answer. Consultant: There are some spam email that asked for the account information and if you reply to that email , it will allow the spammer to access your email and copy all your contacts or send a spam email to your contact. You The person didn't give a password. Consultant:t The spammer have there own way on accessing your account with the information that you provide. There are some spammer that even use your email address in sending the spam email. You Here is a scenario I want to pass by you as a root cause. I want you to say that this is a likely cause and then I want you to pass it on to ATT supervisor for action. On your last note about "their own way" you mean they have a password generation routine? But that doesn't make since. Don't you shut down a email account if 3 unsuccessful attempts are made? Consultant:t I suggest that you change your password and go over the link that I gave you to recognize and avoid spam emails. Yes, email are block after three attempts , if password or email address are not entered correctly. You: OK, but here's what I think and I want you to pass to your superiors. I think the email goes to the spammer and the spammer checks Facebook. I think they get the contacts from facebook through a robot that trolls unprotected facebook accounts. Consultant: You can forward the spam email that you receive to abuse&att.net so that we can check on that and block it from our server. You So... what needs to be added to your instructions is how to avoid exposing information on facebook. A link to the instructions on facebook security provided by the facebook organization, along with some words about how that exposes their email account and what actions in the instructions the user should follow should be a top priority of ATT Consultant: Yes, I'll make sure that my supervisor will be able to review this chat session and I'll be posting a note on your account regarding this issue. Yes, I'll make sure those things are noted. |
I really don’t feel comfortable with the response, because they can not describe how someone with no malware can have their contact list stolen other than to perhaps point the finger of responsibility to someone else. Assuming the spammer/hacker has obtained the password within 3 guesses is, to me, absurd!
The most likely scenario is that the hacker got to this person’s email through another computer that had a contact list on it (not on ATT).
The only other explanation is that the person was infected with a special piece of malware that, when the person is logged on to ATT, can command ATT to download the contact list. After the contact list is transferred through the firewall(s)! to the spammer, the infection complete removes itself, so not a trace is left. Remarkable!
The hacker/spammer then sends emails to everyone on that infected computer’s list, using addresses in the contact list for the from address. So… changing your password doesn’t help at all!
Comments?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A Scam for all Genealogists
.
My father recently received this email:
This is a hoax! You can google “morphcorp” and get thousands of hits similar to this one (Note that this is from 2005! They are at it again.)
My father recently received this email:
From: mpns@aol.com To: Sent: 4/20/2011 4:33:11 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time Subj: Leet Family News Update
within 15 days of receipt for a full refund. Data is about the entire Leet families in the U.S. and is mainly historical in content. Photos do not denote family member unless noted. This Newsletter contains advertisements. Copyright 2011. Morphcorp Llc 3124 S Parker RD #313 Aurora CO 80014 |
| Again ! ! ! Anybody remember Beatrice Bayley, then, Halberts, then "Your Name" Researchers? This scam has been around as long as we have been doing genealogy. Each time they are found out, they move and change names and/or someone else takes over. Isn't it sad that there are opportunists out there and enough gullible people to support them - for awhile? xxxxxxxxx Junction City, OR xxxxxxxx_ In a message dated 11/28/05 10:29:52 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, xxxxxxxx writes: My Dad received this. I don't remember which genealogical society LCGS is. I considered buying one of these books. xxxxxxxx ----- Original Message ----- From: To Sent: Monday, November 28, 2005 8:10 AM Subject: LCGS FYI Lawsuit Against Morphcorp for Fake Family Histories Bill Mahoney sends the following to share. An FYI warning was sent out earlier about these fake histories. It is nice to know something may be done about the people running this company. Let's wish Arapahoe County much success in this. THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE DENVER POST 25 Nov 2005 State Sues Genealogy Company The suit claims 150,000 people nationwide were swindled out of $49.95 each when they bought a book with fake family histories from Morphcorp of Denver. By Manny Gonzales Denver Post Staff Writer For $49.95, people who bought genealogical "yearbooks" from a Denver-based company got the same family coat of arms, the same family recipes and even the same family jokes, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday. And it was a lucrative scam that swindled 150,000 people nationwide who bought into fake family histories, according to the civil suit filed by Colorado Attorney General John Suthers. The suit, filed in Arapahoe County District Court against Maxwell MacMaster and his company, Morph corp LLC, seeks to cease the operation and penalize him up to $2,000 per book sold, which could amount to $300 million. "This is a guy who has been exploiting a natural human emotion, a curiosity about our family history . and he made a lot of money doing it," Suthers said. "People got a standard book that really reflects no individual genealogical research. The books come with a family (crest), but if your surname is Jones it would be the same (crest) used if your last name was Smith." MacMaster, who has residences listed in Denver and Kailua, Hawaii, was contacted about the suit but said he had not read the specific allegations and declined to comment. His lawyer could not be reached for comment. Aurora resident Lynette Dahl is one of 21 alleged victims in Colorado. Dahl said her family purchased a yearbook a couple of years ago in hopes of learning more about where she came from, but what she got was "generic." "They make it sound like you're going to get all this great information, but you get it and it's generic, fill-in-the-blanks stuff," Dahl, 42, said. "The book had a coat of arms for my family, supposedly. But when I opened it, immediately I could tell this was some kind of cruel joke." Dahl said that after numerous attempts to reach the company and after filing complaints of unfair business practices, she finally was refunded her money from Morphcorp. According to the suit, MacMaster advertised in magazines and sent out mailings offering a yearbook detailing "2,000 years" of family history. The suit claims MacMaster and his then-wife made various false and misleading statements in direct-mail advertising claiming that they shared the same last name of the consumer targeted by the flier. The suit also alleges that Morphcorp engaged in improper pricing practices. The company mailed out 250,000 fliers a month, the suit claims, and targeted mostly people over the age of 60. The books sold contained much of the same information, including "family jokes and recipes," and family pictures appear in each yearbook regardless of the surname of the consumer, the suit claims. There were some variations, Suthers said. For a German surname, the books contained the same German family recipes and jokes. Because jokes were the same in many of the yearbooks, some Jewish customers were offended when their families were referenced as being Catholic, the suit claims. It's the second time MacMaster has gotten into hot water for an alleged genealogy scam. In 1996 he signed an assurance as president of a company called Mountain Pacific News Service to cease operations. Suthers hopes to prove MacMaster violated the agreement, which would be another violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. The attorney general has been investigating the company for about a year, since complaints were submitted to the Better Business Bureau. "As these complaints roll in, it's almost comical how this guy would try to fool people," Suthers said. "Anyone with any sophistication almost immediately would identify the yearbook as boilerplate." |
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Important New Scareware Infects Hundreds of Thousands of Sites
Scareware is a kind of "virus" that takes over your computer and poses as an antivirus program. Often you can not do anything but push the power button to turn off your computer or click on a button that says something like "fix these problems." In the latter situation, clicking the button will install different programs on your computer that steal your identity and address book, etc. The key to easily removing the scareware is to NOT click on the button.
Anyway, this scareware is called LizaMoon. The scareware is called "Windows Stability Center." Information on the infections can be found on Computerworld. That page includes a link to a discussion of the sites that are infected. Visit the WebSense site to see how widespread this problem is.
Anyway, this scareware is called LizaMoon. The scareware is called "Windows Stability Center." Information on the infections can be found on Computerworld. That page includes a link to a discussion of the sites that are infected. Visit the WebSense site to see how widespread this problem is.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
IMPORTANT: How to avoid catching a scareware infection
Scareware is the kind of malware/virus that pretends to be a security program. It comes up and says you have an infection. It says something that persuades you to click on a button; something like "click here to remove the infections." Once you click on the button, your "hooked". The scareware completely takes over your computer. It disables your virus software. It disables registry edits. You can't bring up any function at all. Your only option appears to be to click the botton.
DON'T CLICK THE BUTTON! Not once, not ever!
Here's what you do:
Also, in general, you should have Malwarebytes installed and keep it up to date by weekly downloading its signature file. Run Malwarebytes instead of your virus software. Let it remove the package. Then run your virus software.
I can't emphasize enough that you should keep your virus software up-to-date.
As background, here is the problem. The way this scareware installs itself is to download a package that does nothing but install a command to start the scareware the next time the computer is turned on. That next time the scareware installs before the antivirus software can come up. (If you have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you might notice that the little icon at the bottom right of your screen is red for a little while after your session starts. That is the vulnerable time.) It uses the internet to complete the installation and disable your antivirus software.
DON'T CLICK THE BUTTON! Not once, not ever!
Here's what you do:
- Manually turn off your internet. Either pull your ethernet cable out and turn off your wifi using the hardware button or slider, or turn off your wifi. If you have to, pull the power on your router.
- Turn off your machine.
- Turn your machine on. With the internet disabled, you should be able to start your virus program and it will disable the scareware.
Also, in general, you should have Malwarebytes installed and keep it up to date by weekly downloading its signature file. Run Malwarebytes instead of your virus software. Let it remove the package. Then run your virus software.
I can't emphasize enough that you should keep your virus software up-to-date.
As background, here is the problem. The way this scareware installs itself is to download a package that does nothing but install a command to start the scareware the next time the computer is turned on. That next time the scareware installs before the antivirus software can come up. (If you have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you might notice that the little icon at the bottom right of your screen is red for a little while after your session starts. That is the vulnerable time.) It uses the internet to complete the installation and disable your antivirus software.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Tips and Tricks for MS Office, especially 2007 and 2010
In my experienct the number one problem casual MS Office users of have is formatting. The golden rule for successful and efficient formatting is to use styles and styles only; formatting should NOT be done by brut force, using the various formatting tools you have in your font, paragraph, etc tab group or toolbar. (The only exception might be to bold or italicize a character.)
Styles are found on your Home Tab, Styles Bar (2007 or later) or on the style toolbar (2003 or earlier). Styles have names such as Paragraph, Heading 1... through Heading 9, Bulleted List, Numbered List, etc.
There are an uncountable number of web sites providing tutorials on styles. I've listed a few below. You can find hundreds of thousands of references by googling "Microsoft Office Styles Tutorials References Cheat Sheets."
The Microsoft Office Training Site is very good; equivalent to buying one of their fat $50 books. Plus it has videos and guided tutorials.
The few links:
Styles are found on your Home Tab, Styles Bar (2007 or later) or on the style toolbar (2003 or earlier). Styles have names such as Paragraph, Heading 1... through Heading 9, Bulleted List, Numbered List, etc.
There are an uncountable number of web sites providing tutorials on styles. I've listed a few below. You can find hundreds of thousands of references by googling "Microsoft Office Styles Tutorials References Cheat Sheets."
The Microsoft Office Training Site is very good; equivalent to buying one of their fat $50 books. Plus it has videos and guided tutorials.
The few links:
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