IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU HAVE A VIRUS OR IF YOU HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY SCANNED YOUR DRIVES FOR VIRUSES LATELY... THEN THE NEXT SUGGESTION IS FOR YOU.
Free Virus scan.
Trend Micro, more commonly referred to as Housecall, offers free virus scans and in most cases can fix damage down by a virus or worm that your computer may have contacted.  The program works well.  The first time one uses the free program it is necessary to download a small program. Trend Micro walks you through the process.   Then the virus scans are quite simple for each return.  You should disable any anti virus program that you have running.  If you do not have a virus program I recommend that you use this program first and then download one of the free programs listed above of install any anti virus program you have purchased.
Go to http://housecall.antivirus.com/ then choose the link   "Scan without registering".  Follow the directions.

Free Virus programs to download Quite a few KCnet members use these programs and like them.
Be careful if you download a virus program and you already have one installed on your computer.  You need to at least disable the program already installed.
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
Another good free program to take a look at is:
http://www.free-av.com/

Here are some computer virus tidbits direct from Uncle Bill at Microsoft:
Definitions
* Virus: A program that attaches itself to a "host" program, and can cause damage to hardware, software, and files.
* Worm: A stand-alone, self replicating program that invades computers and consumes memory, thus causing a computer to crash.
* Trojan horse: A computer program that appears to be useful but conceals an unexpected function, which is typically damaging.
Vectors of Infection The pathways used to spread a virus include:
* E-mail attachments through Outlook Express and Outlook.
* Web based e-mail, such as Hotmail.
* File and network shares.
* Visits to malicious Web sites.
* Downloads of untrusted code or software programs from unknown or untrusted sites.
More good info is available at:  http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/remedies_viruses.asp
Topics covered include:
Remedies for Virus Relief
How Do I Know If a Virus Alert is Genuine?
How Do I Know If I Have It?
How Do I Get Rid of It?
How Do I Know It's Gone?
How Do I Help Protect My Computer from Viruses?
 

Varieties of the Klez worm, particularly Klez H  From Trend Micro
Virus type: Worm
Destructive: Yes
Aliases: W32/Klez-G, I-Worm.Klez.h, I-Worm.W32/Klez.gen@MM, W32.Klez.H@mm
Description:
This memory-resident variant of the WORM_KLEZ. A mass-mailing worm uses SMTP to propagate via email. Its email messages arrive with randomly selected subjects chosen from a list. It also spoofs its emails such that email messages from this worm appear to have been sent by certain email accounts, including accounts that are not infected.
Upon execution, it drops files and creates an entry in the AutoRun key of the system registry and then infects .EXE files. It encrypts (compresses) its target files and then modifies the file extension of these with a random name. It also sets the attributes of its encrypted files to Read-only, Hidden, System, and Archive. Thereafter, this worm copies itself to the original file name of the infected file.
This worm makes sure that its file size is the same as that of the infected file. To do this, it pads garbage data at the end of the infected file. It does not perform its antivirus retaliation routine on machines running Windows NT 4.0 or lower. Windows NT 4.0 or lower do not have system functions or the Application Program Interface (API) that this worm uses to kill antivirus-related processes.
To Do:
Download the latest patches available
This worm uses a vulnerability in HTTP-based email clients such as, Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express. Click the following links to download the latest patches available:
    * Update to Internet Explorer 5.01 SP2
    * Update to IE 5.5 SP2
    * Update to IE 6.0

10 Most Prevalent Viruses    Surveyed by Trend Micro US (week of: June 23 to June 29, 2003)
note:  The terrible Klez Virus has returned to the top ten.  It only took a week off since last December.   (MLF)
   1.  JS_EXCEPTION.GEN
   2.  PE_BUGBEAR.B-O
   3.  WORM_SOBIG.E
   4.  TROJ_WDIALUPD.A
   5.  WORM_KLEZ.H
   6.  WORM_SPYBOT.GEN
   7.  WORM_SDDROP.C
   8.  WORM_BUGBEAR.A
   9.  TROJ_CHECKIN.B
  10. BAT_SPYBOT.A

Tried and Untrue Viruses
Believe it or not, the amount of harm done by sending false computer virus alarms to your thousand closest friends can be just as damaging as the alleged virus (if it even exists!); if you remember the story of the boy who cried wolf, you understand why.
If you think you've got the scoop on the latest new devastating virus, check it out at the Web sites below before taking it on yourself to alert the world.  If the virus is as terrible as you think it is, odds are the virus fighters already know about it and -- good news here!  -- your antivirus software provider probably knows about it too and already has an update for it.
Here are a few sites of many that can help you determine if an email is a hoax or real.
http://www.snopes.com/
http://www.urbanlegends.com/ulz/
http://www.snopes.com/
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HBHoaxIndex.html
http://vil.nai.com/VIL/hoaxes.asp
http://kumite.com/myths/
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/hoax.html
http://www.scambusters.org/VirusHoaxes.html
 

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING:
The name of the computer operating system 'UNIX' stands for UNiplexed Information and Computing System?

Use A New Browser Window  This one for Outlook Express Users.  Thanks to Worldstart.
Know what I hate? Anchovies on my pizza and recycled browser windows. You don't know what a recycled browser window is you say? Let's illustrate this idea with an example.
You have a web page open that you're checking out. An e-mail comes in and you decide to switch to your e-mail program. As you check out the new e-mail, you see a friend has sent you a link to a cool web page. So, you click the link and it loads in place of the page you were originally looking at. You catch yourself yelling, "Hey, stop! I was lookin' at that!"
Sure, you can always hit your Back button to go back to your original page, but wouldn't it be nicer if the e-mail link would just open up in a new window?
Good news- it can with just a couple of clicks of your mouse!
1. Open up Explorer and select the Tools menu, Internet Options.
2. Under the Advanced tab, look for the Browsing section. Now, look for a check box labeled "Reuse windows for launching shortcuts". Uncheck that puppy and you're all set.

Oh, here's a note - If you're using a pre 5.0 version of Explorer, you're looking to check (not uncheck) a checkbox labeled "Browse in a new process". I know, it's cryptic, but that's what it's called.
Also, your Internet Options on older versions of Explorer may be under the view menu. I don't remember for sure...

Another good tip from Worldstart
 Help! I created a document in MS Word, but now Word doesn't "see" it anymore. I can go to My Computer, look in the My Documents folder, and it's there. However, when I try to open it in Word, I can't seem to find it - or any other word document for that matter. What's going on?
My guess? It's a filter problem.
No, not the kind of filter you use for e-mail or to keep your fish tank clean. This is a file filter.
When you select "Open" and that little dialog box comes up, check the drop box called "Files of type" (toward the bottom). It's my guess that you have something other than Word documents selected. To remedy the situation, just select "Word Documents (*.doc)" from the drop down menu.

You should now see all your Word documents, including the missing file.
OK, so why have all the filter stuff in the first place? Why not just show all the files in a folder?
The primary reason for filters in most programs is so you're not trying to open unsupported formats. Good thing too, I remember one time when I forced a jpeg to open in Notepad. Whew, not a pretty site. I still shudder when I think about it.
Anyhow, the really cool thing about filters is you can use them to select only the type of file you're looking for.
For example, let's say I have 300 files in the My Documents folder and they're an equal mix of word documents, text files, pictures, and html files. Now, if I know that the file I want to open is a text file, I can set the filter in MS Word (or any other word processor) to show me only text files. Now, instead of searching through 300 files, I only have to search through 75.
See? Filters aren't just for fish tanks anymore.

This is a rerun by popular request.  This particular description appeared in a recent Kim Komando Newsletter.  We, the Advanced Class, explored this procedure a number of weeks ago.  We had complaints from Outlook Express users that "all of a sudden" my mail will not open attachments.  We discovered, after many questions that the users had recently upgraded their email with a security patch from Microsoft.  This patch shut off the ability of Outlook Express to open attachments.  Thus a ground swell of complainiing.  We were not seeing those candids of our family members that are sent via email.
And now to Kim about this subject.
SOME ATTACHMENTS ARE DANGEROUS, BUT DON'T REJECT ALL
Outlook Express is the e-mail program in Internet Explorer.  Its features are regularly attacked by virus writers, because it is so very widely used.  To protect customers, Microsoft allows them to reject all attachments.
But most  want to receive the attachments.  So here's how you do that: Click <Tools> <Options>.  Select the Security tab.  Uncheck the box next to "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus."
In case you want to learn more about how Outlook Express handles Attachments and other options, drop by the link:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=291387

Hey!   I know there is a lot of Kim in this Newsletter but this next one is so good I just had include it. (MLF)
COMMON E-MAIL MISTAKES Billions of e-mail messages travel throughout the Internet every day.
Here are six easily avoidable e-mail mistakes.
1.  Writing too much The whole purpose of e-mail is brevity.  If you want to write a letter, then write a letter.  A long e-mail just encourages the recipient to skim it or worse, not read it at all.  If what you have to say is really that complicated, you should probably pick up the telephone.
2.  Using sarcasm Try to look at your e-mail from the recipient's point of view.  What may be acceptable in a face-to-face conversation does not always translate well in written form.  The recipient can't see your body language.
That's why some people use emoticons.  They are the Internet equivalent of body language.  For instance, use a smiley face with a colon, hyphen and close-parentheses mark :-).  Or, there's the sad face with the open parenthesis mark :-(.
Avoid using emoticons in business e-mail.  But if you must, don't overuse them.  They interrupt the flow of words.  One or two should do the trick.  There is a list of emoticons on my site:
http://www.komando.com/emoticons
3.  Expressing anger Most people use care when selecting words when they speak with another.  E-mail makes it easier to forget yourself.  If you're really angry, a 24-hour wait might be in order.  Remember: Once you send it, you can't get it back.  And there's no body language to lighten the impact of your words.  If they sound harsh, they will be taken that way.
Capital letters just drive your anger home.  Using all capital letters is considered yelling in the e-mail world.  Save it for good news.  They may still irritate your recipients, but they shouldn't alienate them.
4.  Forwarding junk Don't forward virus warnings and urban legends.  They are invariably hoaxes.  These things are usually characterized by a vague reference to a news report months ago.  And they always admonish you to forward the warning to everyone you know.
The anti-virus companies watch closely for new viruses.  They immediately build antidotes into their software updates.  Assuming the warning is not a hoax (it almost certainly is), an antidote would have been developed ages ago.
Same goes for urban legends.  Bill Gates giving away money.  Poodles in microwaves.  Needles in movie theater seats.  Busy people will not appreciate getting this stuff from you.
You can always check virus warnings and urban legends on the Internet.   (See site suggestions for scam and Hoax checking above in this newsletter. MLF)
5.  Moving too quickly Careless grammar and misspellings will undermine the most important message.  Sure, you're in a hurry.  But if your recipient has to e-mail you for a clarification, you'll end up wasting a lot of time.
Take the time to be sure that any attachments are actually attached.
And be sure you're sending the e-mail to the correct person.  If you're writing to someone about a third party, don't send the e-mail to the third party.  That's easy to do, and can be very embarrassing.
6.  Falsifying the return address If you're sending something unpleasant, don't bother using a false return address.  The e-mail can be traced back to your Internet service provider or even, your own computer.  It's all in the e-mail header.
All major e-mail programs can display header information.  Here's how to see the headers of an e-mail:
In America Online, click the Details button.
In Microsoft Outlook, click View and Options.
In Microsoft Outlook Express, click File, Properties and the Details tab.
In Eudora, click the Blah Blah button.
In Netscape, click View and Message Source.
The sender's revealing information begin with "Received:."
The originating computer is in the bottom "Received:."
That section will have an Internet Protocol (IP) number, such as
124.213.45.11.  While the IP number is probably assigned to the sender's Internet service provider, the ISP will be able to identify the sender using that number.
Remember the header if you're tempted to send an anonymous e-mail.
You are less anonymous than you think.

INTERESTING SITES :
DOES UNCLE SAM HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU?  Kim Komando suggests this site.
The government has a myriad of programs.  You may well be eligible for something and not know it.  You can get an idea at GovBenefits.gov.
This site asks you to select from 18 categories (veteran, homeowner, etc.).  It then has you fill out a questionnaire, which is followed by a second questionnaire (sigh!).  Based on the questionnaires, you are given a list of services for which you may be eligible.  There are no guarantees.  But you will know what to request.  The site is here:
http://www.govbenefits.gov/jsp/GovBenefits.jsp

Household Express  Thanks to Amanda
Household Express has thousands of links that are useful and informative. From Budgeting to Health to Shopping—you'll find it all here. The coupon section is my favorite—both online and offline, when you need to pinch pennies they are great. Just print them out and go, or click through to the site where the product you want to buy is at.
This site is another moneysaver, you can also get good advice on tons of other topics. Check this one and you won't regret it. Oh, and as an added bonus, there are tons of cleaning tips—especially for harder to clean objects and stains.
This one is a keeper.
http://www.householdexpress.com/

WEBBY MONITOR
This free service checks for changes on any web page you like, then alerts you by email.
It works this way.  Go top the site and follow the directions.
Now anyone can automatically monitor any web page for changes. It's free!
To receive an email update when a web page changes:
Click this link to open the ChangeDetection wizard.
Enter the address of the web page you want to monitor for changes.
Enter your email address.
That's it!
Every day ChangeDetection will check to see if the web page you are monitoring has been changed. If so, you will receive an e-mail to let you know.
At any point you can turn off monitoring ("unsubscribe") by simply following the instructions in the email you receive.
This service is 100% free.
http://www.changedetection.com/monitor.html

STRUM THAT GIT-TAR  This is interesting and includes a number of opportunities.
Another real-life gizmo HTMLized for the web!
http://www.sporkfly.com/theflashguitar.html

Extreme Science  Another good one from Amanda.
With a slogan like "Feed your Brain", who can resist this site? Not me, that's for certain.
Check out the Time Portal, Weather, Space, Creature World, Earth Science, and their Free Stuff section. Better yet, there is a Young Scientist gallery section for those rambunctious kids you have running around all summer.
Streamlined and extremely well put together, this site is charming and full of education and interesting information. Find tons on interesting facts, for example: Angel Falls in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world. And don’t forget to check out the "Gallery of Extreme Scientists".
Dive in!
http://www.extremescience.com/site_map.htm
 

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