Virus and Spam Filtering

Virus Protection Checklist

Following are some recommendations to keep your computer secure and free of viruses and intrusion. Complete these steps and make sure you stay up-to-date to help keep your computers free of virus infection.

Install antivirus software and check for updates daily. Some vendors include:

http://www.symantec.net
http://www.mcafee.com
http://www.cert.org

Run a full virus scan on your hard drive weekly at minimum. A free virus scanner is available at:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Install personal firewall software. Some vendors include:

http://www.zonelabs.com
http://www.symantec.net
http://www.mcafee.com

Windows XP users should enable the built-in XP firewall located in network connection properties.

A free download for ZoneAlarm personal firewall is available at:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Install an anti-spyware program and run often. Some vendors include:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com
http://www.mcafee.com

Check for updates to Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office weekly:

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
http://office.microsoft.com

Disclaimer: ConnectTime does not author the web sites or software listed here. ConnectTime assumes no responsibility for any information provided on this checklist, referenced here or referred to by ConnectTime Installation Technicians and Support Representatives.

Spam and Junk Email

The ConnectTime spam filter is provided free of charge to you for your ConnectTime email accounts. It is a mail filter that will identify and block spam from your Inbox. The ConnectTime spam filter will mark your subject lines in your messages so that you can identify and filter out spam.

The ConnectTime spam filter tracks down spammers through analyzing email header data, analyzing message text, utilizing existing blacklists, and through accumulation of spam message signatures. Access it at:

myaccount.connecttime.net

Resources for Online Safety Information

The Children's Partnership Rules and Tools for Families Online Guide (PDF):
http://www.childrenspartnership.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Parent_Materials&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentFileID=1048

Some basic rules for parents from The Children's Partnership (PPT):
http://www.childrenspartnership.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home§ion=Technology4&template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentFileID=1948

Safety Tips for Families:
http://kids.getnetwise.org/safetyguide/families

Online Safety Guidelines for Parents from SafeKids.com:
http://www.safekids.com/parent_guidelines.htm

A place for parents and teens to learn how to use the Internet safely.
No preaching, just good advice:
http://www.safeteens.com

TEEN SAFETY on the Information Highway by Larry Magid:
http://www.safeteens.com/safeteens.htm

Internet Monitoring & Content Filtering Software:
Cyber Sentinel
Net Nanny

Article on Adolescent Reasoning and Decision Making:
Young minds found not quite ready to reason
Sunday, March 16, 2003
By Barbara White Stack, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/20030316youngbrains2.asp