• Make sure you have the most recent virus definitions. It's recommended by Symantec, to run a Live Update at least once per week, or preferably once a day (SARC update's virus definitions in response to new virus threats).

• Obtain Microsoft security updates (on a regular basis). 

• Back up your data frequently. 

• Scan all new software before you install it, because boot sector viruses spread by floppy disks and bootable CD's, every floppy disk and CD should be scanned for viruses.  Shrink-wrapped software, demo disks from suppliers, and trial software are not exempt from this rule.  Viruses have been found even on retail software. 

• Do not set your e-mail program to "auto-run" attachments.

• Be suspicious of e-mail attachments from unknown sources.  E-mail attachments are a major source of virus infections.  Verify that attachments have been sent by the author of the e-mail.  Newer viruses can send e-mail messages that appear to be from people you know. 

• Enable E-mail Protection, which will scan e-mail attachments, before the e-mail message is sent to your e-mail .

• Scan all media that someone else has given you.

• Do not leave a floppy disk in the floppy disk drive, when you shut down or restart the computer.

• Write-protect your floppy disks, after you have finished writing to them.

For more information on virus protection, visit Symantec's site at http://www.symantec.com

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 "I can't connect" - why?
If you leave your computer on for extended periods of time without any activity and you can not make a connection to the Internet, you may need to "refresh" your computer.  Go to your Start Menu at the lower left hand side of the computer and select "Shut Down" - at this point the computer will give you several different options - select "Restart."  At this time, your computer will go through the options of "Shutting Down" and "Restarting" itself.  When the computer is finished rebooting itself, you may try to log in again.  If the problem persists, please contact the office!

 Dialup Internet Access Users
Please Note: With the change of seasons, you may notice a difference with the speed or stability of your Internet connection, due to weather degrading the signal on a phone line.  If so, contact CVC Internet for the alternative connection number for your account.  **CVC Internet is not responsible for the quality or repair of phone lines.  If you are having a problem with your phone line, please contact your phone carrier.

In addition to weather affecting dialup connections, there are some other variables that affect the way modems communicate with each other:

• The clarity of your phone line. The signal on an phone line can be degraded as a result of weather, the distance between your home and the phone company’s switching equipment, electrical interference, or anything else that affects the transmission of electrical interference, or anything else that affects the transmission of electrical impulses along copper wire. If you hear static on the line when you attach a regular phone, it is a sure sign that you have noisy line, but the lack of static is not proof that your phone line is clear enough to establish a high speed connection. In some parts of the country, customers can have the local phone company "condition" the line to ensure that the phone line is performing optimally, but even that is no guarantee, if your home is a long distance call from the phone company’s switching equipment.
  

• You may have a defective jack. Try plugging your modem into a different phone jack in your home.

• The compatibility of the two modems. Despite the fact that modems communicate according to standardized protocols, modem manufacturers implement those protocols differently. Consequently, a modem manufactured by one company may not communicate well with a modem manufactured by a competitor. To increase the likelihood that your modem is performing optimally, make sure that you have the latest modem drivers installed and are using the right modem initialization string.
  

• The configuration of your TCP/IP software. Your TCP/IP software tells your computer how to communicate with your modem. If it is configured incorrectly, it will produce errors that will degrade the stability of your connection.
  

• How well your TCP/IP software loaded into the system at start-up. Sometimes the quality of a connection can be improved simply by restarting your computer. Chronic problems with your TCP/IP software, however, may be rectified by uninstalling and reinstalling the TCP/IP system software.

• Additional telephony devices (fax, phones, answering machines, splitters, etc.) may be producing interference on the phone line, even if they’re in a different room. Try disconnecting them and trying to establish a connection again.

 FREE ONLINE TUTORIALS
Microsoft is now offering free classes on how to use Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, and several other programs.  If you would like to get more out of your browser or operating system visit www.microsoft.com/insider/learning/lessons.asp

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 keeping track of your favorites list
Follow these simple steps to organize your Favorites list in Internet Explorer:

• Click on Favorites and select "Organize Favorites".

• You can create new folders to organize your Favorites by useful names such as "reference" or "e-greetings".

• To make things easier for sorting into your new folders, right click anywhere in the Favorites menu, and select "Sort by Name" and this will sort your favorites alphabetically.

• To move your list of favorites into the folders, click on the link you want to move, select the link you want to move, click on "Move to Folder" and select the folder you want the link put into.

 RESET DEFAULT SETTINGS IN INTERNET EXPLORER
After you have made a lot of changes to Internet Explorer (such as customized home page or preferences) the program may not continue to work properly.  If you have no idea which tweak caused the problem, you may need to back up to square one and start over.  To restore your browser to the default settings, select Internet Options from the Tools menu, then click on the Programs tab and the Reset Web Settings button.  This will reset your browser back to its original setting.

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 RESUME YOUR DOWNLOAD AFTER A DISCONNECTION
If your modem connection breaks during a download or if a download times out, sometimes the download window will remain open.  If you leave that window open, reconnect to the Internet, and start downloading the file again, Internet Explorer will resume the download where it left off.

If your window does not remain open, try downloading a Download Manager .  Several of these programs are free, some are only free to try.  Please check out the programs and choose one that suits your needs.

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 Searching and Navigating in Internet Explorer
Here is an article on how to use Internet Explorer as a Search Engine as well as a browser.  Learn how to navigate and search the web at the same time without using a "standard" Search Engine.  For more information click here:  Search & Navigate IE

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 STOPPING POP UP ADS
There are several programs available to download to help stop annoying pop up ads.  To see which program would best fit your needs follow these links:

http://download.com.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=pop+up+killers&tg=dl-20

If you are having problems with the program, please contact the software company.

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 STOPPING JERKY BROWSING
Occasionally, long Web pages load slowly or jerkily.  To iron out your browsing, simply select Internet Options from the Tools menu.  From the Advanced tab listed under Browsing options, select the box labeled Use Smooth Scrolling.  Click OK to save changes.  Now your pages should scroll without hitches or hiccups.

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 STOPPING TIMED DISCONNECTS IN WINDOWS ME
Windows ME has a special setting in the Dial Up Networking that will automatically disconnect you from the Internet after about 20 minutes.  To adjust this setting, follow these steps:

• Click on Start, choose Settings and then Control Panel

• Double click on Dial Up Networking 

• In the Dial-Up Networking window, single right click on your CVC Internet icon and choose Properties

• Click on the Dialing tab and unmark Enable idle disconnect and unmark disconnect when connection may not be needed.

This should stop any timed disconnects you may be experiencing.  If not, please call the office during business hours to have your settings checked. 

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 QUICK TIP TO CHANGE ADDRESS LOCATION WHILE SURFING
If you know the address on the Internet you want to go to and don't want to drag your mouse to the top of the screen, simply press your F6 key on the top of your keyboard.  This allows you to quickly type in the address of the website you want to go to without dragging your mouse.  Enjoy surfing like the pros!

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 TURN OFF THE TOOLBAR FOR IMAGES IN INTERNET EXPLORER 6
Turning off the "strange" little toolbar that pops up when your mouse hovers over an image is quick and easy.  Open Internet Explorer, click on Tools in the upper right hand corner, select Internet Options.  In the Internet Options window, click on the Advanced tab.  In this window, scroll down to find "Multimedia" and uncheck Enable Image Toolbar.  Click Apply and OK - if you are asked to restart your system, please do so.

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