Coos Bay Public Library - Comfort Computing Newsletter, Issue 7

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COMFORT COMPUTING NEWSLETTER
August 2005 - Issue 7

INTERNET CLASSES AT THE COOS BAY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Library computer classes will restart in September!

Opportunities in the Area

Bay Area Seniors Computer Club (BASCC) - You must be 50 yrs of age or more to join. Dues are $12 for individuals and $18 for couples per year. Meetings are at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Thompson Ave., and are on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month at 9:30 a.m. for the Social Hour and 10:00 a.m. for the meeting. See their Web site at www.bascc.ws.

BASCC offers a variety of classes on an as-needed basis, either at its own computer lab or at other locations. The class size is usually 4-6 learners.

Coquille Valley Senior's Computer Club (CVSCC) - The Coquille Senior's Computer Club will meet in the Library of Coquille High School at 7:00 pm. School is out - so please remember to use the back door! The club meets the 2nd and 4th Mondays. Contact person: Bob Kimball (396-4971).

Must be 55+, membership fees are $12.00 per year for singles, $18.00 per year for couples. Feel free to attend a meeting before joining.

North Bend Public Library - Each class is offered every few months. Please call Dianne at 756-0400 if you would like to be notified when a workshop is scheduled.

Surfing the Coastline
Basic Internet Searching
Useful Internet Workshops

Southwestern Oregon Community College - Adult non-credit classes to introduce you to Windows, word processing, Internet, Email and more.
The college will again offer classes in the fall term and will be listed in the next newsletter. You may also pick up a copy of the fall term schedule and look under "Adult Learning Skills Program" although that is not a complete list of what they plan to offer. Classes are in room 204 of the Newmark Center.

Computer Basics 1 - Sept 19 - Oct 6
M,T,W,Th 5:30 - 8:20

Fee of $25 check or money order (per term) is payable at the first class, do not bring cash. Minimum of 8 students or class will be cancelled. Call 888-7116 for more information or to register.

TIP OF THE MONTH

Pharming - It's not misspelled and it has nothing to do with agriculture, although it does have to do with foraging. Basically Pharming is where bandits illegally forage for your money electronically.

Pharming is the exploitation of server software vulnerability that allows hackers to redirect you from a legitimate Web site to theirs. Their fake Website will appear to be your bank's site and they hope to fool you into entering your passwords, PIN (personal identification number) or even your account name and number. With these they can then steal your identity and possibly all your money.

This is why it is important that banks and shopping sites utilize SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protection (see below). Only businesses can take this measure to protect your transactions, unfortunately there is nothing you can do to protect yourself. Not even looking at the URL (Uniform Resource Locator or Web address) will help you identify a hijacked site, since it will appear to be the correct address.

For more explanations go to the following Web sites:

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharming
Alarm over pharming attacks: identity theft made even easier - http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3513_7-5670780-1.html
Basic SSL Facts (example of a secure site) - https://e3servers.com/articles/ssl2.htm

Phishing attacks are very similar but are started by an email requesting you go to the Web address provided by the email. They will attempt to fool you into thinking the email is from a legitimate site and that you need to update your customer information. Remember that no legitimate site is going to request you do this via email. When in doubt do not use a link provided within such an email but go directly to your bank's Web site by entering the address that you saved in your bookmarks or that is listed on your monthly statements.

For more information:

How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam - http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/phishingalrt.htm
Pharming Out-Scams Phishing - Wired Magazine - http://www.wired.com/news/infostructure/0,1377,66853,00.html

USEFUL WEB SITES

Increasing your typing skills

Are you bemoaning your slow typing? Here are a few sites that offer aids or even games to increase your accuracy and speed.

Touch Typing - http://www.senselang.com/
Typing Tutorials - http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listtypingtst.html. List of free online typing tutorials and other related sites.
Typing Pal Online - http://www.typingpal.com/Practice/ Practice Typing - Free chance to practice your typing, calculates your speed and number of errors.
Yahoo! Typing Tests and Games - http://d5.dir.scd.yahoo.com/business_and_economy/business_to_business/computers/training_and_development/software/typing_tests_and_games/

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, or to change how you get it, please contact Dolores, 269-1101 ext. 222, dknight@cooslibraries.org

Coos Bay Public Library
525 Anderson Ave.
Coos Bay, OR 97420
541-269-1101
bay.cooslibraries.org

8/2005