Cactus TurboNet Newsletter 5/26/04

  

 

Email Authentication Change

 

      Because of viruses on our Internet customers’ computers sending email, it’s become necessary as of 4/29/04 to require authentication on outgoing email.    Instructions for making this change for Outlook, Netscape and Eudora are at

     

                        http://www.turbonet.com/Support_Email.asp

 

      We are also blocking port 25 for the same reason.  If you are running a legitimate email server on our system, please let us know.

 

Scanner-Proof Viruses

 

      A disturbing number of new email viruses are encrypted to get past email virus scanners.  And it works, sad to say.  Because they are encrypted, neither our virus scanner nor yours can identify them as they come into your computer.  If you get an email which says to enter a number or code to get your message (or to win a prize or to validate your address (or anything!)) don’t do it.  Even if it seems to be coming from someone you know, don’t do it unless that someone has verbally told you to expect it.

 

      Partly because of the above, and partly for viruses which don’t use email to spread, please make sure your virus checker runs periodically.  And keep it updated – it’s a jungle out there.

 

YouSendIt.com

 

      When sending a large attachment by email, you run the risk that the receiving email program or the receiving ISP may have a size limit on email.  YouSendIt.com solves this problem by placing your attachment on a web site and sending a link to it.  Then it can be downloaded easily without disturbing any email limits.

 

After-hours support available - sometimes

 

      Our normal business hours at Cactus are 9 to 6:30 week-days and 10 to 5 on Saturdays.  But if you have problems outside of these hours, don’t despair.  Give us a call.  Tony and Monica have installed an extension to the main 883-5500 number in their home.  When they’re available, they’ll answer.  There is usually (barring trips to the grocery store or movies) someone there evenings until about 9, and irregularly on week-ends.  Note that there’s no guarantee they’ll be there (and the phone will be turned on) at any particular time, but when we can, we want to help.