|
Have a tip that we can use? Submit it here.
“NO TO ALL” WHEN OVERWRITING FILES
When overwriting files in Windows Explorer, there is an option for “Yes to All”.
This would overwrite any files you would normally be prompted for.
To select “No to All”, simply hold down the Shift key while you click on the “No” option.
hide tip
SYSTEM TIME
To make sure that your computer clock is accurate you can synchronize it with an internet server:
1. Double-click the time on the taskbar
2. Click “Internet Time” tab
3. Check “Automatically synchronize with an Internet time server”
4. Click on “Update Now” button
hide tip
WINIPCFG for XP
If you like the graphic IP configuration program that comes with Windows98, you can download a similar one for Windows XP or Windows2000 from Microsoft by clicking here.
The file is also available here.
hide tip
WINDOWS START MENU
Miss the look of the Windows 98 start menu in Windows XP?
You can easily change it back:
1. Right click on the "Start" button and click "Properties"
2. Click "Classic Start Menu" and the click "OK"
hide tip
WHAT IS PHISHING?
(pronounced “Fishing”)
A form of criminal activity that uses social engineering techniques to fraudulently acquire sensitive personal information such as passwords, credit card details, banking information, etc).
The techniques used to acquire this information typically involve a victim being deceived into providing sensitive information to a person masquerading as a person or business.
A victim may receive an email from an authentic looking email address complete with logos, relevant subject information, and links in the body of the email.
Sometimes the email asks that sensitive information be responded to in a return email or other times a link needs to be followed.
These authentic looking pages will request information (i.e. provide your bank number and online banking password to login to the secure area to verify your mailing details).
The banking id and password could then be used by the phisher to log into the legitimate bank site and transfer funds, change information, etc.
There are several different ways to avoid falling prey to the types of attacks:
1. If in doubt of the legitimacy of an electronic communication phone a customer support number on a bill or statement.
2. Instead of following a link in an email; type in the address yourself.
It is common for a phisher to create a link with an address that looks similar to the original.
(i.e. royalbank.com may appear with a typo “royalbonk.com”, or with extra address information “royalbank.com.myplace.com”)
Don’t send sensitive information using email.
hide tip
CHANGING YOUR DESKTOP BACKGROUND
To change the background “right click” on the desktop, click “Properties” and click the “desktop tab”.
You can pick from a pre-designed background from the list, or click browse to find out a picture of your own.
After you have click “ok”.
hide tip
SPYWARE DEFINITION
Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge.
hide tip
PAPER TIP
If you leave paper too long in the printer you will experience a higher frequency of paper jams.
This occurs when paper dries out due to air exposure.
hide tip
SWITCHING BETWEEN MULTIPLE PROGRAMS
To switch between open programs, press and hold the 'Alt' key, and then press the 'Tab' key to switch between each open program or window.
hide tip
CREATING DESKTOP SHORTCUTS - METHOD 2
The fastest and simplest way to create a shortcut is to drag the .exe (the icon that you double click to load the application) file from the folder it resides onto the desktop.
hide tip
CREATING DESKTOP SHORTCUTS - METHOD 1
To create an icon for frequently used programs.
Find the executable file (the icon that is clicked to open the program) and click on it once with the left mouse button.
With the cursor over the icon right click on it.
In the drop down menu choose the “create shortcut” option.
Either a box will appear asking if the shortcut should be placed on the desktop or it will create a “shortcut to __” in the currently opened folder which can be dragged onto the desktop.
hide tip
SELECTING ALL
To select all files or folders in an open directory press “CTRL A” which will highlight all non-hidden objects.
“CTRL A” can also be used in applications like Microsoft Word to highlight all the text in a document.
hide tip
MINIMIZING ALL WINDOWS
To minimize all windows:
1. Press Ctrl-ESC to bring up the Task Bar
2. Press Alt-M
This makes it a lot easier to minimize windows when all your open applications are full screen.
hide tip
HIDING/SHOWING THE EXTENSION OF KNOWN FILE TYPES
In any windows folder click Tools -> Folder Options -> Click the “View” Tab
Under the “Advanced Settings Window” there is an option for “Hide extensions for known file types” either leave the box checked to see extensions or unclick it to hide extensions for known types.
Warning: Hiding file extensions makes it more likely that you will inadvertently open a file that could cause your computer harm.
For additional information email info@e-pni.com.
hide tip
CLOSING MULTIPLE TASKBAR ITEMS
An indicator is available that will point directly to your mouse.
If you have multiple windows open on the task bar you can close selected ones using the “CTRL” button.
By holding CTRL you can “left click” to select the windows you wish to close.
Release “CTRL” then “right click” on the selected items and choose “close group”.
hide tip
MOUSE SONAR
An indicator is available that will point directly to your mouse.
To enable this option Click “Start” -> “Control Panel” -> “Mouse”.
Choose the “Pointer Tab” and then click “Show location of pointer when I press the control key" box.
Press OK.
To find your cursor press and release the “Ctrl” key.
hide tip
LIMITED USER ACCOUNTS FOR INCREASED SECURITY
The majority of Windows XP users run their computer as an “Administrator”.
This creates a situation where malicious software can run on your computer without your knowledge.
A quick and easy fix to this type of threat is to perform your day-to-day tasks as a “limited User” and only log in as an “Administrator” to make system changes.
If you aren’t sure how to create “limited user” accounts click here or email here.
hide tip
ENABLING QUICKLAUNCH TOOLBAR
1. Right click on an open area of the toolbar
2. Select Toolbars
3. Select Quick Launch
hide tip
RENAMING A SERIES OF FILES SIMULTANEOUSLY
You can rename several similar files at once with the following procedure (great for renaming recently downloaded digital photos):
1. Open the folder containing files that you want to rename.
2. Select the files you want to rename. (See previous tip for help: Selecting Multiple Files)
3. On the File menu, click Rename.
4. Type the new name, and then press ENTER.
All of the files in the series will be named in sequence using the new name you type. If you want to specify the starting number for the series, type the starting number in parentheses [i.e. Photos (11)].
hide tip
ONBOARD KEYBOARD
Windows XP has an onboard keyboard.
To activate it press Start -> Run and then type OSK, then click OK.
hide tip
BRINGING BACK "MY BRIEFCASE"
Remember “My Briefcase” which was available in earlier versions of the Microsoft Operating system?
You can have it back by clicking Start -> Run -> and typing “syncapp” without the quotations in the run field.
Press enter and the briefcase should appear on the desktop.
hide tip
|