Hello, and welcome to this week’s edition of our WOW News.

I hope you’ve had a fabulous week.

Dare I mention it? It’s only FIVE weeks until Christmas!     

My goodness, as they say, doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?

THE WINNER IS

This week I announced the winner of one full year’s Gold Level membership, just for filling out our survey. The winner is Lisa Gorman from New South Wales. Lucky Lisa!

And a giant thank you to everyone who did fill out the survey, it is going to help shape our community, and what I’ll have available for you next year.

And the gifts for those who gave me their contact details will be leaving soon – they’ve just finished being made.

In this edition we’ll look at:

• Subscribing to a helpful computer tips site
• Internet Security telecall
• Keeping our brains active and
• Humour – How To Call the Police When You’re Old

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A quick word about the content of this message.

If this message doesn’t display properly, please click here to read the message online, at the Newsletter section of our forum:   http://members.thewebonwheels.com.au/members/thewebonwheels/comm/

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Until next time, please take good care of yourself.

Viv

“Worry is like a rocking chair – it gives you something to do, but won’t get you anywhere.”
Unknown

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Newsletters

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I really like bringing this newsletter to you, and I am absolutely delighted when someone lets me know it’s been of help, or interest to them. It makes it all worthwhile.

I personally subscribe to many newsletters. I subscribe to try them out, then unsubscribe if I no longer find it of interest, or it’s not contributing to my knowledge bank, or my personal growth.

Today I’d like to tell you about one of the ones I subscribe to – Computer Help Squad.

I’ve included in this newsletter an article from John, and the link to his newsletter, should you wish to subscribe yourself. I know a few of our subscribers are ready to learn a bit more about computers, and technology in general. There is a lot to keep up with, and I like John’s suggestion of signing up to receive the Microsoft newsletters – there’s usually something helpful in them.

Article from John’s Computer Help Squad newsletter.

Wow! We’ve been moving a mile a minute around here.

I hope you’re doing well!

Welcome back to another tip for helping keep your computer running properly!

Sign up for free newsletters from Microsoft.

Did you know Microsoft offers a bunch of different free email newsletters (kind of like this one that cover all kinds of different topics?

You can get tips for Windows, tips for Office, ideas for using Microsoft programs at home and work, and lots more.

You can even get an executive email from Bill Gates himself. A lot of these newsletters have some great tips and project ideas for different programs from Microsoft. You can sign up at the following page:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=317769

Note: You’ll need a Hotmail email account to sign up for these newsletters, but you can sign up for a Hotmail account for free (the newsletter can go to any email address though). There’s a link on the above page to register if you don’t already have one.

Thanks a bunch for being a subscriber! You mean a lot to me!

Take care,

John

www.computer-help-squad.com

END ARTICLE.

John’s messages are always friendly and sometimes I find out something I didn’t already know, which is just great.

If you’d like to subscribe yourself to John’s newsletters, then please click this link: www.computer-help-squad.com You’ll see a box where you put in your name and email address. When you subscribe, you’ll also be sent a link to download his ’5 step guide to protecting yourself on the internet’.

If you’d like to subscribe to the Microsoft newsletters, then please click this link: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=317769 (Please note – you will need to have a Hotmail email address to go to the sign up form)

If you’d like a hand with any of the above, please email me: info@thewebonwheels.com.au

And with all these newsletters, if you no longer wish to receive them – there’s an Unsubscribe link in every email.

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Internet Security

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I recently did an interview with Charly Leetham on the subject of internet security.

In our one hour chat we looked at what internet security means, we spoke about the terms that are used, and Charly described how it is possible for some of these problems to get into our computer.

And very importantly Charly let us know of what we can do to protect ourselves.

It it reassuring to know there are many steps we can take to ensure we’re as safe as possible online.

This is an important subject, so I’ve made the information available to you in several different ways.

Below is a brief summary of the key points from the transcript of our chat.

If you would like to LISTEN to the recording of the interview, it’s in two parts.

Part A discusses the problems, and Part B is the part about solutions and suggestions on how to protect your computer from online security problems.

Here are the links to the recordings, if you care to listen. They’re each about 30 minutes long.

Part A: http://members.thewebonwheels.com.au/members/thewebonwheels/videos/VIEW/00000025/Internet-security-Part-A.html

Part B: http://members.thewebonwheels.com.au/members/thewebonwheels/videos/VIEW/00000026/Internet-Security-Part-B—Solutions.html

You will need to wait a minute or two, then click on the Play button to hear the recording – don’t forget to turn on your speakers!

There is a lengthy article of all the key points in our member’s area: http://members.thewebonwheels.com.au/members/thewebonwheels/blog/VIEW/00000008/00000011/Internet-Security.html#00000011

The full transcript is 32 pages, and if you would like to read all of what we spoke about, then members can send an email to me t: info@thewebonwheels.com.au Just put Internet Securty transcript in the subject line, and I’ll send you the copy.

Here is a summary of what we spoke about:

Internet Security is a big issue for most of us.

It is reassuring to know there are many steps we can take to ensure we’re as safe as possible online.

In our one hour chat with Charly Leetham we looked at what internet security means, we spoke about the terms that are used, nd Charly described how it is possible for some of these problems to get into our computer.

Below is a summary of the key points of the transcript of our chat. In our recorded chat, it’s actually a lot easier to understand all this, because you will hear all of the parts of the conversation, and the explanations etc.

KEY POINTS:

• Overview of what internet security is about and what some of the terms mean.
• Internet security is like making sure that your house is secure and that the undesirables can’t get into your house unless you give hem permission to enter.
• With the right security measures in place you will be protected 90%-95% of the time.

Internet Security Jargon

• The first term most people have heard is when people have “a virus”. That’s a general term meaning anything that can infect your omputer. It’s called a virus because it does actually get into your computer through various means and it can duplicate itself on our computer and cause problems without you knowing about it.
• Viruses can come in a number of different variations. The first one’s a ‘Trojan’. It normally comes onto your computer in a egitimate manner, but requires you to physically open on your computer for your computer to be infected.
• Another term is ‘worm’. The scary thing about a worm is it doesn’t have to be attached to anything; Worms are the most angerous things around because they actually act on their own; but, don’t be too scared because there are ways to stop these hings coming in.
• Another term is ‘phishing’ (with a “ph”). It’s called phishing because it phishes for your personal information. And out of all the threats on the internet phishing is the hardest one to protect against because it requires us as human beings to be able to filter it and say, “No I am not going to do that. That doesn’t look right to me”.

How do viruses get into your computer?

• Viruses might get in via email attachments.
• One of the simplest ways for a virus to get into your computer is through an email attachment. Check before opening an email from anyone.
• Turn off the Preview Mode of the email.
• Look at the attachment filenames. If it ends in: .doc; .xls; or .pdf; or .jpg, you can be reasonably confident that it won’t be a bad thing.
• If it ends in .zip, it’s possibly okay, but still be careful with .zip files.
• If it ends in .scr or .scr.zip – do not open that message. Genuine screensaver files have .scr in their file name – so do viruses – be very wary of it.
• A virus might get into your computer is by browsing a website.
• Sometimes when you visit a genuine website, there is a hidden malicious code. The hidden code triggers the virus to be downloaded to your computer. And when you go the next website the virus will try to upload itself to that website and infect that website.
• A good quality anti-virus product will actually look at what’s being downloaded from the website and clean it for you.
• Google has a really strong security arm that checks websites for malicious code. It malicious code is detected, it will put the website into a directory, and alert anyone going to that website that there is a problem.
• If you go to a site that has been compromised don’t think badly about the website owner -they’re probably more of a victim than anyone else.

Protecting yourself

There are certainly steps we can take to minimise the risks.

• First exercise caution before opening attachments.
• If you’re suspicious of an email, delete it straight away.
• If you use hotmail or gmail for your email, report the email as spam.
• The best thing you can do is run high quality internet security software.
• The anti-virus software looks to see if a virus is in that document. If it finds a virus it will tell you – and may automatically clean the document and let you open it; it may ask what to do, or may just simply quarantine the document and say, “No you can’t open it because it’s got a virus in it”.
• Internet security software will scan your computer on a regular basis.
• You should scan your whole computer once a day. A good scan of your whole hard drive can take an hour or so.
• You can set to scan on “start up”.
• Paid Internet security is better. An annual subscription allows all the new updates to your internet security software. These updates will protect you from the new viruses that are released.
• Having a Firewall is absolutely imperative. You should not connect to the internet unless you have a Firewall running. A firewall ‘sits’ between your computer and the internet and will generally allow data out but it won’t allow data in unless you ask it to come in.
• If you have security in place and you are exercising caution as to what files you’re opening, making sure you’ve got your scans being done daily and that your updates are being done daily you will generally have a clean environment.
• If you find you are infected, don’t panic, make sure you’ve done your update, run your virus scan, run a full system virus scan and you should be cleaned. If not, then a technician will be able to clean it for you.
• If you hear of a new virus, then perform an update manually, rather than wait for the scheduled one.
• A bank or a financial institution or any reputable company will never, ever, EVER, send you an email asking you to give them your personal details.
• If you’re unsure about a message from your bank, then log in manually to see if there are any messages. Don’t click on the link that’s in the email message.   Point your mouse over the link in a suspicious email. It will show you the actual website it’s going to link to. (Here’s a link to a video to show you what I mean:    http://tinyurl.com/nxyyqj )
• Forward a suspicious email to spoof@ebay.com or paypal.com or your bank.
• Security and law enforcement are taking these issues very seriously.
• Free versions of internet security aren’t full function versions they’re often missing a key component. For somewhere between $30 and $50 a year per computer it’s the best investment you will make in your peace of mind.

Both Charly and I use Kaspersky.

They have a special on at the moment. Here’s a link if you’d like to find out more:

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How are you?

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And how’s the Brain Matter?!

I recently saw my chiropractor, who is also a neuroologist. He mentioned about keeping our brains alive – how doing simple everyday things can make a big difference.

Things like, brush your teeth with your left hand, drive to the shops a different way than the usual way – and do your shopping in a different order.
All these things which are not routine will make new pathways in your brain, and that’s what keeps it fired up, and will help the brain stay in good condition.

I joined up to Lumosity some time ago, and receive my daily reminder to go and do some of the brain training – and usually I’m too busy.

But today, I’m going to ensure I take 10 minutes to go there. I know that each time I do the games, I feel just like Olivia Newton John says in the Nintendo DS ad – “I’m sharper on the days I do the games”.

Here’s a link to the Lumosity site, if you’ve never tried it. It’s the best I have found on the internet, and they have a 7 day trial.
Why not give it a whirl – you’ve got nothing to lose, and heaps to gain.

Reclaim Your Brain: Fight Cognitive Decline with Brain Games. Free Trial.

And it will also sharpen your computer skills!

Here’s an article I found interesting – I hope you get something out of it.

Staying Mentally Healthy As We Age
By Dr. Mikol S. Davis, Ed.D., psychologist and Carolyn L. Rosenblatt, R.N., B.S.N., Attorney, AgingParents.com
Special to BB[KC]

The problems of aging can alter the way we are accustomed to being in our world, and can be damaging to mental wellness unless we work at holding onto wellness. There are recognized components to mental health, and these are some of the basics.
Maintaining a sense of purpose in life is critical to maintaining mental wellness.
People sometimes lose their sense of purpose when they stop working or raising children. Loss of a spouse or loss of physical mobility can cause us to feel “adrift” or useless. Volunteering your time with something you enjoy may give you the reward of feeling appreciated, and can give you a sense of purpose. Volunteer opportunities exist everywhere. Choose an activity with which you are familiar, and with which you have confidence or knowledge.

Structure.
With retirement, loss of structure can directly affect self esteem. When structure is not imposed by school, family, or work, one must strive to create structure in life. Maintaining structure is much more difficult than simply creating it. It requires a different kind of self discipline than it does to cook the family meals or work for a paycheck. Having a place to go, something to look forward to, and a reason to get out of bed or out of the house is essential to maintaining mental health.

Having Fun.
Self acceptance is key to dealing with the diminished independence that often accompanies aging. We simply have to give up seeing ourselves as we once were, totally on our own, if we are to maintain mental wellness when aging changes us. Scheduling activity every day, especially fun activity is useful. Consider having fun as part of your job in maintaining a healthy senior
lifestyle. In our work-obsessed society, this can be difficult, but give yourself the “okay” to enjoy all you can.

Creating or maintaining a sense of community.
Being a part of a community can serve a multitude of needs. Mental stimulation, socializing, a sense of spirituality, a forum for physical activity, and a feeling of belonging are some of the benefits of community. Isolation is the opposite of maintaining a sense of community. Getting out with a friend and enjoying seeing something new can help build and keep a sense of community with others, and fend off feeling lonely.

Mental wellness is a combination of a healthy spirit, in a healthy organism that makes the whole of us. Like any aspect of our health, staying mentally healthy takes work.

About Dr. Mikol S. Davis, Psychologist
Dr. Mikol Davis, Ed.D., has been a mental health care provider for 35 years. He obtained his doctoral degree in educational and counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1980. He has extensive post-doctoral education in human learning, communication skills, interpersonal conflict, and psychopharmacology. He has a special interest in aging issues, particularly assessing elders’ capacity for making decisions. He has broad expertise in depression, anxiety, adolescent behavior, and addressing conflicts in families. He is a mediator of family disputes. Together with his wife, nurse-attorney Carolyn Rosenblatt, he is a founder of AgingParents.com in San Rafael, CA, which provides services and resources to those who are caring for aging loved ones. He has co-authored published articles on mental wellness and other subjects with his wife and business partner. He also maintains a general psychology practice in San Rafael. He blogs at agingparentssupport.com. You may contact him at (415) 459-1203 or by email drmikol@agingparents.com

About Carolyn L. Rosenblatt, R. N., B.S.N., Attorney at Law
Ms. Rosenblatt is a Registered Nurse and an Attorney, with over 40 years of combined experience in her two professions. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of San Francisco in 1971. She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from University of San Francisco School of Law in 1978. She has hands-on nursing experience with thousands of elders, as well as extensive experience in fighting for the rights of individuals as a lawyer.

Together with her husband, Dr. Mikol Davis, a psychologist, she is a founder of AgingParents.com, a resource for those who are caring for aging loved ones. She is a consultant to individuals and families struggling with aging-related issues, and is a mediator for families in conflict. She is the author of The Boomer’s Guide to Aging Parents, offering practical solutions to the most pressing legal and health care problems adult children of aging loved ones face. She has published many articles on topics related to aging in national legal and nursing journals. She serves as an expert columnist on numerous websites. She also blogs at eldermediationblog.com and agingparentssupport.com. You may contact Carolyn at (415)459-0413 or send her an email nurselawyer@agingparents.com

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Humour me!

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How to Call the Police When You’re Old!!!

This comes from an email I received:

HOW TO CALL THE POLICE WHEN YOU’RE OLD AND DON’T MOVE FAST ANY MORE

George Phillips of Gold Coast, Australia was going up to bed when his
wife told him that he’d left the light on in the garden shed, which she
could see from the bedroom window. ( Boy does this sound familiar! )

George opened the back door to go turn off the light but saw that there
were people in the shed stealing things.

He phoned the police, who asked ‘Is someone in your house?’ and he said
‘no’. Then they said that all patrols were busy, and that he should
simply lock his door and an officer would be along when available.
George said, ‘Okay,’ hung up, counted to 30, and phoned the police again.

‘Hello, I just called you a few seconds ago because there were people
stealing things from my shed. Well, you don’t have to worry about them
now because I’ve just shot them.’ Then he hung up.

Within five minutes three police cars, an Armed Response Unit, and an
ambulance showed up at the Phillips’ residence and caught the burglars
red-handed.

One of the Policemen said to George: ‘I thought you said that you’d shot
them!’

George said, ‘I thought you said there was nobody available!’

(True Story) I LOVE IT -** **Don’t mess with old people!!*

Smiles and best wishes,

Viv