http://member.apcug.org/wac/spriggs/ws0009.html last modified on 29 October 2000

Spriggs' Web Sites for September 2000

Copyright 2000 by Washington Area Commodore User Group and Lucian Spriggs

1. http://www.mollymail.com/email.fcgi MollyMail - Check your existing e-mail from anywhere! You can also delete messages from input queue. This is a much faster program than "mail2web.com" I listed in a previous column.

2. Clean System Directory will scan your system to identify those dll's which are not used by any program, but exist in your system. Freeware, Ver. 1.6, clsysd.zip is 72 kb. http://www.ozemail.com.au/~kevsol/sware.html Kevin Solway lists dozens of free programs here.

3. GuruNet has answers to your many questions! http://www.guru.net/ You can Alt/click on any word or expression on a web page for an explanation. The program works whenever you are online, and best of all, it's free!

4. Are all your software programs up to date with the latest version levels? ZDNet provides a service to scan your computer and tell you what updates you can download (for free!). Visit http://updates.zdnet.com and register your computer. Use 4.x+ or 5.0 browser.

5. Are you concerned about Internet Security? Sign up for the free Symantec Enterprise Security Newsletter (monthly) at: http://www.symantec.com/

6. Symantec offers the Norton Internet Security Software set of Security Tools, for $79.95. It will shut the door on Hackers! To discover the holes in your own computer system security, visit: http://symantec.com/scanme    You must use Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01+. To analyze all files for virus, a special virus check program is downloaded. For my Gateway 400, there were 22217 files scanned, and the scan took about 20 minutes.

7. How would you like to build a "virtual" fish, then let it swim in your own tank with other predator fishes. Through the courtesy of the Museum of Science in Boston, you can. You must register, also download "ShockWave". http://www.virtualfishtank.com

8. ZixMail Protects Your Internet Communications, 4 Meg DownLoad, free: http://www.zixmail.com    E-Mail Security is a primary concern!

9. Visit Maptech to view over 45,000 Maps and Charts. http://www.maptech.com

10. For a fast and thorough "search" engine, go to: http://www.google.com/. This is the search engine used at the Yahoo site.

    Computer Security Issues

11. If you have any doubt about the need for a protective firewall, go to Steve Gibson's Web site at http://www.grc.com. Click on "Shields Up" and you might be surprised at the vulnerability of your system to hackers. Then click on "Probe my Ports" for extra details. You might decide that you need a firewall program.

12. Zone Alarm was included on the August WAC Disk of the Month (DOM). It can be registered free for personal use. It can be downloaded at: http://www.zonelabs.com

13. You can download the Sybergen Secure Desktop, free for personal use at: http://www.sybergen.com You must register to receive the code to enable use of the program. The download size of ssd.exe is 2.9 mb.

PostScript: After you have chosen, and installed the FireWall Program of your choice, consider checking your system for vulnerability as follows: You must use Microsoft I.E. 4.*+ browser, not Netscape. Go to: http://www.symantec.com/scanme/

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