November 2004 Edition
 
 


Welcome to the November 2004 edition of the eNewsletter!

This month we have information to keep you safe during this holiday shopping season. Our Tech Tips lists some information to keep you safe while shopping with online retailers. Our Hot Site spotlights ScamBusters.org which offers information to help aid users in protecting themselves from a variety of scams.

Move over Internet Explorer. Firefox-fever is sweeping the Internet. This new browser is quickly popping up on desktops all over the globe and is likely to take a chunk out of Internet Explorer's browser dominance. Also, The Motion Picture Association of America is getting ready to take on movie swappers. Recently, the MPAA announced that they would file law suits against users who illegally swap movies over the Internet. These stories are the topics in this month's Technology News.
Technology News**

Mozilla Firefox: Internet Explorer Has New Competition
On Tuesday, November 9 Mozilla released their long-awaited browser, Firefox. This new browser is expected to go head-to-head with Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The Firefox browser is noticeably faster on web page loads and has a wide-variety of support for different technologies.

Firefox stands out on many levels from other browsers on the market. Security analysts are finding the browser to be dramatically more secure than Internet Explorer. For years, computer users have watched the many viruses and security holes attacking Microsoft's browsing technology. However, even with the lack of security that Internet Explorer provides, it is still the dominant browser used on the Internet. One downfall is that the browser is currently lacking ActiveX support. However, the absense of ActiveX support is one of the key reasons this browser is so secure.

The Mozilla Firefox browser includes a tabbed interface, pop-up blocker and built-in search tools. Early reports are showing that the Firefox may be the most stable browser available to date. All-in-all, Firefox is loaded. To obtain your FREE copy of Firefox, visit http://www.mozilla.org/.



Movie Industry Targets Online Swappers
The movie industry announced that it will begin suing those who swap movies over the Internet on November 16. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) announced that the law suits could seek damages up to $150,000 per motion picture as stated under the federal Copyright Act.

"Illegal movie trafficking represents the greatest threat to the economic basis of movie-making in its 110-year history," Dan Glickman, MPAA president and chief executive, said in a statement. "People who have been stealing our movies believe they are anonymous on the Internet, and wouldn't be held responsible for their actions. They are wrong. We know who they are, and we will go after them, as these suits will prove."

The MPAA estimates that piracy in hard copies of movies costs the film industry over $3.5 billion a year.

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Tech Tips*

Online Shopping Tips

The Holiday Season is rapidly approaching and with it, the busiest shopping period of the year. Most consumers prefer traditional shopping methods by visiting local stores. However, many Internet users are finding better bargains and merchandise online. Below are a few tips on keeping your online shopping experience a good one!

  1. Be sure to shop using only a browser that supports secure technologies such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Secure Electronic Transaction (SET). These technologies will create a secure environment for your online transaction by encrypting the data that is sent between your computer and the online retailer. All popular browsers, such as, Internet Explorer, Netscape, and Firefox, support these security measures.

    To ensure that the online retailer is using a security feature such as SSL or SET, look on the status bar (bottom bar) of your browser. If there is a lock or key that is visible, then your transaction will be protected. You can also check to see if the URL (web address) includes an "s" behind the http (example: https://onlineshoppingsite.com)

    Be sure to read any warning messages that are displayed by your browser. These warning messages can contain any information that may compromise the security of your transaction.

  2. Pay with a credit or charge card - By paying with your credit card, you will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. By law, consumers have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances. In case there would be unauthorized use on your credit card or that you would be billed incorrectly, you can be protected. Be sure to read the agreements and policies with your bank or credit card company.

  3. Shop with companies you know - Most major retailers have wonderful shops online. If it's a company that you aren't familiar with, call their customer service phone number to request a catalogue. Also ask about return and privacy policies.

  4. Print records of your purchases - If you have a printed record of your purchase, you will have documentation to dispute the transaction if there would be a problem. The Federal Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule covers orders made on the Internet and states that orders must be delivered within 30 days unless the customer is contacted and informed otherwise.

  5. Shop smart - Online shopping is not much different that traditional shopping. If something doesn't seem right about the site, go to another one. There are numerous online retailers that are dedicated to providing their customers with a good safe shopping experience. Good online retailers will make their customer service number and policies readily available for customers to review. Be sure to use your instinct.

Millions of users enjoy online shopping every day. By being careful and objective, you can be sure to have a safe and enjoyable online shopping experience!

NOTICE: Please do not send email to the eNewsletter email address for problems directly relating to your Internet service. If you have a billing inquiry or are experiencing problems with your Internet service or email, please contact technical support directly. Tech Tips are a service to assist users specifically with tips and tricks to enhance your Internet experience.

Hot Site of the Month***

ScamBusters.org

The ScamBusters.org web site offers information on a variety of scams, including credit card fraud, viruses, spam, urban legends and more. They also offer a free monthly email publication which details the latest scams, online and offline. As of today, Audri and Jim Lanford, owners and producers of ScamBusters.org, have produced 100 emails to keep users educated on popular scams which are not only circulating the Internet, but daily word-of-mouth gossip as well. Honored by major news companies from ABC News to ZDNet, ScamBuster's have been awarded many top honors for their work. Visit the ScamBuster's web site at http://www.scambusters.org

 
 

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*Technical support will not be able to assist with problems orquestions outside of relation to our Internet service. Tech Tips are based on our knowledge and experience. However, since we - just like you - are only users. For help or more information, please contact one of the organizations in our Hot Site section. **Technical Support will not be able to assist in installation or support of any product outside of our Internet service . Downloading and installing any software is at your own risk. ***Technical support will not be able to assist with problems directly relating to the web sites featured in the Hot Site section.