Announcements

Hacker Smacker!

At last! Someone finally built a better firewall!

We just came across an incredibly well designed firewall program! It's FarStone's Hacker Smacker and once you get past the cute name, you'll discover some serious hacker protection. (At a great price too :-) I've already replaced my old firewall with it and couldn't be happier.

But do you even need a firewall?

Absolutely.

The number of hackers scanning for open targets increases daily. As if that wasn't bad enough, the sophistication of their software is also getting better. There are readily available programs out there that allow a person of average computer savvy to hack into other computers - automatically!

What can they do once they get into your computer? Here's just a sample:

They can...

	Steal personal info like credit cards, SS#, name, address, phone, etc.
	Steal internet info like passwords, online bank info, etc.
	Plant keystroke loggers so anytime you type in sensitive info (credit cards, bank accounts, address, etc) that info is sent back to the hacker.
	Use your computer in denial of service attacks against major web sites
	Destroy and / or plant files, install viruses, or disable Windows altogether
	Use your computer as a junk mail server for who knows what type of e-mail (OK, you can probably guess). A big article on this in the current issue of PC World. They say the problem is epidemic and people are completely unaware their computer is being used by an outsider until their ISP contacts them.
	Or they can just spy on your computing activities

I've had friends who have gotten hacked into and it's no fun. It's almost a guarantee you'll need to reformat and re-install since you don't know if the hacker left any kind of "back door" program. It makes battling viruses look like fun. Oh, and no, your Anti-Virus will NOT protect you from hackers.

Why This Firewall?

I've seen and used a lot of different firewalls and this is simply best I've ever worked with. It's really easy to use and includes a lot of features that other firewalls just don't offer. FarStone has a real knack for making powerful software very user friendly and they really did a fantastic job on this one.

Not only does it keep the hackers at bay, but it also keeps your installed programs from sending out information. You'd be surprised how many programs (especially spyware) like to "report back" to their HQ. This program monitors the connection and lets you know whenever a program is trying to send out data. You may be surprised how often it happens from programs you thought were "safe". It's made me aware of a few problems, that's for sure!

I know, most firewalls can do all of the above (although most aren't this easy), but this has lots of other ingenious features. One of the coolest is the "Pass Lock" feature that allows you to instantly block all traffic in or out. So, if you think you have a problem you can cut off access in a matter of seconds. As an extra safety precaution, this can even engage after a set amount of idle time. I have mine set to come on when my screen saver does. That way, I can walk away from my computer knowing that no traffic - inbound or outbound - can pass though. Even programs that are allowed access can't play while I'm away!

In addition, this software can:

	Log attacks - including the attackers IP address
	Protect your privacy by insuring that your personal info isn't accidentally sent over the internet.
	Clear internet history, cookies, web links, auto-match, windows temp folder, password history, start menu run items, and tons more
	Can display what programs are currently connected to the internet
	Allows you to set your computer so it's only able to access the 'net for a specified duration.
	Customize your security level
	Works with multiple users

Whew, OK, that's enough - if you want more info, head to the product page! Oh, and be sure to check out the Comparison Chart that shows you why this beats Norton, Mcafee, and ZoneAlarm.

Your price? Just $12.97 and US shipping is FREE! Why pay $50 or more for a firewall that just isn't as good? This is the best I've used and I can't recommend it highly enough. Give it a try - you'll love it too :-)

http://www.worldstart.com/store/hackersmacker.htm

PS - This software prevented and logged 6 attacks while I was typing this review. Get yours today!

MS Office 101

The Clean Sheet

Are there times when you find MS Excel's gridlines more distracting than helpful?

Wish there was a way to get rid of them—to view a clean worksheet?

If you answered yes, then I've got the information you're looking for.

Gridlines in MS Excel are controlled through the Options window. (Tools menu, Options choice)

Once in the Options window you're looking for the View tab.

On the View tab you need to uncheck the Gridlines box in the Window options section.

Then click OK.

Poof!

Gridlines gone :-)

(You will find that they are still on new workbooks you create so you can use this one when you need it and not affect all your new work.)

Office Tip of the Day

Open To Delete?

What?

I don't get it? Open to delete?

Yeah—sounds crazy but it's true.

If you're in an MS Office Suite program and want to delete a file you could go out of the program, navigate the hard drive and delete the file.

Or... you could do it right from within the program you were working in to begin with.

Now, assuming you're on board with the delete it from within Word, or Excel, or PowerPoint, etc. you'll want to do the following things.

First, make sure that the file to be deleted is closed. (You're just going to get an error message if you try to do it with the file still open.)

Next, go to the File menu, Open choice. (Alt then F then O will work and so will Ctrl + O)

Once the Open window is up you're ready to select the file(s) to be deleted. You are free to navigate through your system to find whatever you're looking for.

If the file you need to delete is not the type of file that program is looking for and it's not currently displayed then select All Files from the Files of type list.

With that setting in place, the program will display all types of files in a location—not just the ones meant for the program you're working in.

When you've located the file highlight it (click on it).

Remember, to highlight more than one adjacent file click the first file, hold down the shift key and then click the last file in the list.

To select non-adjacent files hold down the Control key and click on each file name.

All files selected?

Yes—good, then we're ready to move on.

Now let's get to the actual deletion.

One way is to hit the Delete key on the keyboard.

The program will ask you to confirm your decision, and once you do, it will delete your files.

Another option is to right click on the file name and select Delete from the pop-up menu.

Again, you will have to confirm the decision to proceed.

After the files are deleted you'll be back at the Open window.

Simply click the Cancel button—unless, that is, you have a file to actually open at this point—and you'll be returned to the program to continue your work a few files lighter.

~ April