Email

Email is the electronic equivalent of sending a letter through the mail. There are many different mail programs but the basic functions are the same. An email address directs a message to the recipient.

Email addresses are done this way... accountname@domain.com

You need to know your login information (account name) in order to retrieve the email.  Also you need to know what your Email servers are.

POP3 is the INCOMING server address – ‘pop3.telus.net’ or ‘mail.tomax7.com’ for example.

SMTP is the OUTGOING server address – ‘smtp.telus.net’ or mail.tomax7.com

- You may have to tell Outlook Express that you need Secure Login (check box)

- Do not have “RETURN READ RECEIPTS” allowed, you’re asking for Spam.

SPAM - unsolicited e-mail that you get usually from online contests, or signing up for a free program. About 55-65% of traffic on the Internet is made up of spam.

COOKIES – are small text files that record your visit to a website for future reference.  Non-harmful, but they can reveal some information, like your login name and IP address to hackers.  Clean these out often.

VIRUS - is a proactive program designed by a dweeb or hacker with no life to do unwanted functions on your computer. The virus program can be simply annoying like displaying a happy face on the user's screen at a certain time and date. It can also be very destructive and damage your computer's programs and files causing the computer to stop working.  There are two types of viruses - Trojan Horses or Worms.  Trojan Horses come attached to a ‘legitimate’ program like a card game or email attachment.  They usually only infect the computer it was opened on.  Whereas a WORM will spread itself and self mutate to other machines on the network.  Get AntiVirus programs like Trend Micro PC-Cillin, or Avast.  AVG is decent also.

SPYWARE is almost as bad as a Virus.  It tracks and watches passively your actions on the Internet, or even watches your keystrokes then emails the results to the author.  Get Anti-Spyware programs like Ad Aware or Counter Spy.

File Transfer Protocol (ftp) allows a user to transfer files and documents from one computer to another.

Instant Messaging (im) such as ICQ and MSN allows users to find friends and contacts through the Internet and communicate with them in real time. Users maintain a list of contacts which the software will notify when they are online and contact is available.

Internet Relay Chat (irc) is another program that allows users to participate in real-time discussions with other users through the Internet.