Thanks for raising this very pertinent issue, Jane. I innocently went online with a newly purchased internet-ready computer 12 months ago and this is what happened: - I bought a well known antivirus programme soon after buying the computer, but didn't get around to installing this until a couple of months later. Major damage done by then, much valuable information lost, much tearing out of hair, expensive to have hard drive cleaned up, and couldn't afford a wig either. - In spite of being asked by me time and again not to do so a friend repeatedly forwarded on to me chain letters and attachments as received from a private (friends-only) mailing list. I eventually had to block messages from this friend of mine because of recurring contamination - and this is an example of what Jane said, DON'T open attachments without first confirming that the purported sender did, in fact, send them and had, in fact, already scanned them for viruses before forwarding. - Read about Windows' fire wall in a computer magazine. Activated this immediately. - Dissatisfied with the well-known antivirus programme that I originally installed, and suspecting a virus or whatever still lurking in the computer's innards, I bought a different well-known programme which was only marginally better. Still seemed to be some viruses, etc., sneaking in somehow and affecting my work. - After months of frustration I had the hard drive professionally "scrubbed", my remaining data archived on backup disc, and gave that computer to a young friend to use for his homework and games. - Bought a new computer, first activating the firewall and installing an antivirus programme before going online again after 3 months without internet access. The new computer crashed immediately as, unknown to me, it already had a different, stronger type of antivirus programme installed by the manufacturer - and the two programmes were incompatible! Had to get computer back to the factory for restoration by manufacturer and - holding my breath and touching wood - went online again and so far so good. - Most new computers use MSN's Windows XP operating system, but this is known to have some loopholes and, unfortunately, most manufacturers seem very tardy in pre-installing Windows Service Pack Two of updates to close these loopholes. Fortunately, I had acquired this Service Pack before even acquiring the new computer, so first thing I did after computer set up was to install this pack. (Even the manufacturer's Support Desk couldn't confirm whether this pack had already been installed on my computer in the factory!!!). - Keep my antivirus programme up to date at least weekly, preferably daily, and having it scan just as regularly. - PRAY !!! Elaine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dr. Jane Lyons" <sniliaghin@iol.ie> To: <IRL-GALWAY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 11:46 PM Subject: [GALWAY] After Christmas.............. > In the days after Christmas and into the New Year, those who manage > genealogy lists find that we have an increase in new subscribers. > > I can only assume, that these new subscribers are people who have recently > acquired a computer -or a genealogy programme for their computer - the > time to have an interest in genealgy - any or all of those things > > So, for any person who is new to computers and the internet, I'd ask you > to be aware ..... >