#1 Identity Theft Threat

A message received from an owner of a computer consultant firm specializing in security reads

"We give seminars to businesses specifically pointing out the dangers of spyware among all the other gremlins. Over half the problems we encounter in the field are caused by spyware. This is the method of choice now for identity thieves. With some of the software out there, specifically keyword loggers, you don't need to be a hacker to pull it off."

There are many excellent anti-spyware programs. I use three:
WinPatrol
Ad-Aware
SpyBot

All are free for personal use. WinPatrol and Ad-Aware have advanced versions which are inexpensive and well worth the nomial cost.

Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes

Unless, of course, you like really great astronomy photos.

KidsNet

Called KidsNet, this is a site that helps children, families and educators intelligently access the educational opportunities available from television, radio, and multimedia sources.

By combining the talents and resources of professional educators across the country, they produce several guides that help accomplish this goal.

There are program ratings, media guides for preschool to high school, study guides to help students build on what they have watched, and a quarterly media news resource.

GI Education Benefits

The military offers a number of programs to help you get through school. Like a lot of government things, this area can be confusing.

GIBill.com explores the ins and outs of grant and loan programs. If you're in the military, just out, or thinking of joining, give this some consideration.

Message: "New Updates Ready To Install"

Microsoft regularly updates Windows to fix security flaws. These updates are critical. Without them, your computer could easily be attacked.

In software as large as Windows XP, it's likely that there will be security problems. That is certainly the case with Windows XP.

Your computer is probably set up to receive the updates automatically. The message you are getting means that the updates have been downloaded to your computer. It is essential that you install them.

You can search for updates manually. Open Internet Explorer.
Click Tools ->Windows Update. Let Microsoft scan your system.

In the left panel, you'll find three categories of updates:
- Critical Updates and Service Packs
- Windows XP
- Driver Updates.
The first should always be installed; the others are optional.

You should make the update process as automatic as possible. In XP,
click Start -> Control Panel
Double-click System
Select the Automatic Updates tab
Click the box next to "Keep my computer up to date."
Click "Automatically download the updates..."
Set a time when you're normally online.
Click Apply -> OK.

In Windows 2000,
click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
Double-click Automatic Updates
Set a time when you're normally online.
Click Apply -> OK.

In Windows ME,
click Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
Double-click Automatic Updates
Select "Automatically download updates..."
Set a time when you're normally online.
Click Apply -> OK.

Four Wheels And A Running Board

Attention old car lovers! The Old Car Manual Project has a vast library of manuals (What ? No automatics???). There are also brochures, pictures, and other information. The site is slow to load at times but well worth the wait.

Flakey Monitor?

So .... your monitor goes black for several seconds or more and then comes back on with the same image as before. Here are some possible problems and their solutions:

Computer needs rebooting. What are you waiting for? Reboot it. It's amazing how many problems are fixed by rebooting.

Loose cable connections. The monitor plugs into the VGA port on the back of the computer. Be sure it is well-seated and that the screws are tight.

Wrong video card drivers. Check the web site of the video card's manufacturer. There may be downloadable drivers for your video card.

Video card badly seated in the motherboard. If there is any doubt, remove the set screw and push the card in.

Heat issues. Video cards get really hot. To check this, you'll have to open the computer. Run it with the case open. Check the video card to be sure its fan is working. The monitor cable is plugged into the video card. Follow the cable to identify the card. If the fan is not working, replace the card.

More heat issues. Not all computers have video cards (which are actually circuit boards). Your video may be built in to the motherboard. Regardless of whether you have a card, check all of the fans in the computer. There is one on the power supply and probably one on the microprocessor. They must all be working. Heat does weird things to computers.

Main board memory poorly seated properly inside the machine. Turn off and unplug the computer, open the case and ground yourself. Push down on the memory modules to make sure that they are snug.

Failing monitor. Borrow a good one, if possible, and see if the problem vanishes.

Video card chip failure. By eliminating the other causes, you may get to this. There's no fix; replacing the card is the only solution.