This month I'm covering a mix of topics and hopefully there will be at least one to interest every member.

"Unlimited" Internet Hours

With changing usage and modified arrangements at Burnley, we are piloting increased time for Internet members using the 8626 5000 and 9697 4000 numbers. Already we have unlimited downloads, and would expect to offer "virtually" unlimited hours - disconnecting users only after six hours if and when congestion occurs; usually that's weekday evenings between 7.00 pm and 10.00 pm. We have already seen users logging on Friday evening, and as congestion has not occurred over the weekend, remaining connected till Monday afternoon. There is still however, a 15 minute no activity timeout.

The Greater Melbourne Number (0198 333 365) will disconnect after 200 minutes during congestion, while the Associate / Intranet number (8626 5001) will remain set at the existing 30 minutes.

E-mail Spam

One of the real problems with Spam, is just as we close up one loop the spammers find another way to bypass the E-mail protection. It's particularly bad where they forge the sender's address - attempting to trick us into opening their mail. They may have invaded someone's address book to get the address, often they just guess a likely service account.

One recent spate addressed at Melb PC members has the subject "You have successfully updated your password", supposedly sent from admin@melbpc.org.au as the Melb PC Support Team or a similar "official looking Melb PC" sender, and carrying an attachment "new-password.zip". Others have the subject of "Detected Online User Violation" with attached "email-details.zip".

Similar problem attachments have been "account-info.zip" and "instructions1.zip". Regrettably, all these zipped files contain viruses and anyone opening them without up-to-date virus protection is likely to get an infected machine.

E-mails such as these examples all have forged sender addresses, and are not from Melb PC staff. In short, be wary of any unexpected mail - especially where it has attachments or URLs inviting you to go to a specific Web site (often also forged).

Virus/Malware Protection

Because of the above problems, we cannot over-emphasise the need to have a Virus Scanner on your PC, and like the operating system, to keep it updated; weekly for those on dial-up and as often as daily for those on ADSL or cable. Two such sites to get no-charge virus protection are http://avast.com (for AVAST s/w) and http://www.free.grisoft.com (for AVG). Commercial product examples are Symantec (Norton), McAfee, Computer Associates (Cybec-Vet) and Trend Micro (PC-cillin).

Trend Micro even provides a remote check, so if in doubt, try their free service from http://housecall.trendmicro.com It will download the latest components and then take about 30 minutes to test the PC. Since it uses Microsoft Active-X code, it's best run it from Microsoft's Internet Explorer, rather than other browsers.

Operating System updates for most, are obtainable using the free Microsoft service at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com  Other protection can be obtained using a SpyWare checker and/or a Personal Firewall. Thus with appropriate tools in place and with regularly updated definitions we can protect ourselves from the current spate of viruses and malicious software (Malware) that is achieving wide circulation.

What Is Happening?

Once a PC has been infected, it is often difficult to see what has happened. In some cases, certain applications no longer work - in others, the PC seems to be running slow. One problem recently involved a hijack where unknown to its owner, the PC was sending out junk mail to hundreds of others. This is particularly bad, as it could result in the melbpc.org.au domain being black listed on spam prevention systems. One piece of software found very useful is System Info from http://www.coolbeans.ws It provides a small window showing CPU usage and Internet traffic, where any hijacking activity would be immediately evident. A firewall could have also highlighted that illegal traffic.

Chadstone Bus Expansion

One of the concerns from members using public transport has been the poor services at night. This has now been solved with Route 700 (BoxHill-Chadstone-Mordialloc) upgraded to Smart.Bus standards - more buses, better integration with trains, running later at night and all traveling via the Shopping Centre, Bay 11. See http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au full details.

July Meeting

To assist northern and western members, the July 2005 monthly meeting will be in the Prince Philip Theatre at the University Of Melbourne Carlton campus for a 6.00 pm start.

Reprinted from the August 2005 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia

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