The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group In the Hot Seat Dave Botherway daveb@melbpc.org.au |
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March-and the Bush Fire Season Behind Us?
After the disastrous fires in Canberra and the high country 12 months ago, it is good to know that this year we are nearing the end of the danger period relatively unscathed. The generally lower summer temperatures have been good not only to our bush land but also to our Internet services, where high temperatures can
over-stress air conditioning services. Instead, this year, our Internet stress has come from Spam and virus analysis.
Spam
Last month I mentioned a new Internet service the group was piloting, enabling members to personalise settings for controlling incoming Spam. This facility has now been officially launched (see Dennis Parsons' article on page 18 for details), and there will be a demonstration at our March monthly meeting. I believe the functionality is world class, and initial reactions from members now using these new controls have been ecstatic.
However, it requires considerably more Melb PC computing power and our server capacity has been upgraded to handle the initial onslaught. The load is being carefully watched to see if further upgrades are needed. Naturally the more positive feedback we get from members as to how they view this function, the easier it is for your Committee to justify more expenditure.
The "MyDoom" Virus
On 27 January, the MyDoom virus was unleashed - multiplying a thousand times per minute to become the fastest spreading virus yet known. We are always reminding members to use virus scanners on their PCs and to regularly update them. For some people, regular means daily and/or before every e-mail download. For our Melb PC servers it took about 12 hours to get the appropriate update and from then on, the Melb PC servers were providing front line protection. At peak we were deflecting thousands of contaminated e-mails per hour. Others on less vigilant ISPs had problems for days, some still continuing.
Yet Another Banking Scam
Last month I mentioned the scam asking us to confirm our banking details. This month it's slightly different, they're offering a service for people changing their bank accounts - to help them change any associated direct credits or direct debits. This time one of the underlying hidden URLs is www.westpack.biz - not immediately obvious to the uninitiated.
I was intrigued by their last clause "before closing your old account, you may want to leave some money in it for a short period of time, to cover payments that might be still going through" in other words, "Please leave some funds for us to cream".
We need to be constantly vigilant for these people hell bent on separating us from our hard earned dollars - and as computer "experts", to advise our friends and neighbours of these traps.
Committee Activities
Two key topics currently taking a lot of Committee effort are a possible shift of our Dorcas St. facilities to the South Eastern suburbs, and how we as an ISP can offer ADSL functionality. I would hope to have some specific details available in next month's newsletter.
Now that the Pharmacy College in Royal Parade is no longer available to us, we have been looking for an alternative. Our May meeting is to be held in the North Melbourne Town Hall. Future use will depend on both how well these facilities meet our needs, and the number that attend. To our Western suburbs members, this is your chance to show your support for meetings in this area.
March Monthly Meeting
Our March General meeting is Wednesday 3 March 2004, 7:00 sharp at the Besen Centre (Mount Scopus College), 87 Station Street, Burwood. There is plenty of secure parking, it costs just $2 for the night.
Topics will be:
- The exciting iPod - now playing on your PC!
- Spam Assassin - setting your personal parameters
- The brand new WordPerfect Office 12
Reprinted from the March 2004 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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