EBother - Spam, Virus, Spyware, and other problems on the Information Highway.

EBother
	Spam, Virus, Spyware, predators and other problems on the Information Highway.

Spam - Fight Spam with Choicemail.
	If you run a email client like Eudora, Thunderbird, or Outlook Express you might want a Spam pre-processor like Choicemail. Choicemail normally runs on the same machine that runs your email client but you can get creative with it if you have a network.

	I run Choicemail One 3.1 here on a machine dedicated to just running Choicemail, a printer and a Time Server called Tardis. This machine runs under Windows 98-SE. It has a antivirus program and not much else. My copy of Eudora talks to Choicemail over the network here and Eudora has some anti-spam abilities also to complete the job. Eudora addresses the Choicemail on the second machine as just another pop3 server.

	You can find Choicemail here http://www.digiportal.com.

Speaking of Time -Tardis is a Great Time Server.
	If you have a network at home (or the shop), install it on one machine and configure it to query an atomic time server using the built in list. Then set it to broadcast time info to your network.

	Then install Tardis (or K9) on the other machines on your network and you'll have all machines insync to the time server your using. And all those time servers are insync so your PC's clocks will be set to the universal time system.

	You can find both Tardis and K9 here http://www.kaska.demon.co.uk/.

Virus Problems - Try several different Anti-virus programs.
	Keep them updated and never trust them completely. Virus writers are clever people and find ways around many Anti-virus programs.

	Tip: Many ISPs provide a antivirus program or suite to their clients for free. Check with them before purchasing a antivirus program

Online Predators - Money and Sex.

These are people who want something and will give you anything to get it.

Rule one - If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
Rule two - Think! Why would some poor Nigerian seek you out from all the rest of the online world to help him get his estate out of the country?
Rule three - In any transaction there's a set price. If you get a check of any sort for more than what you asked they'll probably be a request to send the extra money on to a third party. Guess what? The check probably ain't good.
Rule four - Monitor your children's activities.

Spyware - Use Spybot Search and Destroy.
	Spybot S&D seems to be the best Spybot tool .There's a resident program included that immunizes your system and helps to keep Spybots from sneaking in between actual scans.

	I can also recommend PC Tools Spyware doctor. This one will detect spyware and may even find problems the other programs might miss. You'll need to register it to remove any sptware but it's a free scan tool and works well.

Firewalls - Use one.
	At the least put a router on your system and let it firewall your machines one step off the internet. If you can afford one purchase a Barracuda Spam firewall. And finally there's a program called Zone Alarm. This all helps.

	Tip: If you have a IP phone, many IP phone adapters have a built in router. Put that adapter between the cable "modem" or DSL adapter and the rest of your home network.

Telephones
	You might save some money on the phone bill by purchasing a MagicJack. You'll need highspeed internet and I'd still keep my landline. The MagicJack isn't perfect but for $20.00 a year it's very hard to beat the price.

	Caveat: The Magic Jack needs a fairly Highspeed connection. And you'll need a fairly good, fast computer with a free USB port. Finally the MagicJack doesn't work under Windows 98. You'll need XP or better to use a Magic Jack. The computer needs to be on and running to use the Magic Jack.

	Tip: If the MagicJack seems to have "fits and jitters" check your computer for virus, spyware, or malware. Clean your registry and defrag the hard drive. Don't attempt any CPU intensive tasks while using the Magic Jack until you have a feel for what you can and can't do while talking.

	Tip: You can also use the computers speakers and mic to speak with callers instead of using a telephone plugged into the Magic Jack.

	Tip: When travelling with a computer you can take the Magic Jack with you. You'll have your phone (with your Magic Jack phone number) and free long distance calls.

Windows Registry Errors
	Windows has a habit of leaving little pieces of bad program info in the registry. These bad entries happen during software updates, moving files, and removing programs you no longer want. Also, when you edit a file, the registry often gets an entry for the temporary file location that doesn't get erased.

	Registry Repair Pro is the program I use to check my regisrties from time to time.

	You can find registry repair Pro here. http://registryrepairpro.com

Spam, Virus, Spyware, predators and other problems on the Information Highway.