I was prompted to write this after a customer of mine brought his family PC into me to look at. He has only recently gone online and like any 'newbie', made the mistake that many computer users fresh into the world of the internet make - they believe anything that appears on their screens!

It all started with a visit to YouTube - a great source of videos that is used by millions of people every day - but apparently someone (who shall remain nameless!) decided to view a Pamela Anderson video or a similar kind of thing and during this a window popped up informing him that he really needed to improve his security - and to 'click here' and all will be well...

Well. Seasoned 'net users will recognise the scenario only too well, but a 'net newcomer wouldn't have realised the danger he was in. Of course, the inevitable happened and the system is now loaded with 'ErrorSafe' and other spyware junk that has to be removed.

The school holiday periods are usually busy for me because the kids - especially on rainy autumn days like this week - are bored and surfing the 'net is a good way to pass the time. Parents often tell me that 'their kids know a lot more about PCs than we do'. My response to that statement is often to say 'well, they sure know how to get into more trouble online than you do for sure!'

The reality is that while some, and I stress the word some, kids know what they are doing and the pitfalls to avoid, the majority just don't have any idea what kind of problems they can cause by their 'click-happy' approach.

Here's a few tips to try to prevent costly repair work -
1. Tell the kids to stop and think (or ask you) before clicking on any warning message or offer to fix their 'security or spyware problems'. The only genuine warning messages that you will get are from your own installed antivirus or antispyware programs.

2. If there seem to be limited options available when one of these bogus warning messages appear - eg: you only get 'Ok' not 'Cancel' - then try to close the message window using the red cross at the top right if there is one. If there isn't, close the internet browser, shutdown any other programs that are running and restart the PC. The bogus warning may complain but just let Windows end any programs and restart.

3. If your system does appear to be 'behaving badly' and you suspect an infection is the culprit - firstly, disconnect the broadband modem (turn it off if necessary) and get it looked at sooner rather than later. I often get asked to look at PCs that have been infected for days or weeks. The problems never fix themselves, believe me!

Andy Turner
Coastal Computers & Design

Edit: Free spyware removal software is available, but beware - there are a lot of bogus ones out there. My personal favourite is SpyBot Search & Destroy. But, please, ensure you get the right one as there are hundreds of 'knock-off' products with similar sounding names. The genuine article can be found here:

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html 

Berry Landcare is having a fundraider on 24th May at the School Of Arts in Berry.

A Concert with the band 'Carra'.

Tickets are $15 and are available in Berry (Huckleberry House, Stan Burt Arcade) and Nowra (Socrates Table near Roxy).

Call Kim Dove on 44643391 for more details.

Admin note: I'll enter this in the Events Calendar to remind us all closer to the end of May.

Back in Auckland I used to be involved in assisting several of the SeniorNet clubs - which are clubs for over 55s who want to get more out of their computers. The self-help nature of these clubs meant that all the members had cheap access to short courses run by more 'PC-savy' club members as well as support.

I would be happy to assist in setting up something similar at the 'Heads if a group of people are interested in this idea. I am still in contact with several committee members from a couple of Auckland clubs who can provide paperwork/courses/ideas and text etc to make the process a little simpler.

For it be 'a goer' there would really have to be a secure venue available like a room in a club or similar so that computers could be left set up for courses etc.

If anyone is interested in the idea, please let me know firstly and I can put people in touch with each other or arrange a meeting at the club to discuss it further.

Andy Turner
Coastal Computers & Design

Some links to the kiwi clubs I assisted :
SeniorNet Eden-Roskill * SeniorNet West Auckland

It happens to us all - you check the bank statement and a direct debit doesn't go through because you forgot about a cheque you wrote a fortnight ago, or your better half used the debit card and didn't mention it. There on the statement is the dreaded $35 or $40 dishonour fee charged to your account - and most likely the other institution that the direct debit was supposed to go to has also socked you a similar amount!

We would have had this happen to us about 5 times in the past 2 or 3 years - think we've ever paid the fee? Nope. We challenge the bank (usually in writing) and EVERYTIME they have waived the fee - we offer to pay a reasonable administration fee, but they always waive the whole fee. Why? to not set a precedent that's why - if they reduce the fee charged then every customer of that bank can demand the same treatment, so they kindly waive it to show 'good faith' or because you are a 'valued customer'.

The reality is that the high fees are most likely unenforceable in law - the law states that an institution may charge a reasonable fee to provide a service, but may not charge an exorbitant one. Plain and simple and that's all you have to remember!

Choice.com.au has a word document and information that you can download to challenge fees. They also say that you can retrospectively challenge unfair fees going back from 3 to 6 years depending on which state you live in.

Here's the link to the website I mentioned -
Choice.com.au - Reclaim your bank fees

Give it shot - I'd be surprised if you are unsuccessful.

Wibble

I found this handy pdf map of Shoalhaven Heads which can be easily printed off - useful for visitors.

Shoalhaven Heads Town Map

and if you are 'caught short' - this is a handy one too!
Public Toilet Map of Shoalhaven Heads