COMPUTER RESOURCES
Here you can find direct links to web sites of general use to computer users and net surfers. Just click on the link to go directly to the needed page.
Some of these sites ask you to register. In most cases there is an option allowing you to utilize their services without registering or giving personal info.
WINDOWS UPDATE
As part of your virus protection it is essential that you install all of the the "critical windows updates" from Microsoft. These are released from time to time to handle vulnerabilities in Windows that might allow viruses to esaily take over your computer. Although there is some controversy that occasionally a window update causes a new problem the consequences of not installing these updates can be much worse. Updates should be done periodically, as least once a month.
The procedure for installing an update is as follows:
1. Go Online.
2. Click the "Start" button.
3. Click "Windows Update".
4. (If you don't find this, you can just go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.)
5. The "Windows Update" Page appears in Internet Explorer
6. Click on "Product Updates"
7. "Please Wait" message box appears while update checks your computer.
8. "Select Software" page appears.
9. Examine the top category, "Critical Updates and Service Packs".
10. If an item is shown with a checkmark in front of it, Click the "Download"
button.
11. Download Checklist Page appears.
12. Click "Start Download".
13. License Agreement pop-up appears.
14. Click "Yes".
15. "Download Progress" box appears with an estimated download time.
16. Download completes and update is installed.
17. Message to "Restart Windows" appears.
18. Click "Yes".
19. Windows restarts and update is completed.
20. Repeat the procedure, looking down the page for any other critical update
items that have a checkmark in front of them.
21. You may also check over the "Recommended Updates" section and
select any that apply to you by clicking in the checkmark box. (This is optional
and not as important.)
ANTI-VIRUS LINKS
Free Online Virus
Checkups
PC World Pit Stop Free Online Computer Virus Checkup: www.pcpitstop.com/antivirus/AV.asp
Trend Micro/PC-Cillin Free Online Computer Virus Checkup: housecall.antivirus.com
Symantec/Norton Free Computer Virus Checkup: security2.norton.com/us
Panda Active-Scan Free Online Computer Virus Checkup: www.pandasoftware.com/activescan
Anti-Virus Software
Manufacturers
Symantec/Norton Antivirus Center: www.symantec.com/avcenter
McAffee Antivirus Info: www.mcafee.com/anti-virus/default.asp?
Shavlik Computer Security: www.shavlik.com/security
Sophus Anti-Virus: www.sophos.com
Kaspersky Anti-Virus: www.avp.ru
Central Command Anti-Virus: www.centralcommand.com
Datafellows F-Secure: www.datafellows.com
GRC - Gibson Research: http://grc.com
Computer Associates Vet Anti-Virus: www.vet.com.au
Virus Information
Sites
Auxiliary Computer Viruses and Virus Warnings: www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/infoserv/virus.htm
AVP Virus Encyclopedia: www.avp.ch/avpve
About Antivirus Info: antivirus.about.com
About Computer Virus Tutorial: shareware.about.com/library/weekly/aa022299.htm?terms=computer+virus+tutorial
Hoax & Urban
Myth Information Sites
About Computer Hoax Info: antivirus.about.com/cs/hoaxes
About Urban Legends and Folklore: urbanlegends.about.com
Hoaxbusters
(DOE): hoaxbusters.ciac.org
Scambusters Hoax Info: www.scambusters.org
Vmyths: www.vmyths.com
Data Fellows Hoax Warnings: datafellows.com/news/hoax.htm
Computer Checks
PC Pitstop (PC World) Free Computer Health Checkup: www.pcpitstop.com
OTHER INTERNET RESOURCES
Free E-mail
NetAddress - Free online e-mail (usa.net): www.netaddress.com
AmexMail - Free online e-mail & free Forwarding for customers (usa.net):
www.amexmail.com
Yahoo Free online e-mail and free forwarding: mail.yahoo.com
Hotmail - Free online e-mail: www.hotmail.com
Onbox - Free e-mail, voice mail, fax & free forwarding: http://www.onebox.com
email.com: www.email.com
mail.com; www.mail.com
Free Internet Access
Juno (United Online) - Free internet access: www.juno.com
Netzero (United Online) - Free internet access: www.netzero.net
Inexpensive Internet
Access
cnet Guide to Internet Access Providers: www.cnet.com/internet
Kmart Bluelight Internet Service: isp2.bluelight.com
Adobe Acrobat
(Click on icon.)
Disclaimer: Links from this page to non-Coast
Guard sites are provided as a customer service and do not represent any implicit
or explicit endorsement by the United States Coast Guard of any commercial or
private issues or products presented there.
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