Module 2: Communication Technologies

USING E-MAIL

• Some interesting facts about e-mail
• Avoiding online problems
• Can you be found?
• Avoid identity theft
• Keeping your computer healthy
• Good netiquette
• Jump to another topic in module 2.

Some Interesting Facts About E-mail

• Is e-mail considered synchronous or asynchronous communication?
  E-mail is referred to as asynchronous communication because all the parties don't have to be using e-mail at the same time. One person can send while another person is off-line.

• How can you send e-mail to multiple people at one time?
  E-mail can be sent to many people at the same time. In the TO: field, enter multiple e-mail addresses separated by commas.

• When you address e-mail, you can fill in a recipient in the TO: field, and also in the CC: and BCC: fields. What do these mean?
  CC: refers to carbon copy. These people also receive the e-mail, but are officially not the primary person to whom the message is addressed. BCC: refers to a blind carbon copy. This person also receives the e-mail, but no one else knows it has been sent to that person.

• What are attachments and how do you send them?
  Attachments are files (such as an HTML document, a picture, or a sound file) that you send along with your written e-mail message. Simply select ATTACH in your e-mail program, and then select the file(s) to be sent. Note that some e-mail services limit the size of attached files that you can send and/or receive.

• What does quoting in an e-mail mean?
  When replying to a message, you may want to quote the original message after your message, so the person remembers what he/she wrote. Simply select quote original, or set the options in your e-mail program to automatically quote the original message.

• How can I organize my e-mail?
  You can create folders in which to store messages. Doing this will help keep your e-mail less cluttered.

• What is a signature file?
  A signature file is a standard closing that is attached at the bottom of all e-mail messages. Most signature files consist of your name, e-mail address, other contact information (optional), and a favorite quotation (optional).

• Can I fetch messages from other e-mail accounts through Hotmail or Misericordia's mail?
  Yes. Many mail servers allow you to check your e-mail remotely over the Web. To accomplish this, you will be asked to enter the following information:
  1. POP mail host name (e.g., mail.epix.net)
  2. user name
  3. password

Avoiding Online Problems

1. Take steps to stop (or at least slow down) spam!
   Unwanted bulk-sent e-mail is known as spam. You can deter or minimize spam through the following methods:
   • Use filters to block or reroute e-mail from specific addresses (or that meet specific criteria) to your trash folder.

   • Set Internet privacy options in Internet Explorer to limit "third party" cookies:
     • Select tools--Internet options--privacy to make setting changes.

   • Follow these tips from McAfee.com:
     1. Beware of purchasing spam-advertised products.
     2. Refrain from clicking on Reply or Remove!
     3. Use a "public" e-mail address when online.
     4. Don't post your e-mail address online.
     5. Use an e-mail spam filtering program (such as McAfee's Spam Killer).

2. Be careful about how your name appears in sent e-mail messages!
   Almost all mail clients (except Misericordia's, where it is already established) allow you to choose your user name and your display name. You don't have to enter you first and last name to appear on outgoing e-mail messages.
   Be careful! Realize that the e-mail world will know you only by the presence that you create. The name you choose may attract people, and sometimes the wrong people. Choose your name carefully, and think about the possible consequences before you do.

Can You Be Found?

Do you need some convincing as to why you should not make your full name your e-mail name? In the "try it" below, try to find out someone's phone number or street address. You might also want to obtain a map with driving directions to their house. You might also want to try to locate a person's e-mail address, although this usually is not reliable unless the person you are seeking is established for a period of time within a company. (Anyone can create, change, and delete e-mail names over and over again daily.)

Find a Person in RL Find people online and in RL (real life) at anywho.com. Try the following: Imagine that you just have a name and maybe a city or state. Try to find a phone number and address for this name. Determine how many people with your last name live in Pennsylvania or another state. Reverse Telephone Lookup Navigate to anywho.com Pretend that you only have a phone number. Try the reverse lookup option and try to locate this person. Maps and Driving Directions When you have found an address, select from a variety of maps or driving directions.

Avoiding Identity Theft

1. Internet Safety.ppt: Dr. Steve's PowerPoint presentation on identity theft.
2. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft: The Federal Trade Commission Web site on identity theft. View their introductory video!

To avoid identity theft:

1. Never give out personally identifying information to anyone (except for authorities and people you trust).
2. Always shred mail that contains your name, address, and other personally identifying information.
3. Protect against spyware.
4. Check your credit report periodically.

If you are a victim of identity theft:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports with the 3 main credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, Experian).
2. Close any suspected accounts with your financial institutions and credit card companies.
3. File a complaint with the FTC.
4. File a report of the crime with local police.
5. Monitor your credit report AnnualCreditReport.com (free annual service) OR FreeCreditReport.com (pay service to automatically monitor your credit reports).
6. Download more information from the Federal Trade Commission.

Protect yourself when buying/selling online at www.escrow.com

Spyware Another threat to your privacy and protection that could lead to identity theft is spyware. Spyware software hides on your computer and monitors or controls your computer use. It may be used to send you pop-up ads, redirect your computer to websites, monitor your Internet surfing, or record your keystrokes, which, in turn, could lead to identity theft. Some clues that spyware is on your PC: (according to the Federal Trade Commission) a barrage of pop-up ads a hijacked browser (takes you to sites other than those you type into the address box) a sudden or repeated change in your computer's Internet home page new and unexpected toolbars new and unexpected icons on the system tray at the bottom of your computer screen keys that don't work (for example, the "Tab" key that might not work when you try to move to the next field in a Web form) random error messages sluggish or downright slow performance when opening programs or saving files To guard against spyware, experts at the FTC and technologists suggest: Update Windows and Web browser software. Download free software only from sites you know and trust. Be careful with peer-to-peer file-sharing programs. Know the risks (FTC's P2P File Sharing Alert). Don't install any software without knowing exactly what it is. Ensure your browser security setting is high enough to detect unauthorized downloads. Don't click on any links within pop-up windows. (If you do, you may install spyware on your computer. Instead, close pop-up windows by clicking on the "X" icon in the title bar.) Don't click on links in spam that claim to offer anti-spyware software. Some software offered in spam actually installs spyware. Switch on the Windows firewall program or install a another similar product. Download Ad-Aware by Lavasoft. Ad-Aware is designed to provide advanced protection from known Data-mining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.

Keeping Your Computer Healthy

• What is a virus?
  Viruses are computer programs that propogate themselves by attaching to programs files (.EXE files) on your hard drive.

• When were the first computer viruses created?
  The theory behind computer viruses, the concept of a self-replicating program, started in 1949. Computer viruses have been around since the first Apple computers, in 1981.
  Read a Timeline of Computer Viruses.

• How do most people contract a computer virus?
  Computer viruses commonly come from the following sources:
  1. Opening e-mail attachments.
     • The viruses are embedded within infected program (executable) files (.EXE files).
     • Contained in macros inside Microsoft Office documents (i.e., Word or Excel).
  2. File sharing (infected programs or music files (mp3's)).
  3. Clicking on download links in Instant Messenger.
  Read about how computer viruses spread at HowStuffWorks.com.

• What are the main types of viruses?
  According to the AVP Virus Encycolpedia and HowStuffWorks.com, there are four main types of infection:
  1. file viruses: Infect executable (.exe) files.
  2. boot viruses: Save themselves into the disk boot sector or the Master Boot Record of a disk or hard drive.
  3. macro viruses: Live in macros within Microsoft office data files.
  4. network viruses: Infect network servers, and are spread through e-mail.
     • e-mail viruses: Spread through e-mail attachments. This type of virus usually replicates itself by automatically mailing itself to people listed in the victim's e-mail address book.
     • worms: A virus that uses computer networks and security holes to replicate itself.
     • Trojan horses: This type of virus is embedded within a computer program (like a game). When you download and run the program, it does damage to your computer. These viruses do not replicate themselves automatically.

• How do I know if I have a virus, and what can I do about it?
  Find valuable information at VirusList.com

• How can I avoid getting a virus?
  Being prepared is the best defense for avoiding a computer virus. Take the following steps:
  1. Watch out for suspicious e-mail messages that have file attachments.
     Don't fear plain text e-mail messages. If you receive an e-mail with an attached file, and you don't know who the sender is, just delete it! If you do know who the sender is, and that person sends you a suspicious message or a suspicious attached file, you might want to verify that person actually sent the attached file to you! (Some virus programs send virus-laden e-mails to people on the victim's address book.)

  2. Install a virus checker program, and keep it updated with the latest .DAT files.
     • McAfee.com
     • Symantec (Norton)
     • Housecall (Trend Micro)

       Scan your PC for viruses with these free online utilities! housecall.antivirus.com www.stop-sign.com

  3. Turn on the Windows firewall utility (or install a firewall program).
     Firewall software monitors your Internet connection and alerts you to any attempted intrusions. This is essential if your computer is online all the time (through DSL or cable modem). Firewall software can also automatically block any system trying to probe your PC, and can prevent your personal data (such as real name, address, e-mail address) from being sent to Web sites without your knowledge. Access the Windows firewall by selecting: start menu -- control panel -- Windows firewall. Learn more:
     • Firewall.com
     • ZDNet.com.

  4. Keep your copy of Windows updated.
     Many hackers and virus creators seek out weaknesses in Windows as a way to attack your computer. Installing periodically released Windows updates will help you guard against this. Turn on automatic updates by selecting: start menu -- control panel -- system -- automatic updates.

• What are virus hoaxes?
  Some people enjoy preying on people's fear and ignorance of viruses. These people enjoy sending hoax warning messages. The classic signs you have received a hoax message are:
  1. Subject line states a stern warning that a new virus has just been found.
  2. The message claims that a large company (like IBM or Microsoft) has just announced that this virus has been found.
  3. The message describes in graphic detail the horrors that will befall your computer if you don't heed the warning.
  4. The message prompts you to forward the message to everyone you know.
  Read a list of recent virus hoaxes at McAfee.com.

Good Netiquette

• Netiquette Home Page
• Take the Online Netiquette Quiz.

In using the Internet as a means of communication, some aspects of the human element are missing, which can result in a misunderstanding of the author's intent or feelings. To add the human element of emotion into e-mail, writers often use emoticons and acronymns. Check some out through the following links:

• emoticons
  • Newbie.net Smiley Page
  • Recommended Emoticons and Smileys for E-mail Communication
• acronyms
  • NetLingo Acronym and IM Listing (also lists emoticons)
  • Internet Acronym Server (by Silmaril)
  • Acronym Finder

JUMP TO ANOTHER TOPIC IN MODULE 2:

Using e-mail.

Internet prerequisite skills.

Searching the Web.

Searching MU's library and online databases.

Evaluating online resources.

Downloading files using FTP.

Web 2.0: Interactive online communication.

Go to Module 2.

Go to Topics.

Go to home page.

E-mail Dr. Steve.