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Table of Contents
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Welcome!
Secure Musings
A Helping Hand
Favorite Freeware
Featured Download

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Welcome!

Welcome to the setSystems Software Source! As this is our first official release, allow me to introduce this newsletter to you and to inform you what you can expect to be reading once a week. I currently subscribe to a few e-mail newsletters and publications, and I have come to expect e-mail newsletters to mostly contain advertising and self-promotion, but little useful content whatsoever. Let me state unequivocally that we want to provide you with loads of useful content and very little advertising. As our goal is to provide you with content, the first section, “Musings,” of this newsletter will feature a small blurb about current issues relating to computers or the internet that you will hopefully find useful. The second section will contain at least one tip related to what was discussed in the musings section. Then, the third section will talk about a free (that's right, free) program that will assist you in implementing our tips to you. Finally, the last section will list another program related to the topic of the newsletter. Usually, this program will be try-before-you-buy (TBYB) software. For example, the topic today is security. Thus, the whole theme of this newsletter is how to make your computer more secure. Without further ado, here is the newsletter.

John Saddler
info@setsystems.com

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Secure Musings

I hear and read about so many things going wrong with the security of computers, networks, and the internet. The security of your information and your computer is something you should be concerned about. But, did you know that most of your security depends on you and the steps you can take to ensure your security. Whether we are talking about viruses, worms, hackers, or credit card fraud, you can take steps that will almost ensure that your computer and information are secure. Below, you will find some tips to ensure your security and a couple of software products that can assist you in your quest to be secure.

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A Helping Hand

Since each one of you is receiving this message by e-mail, that means that you are probably susceptible to viruses, worms, and other ugly words. Here are a couple of tips that I have compiled on how to prevent those nasty bugs from inhabiting your computer.

• Most viruses or worms are sent as e-mail attachments. Do any of you remember the Anna Kournikova worm? That worm was sent as an attachment. Here is a simple prevention tip: do not open an attachment that you do not recognize. The bug will not run on your computer unless you physically open the attachment. The Anna Kournikova bug would have died a quick death if computer users had followed that simple advice.
• Nasty bugs can also come through your internet connection. This is especially true if you have a high speed connection through broadband, cable modem, DSL, and other options. It is absolutely essential that you download and install a personal firewall. Personal firewalls will block those individuals who try to access your computer through your open computer ports.

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Favorite Freeware - Zone Alarm - by ZoneLabs

http://www.zonealarm.com
Download Program
Specs - Win 95/98/ME/NT/2000 - Free for Personal Use

Zone Alarm is one of many personal firewalls that are available for today’s internet user. A personal firewall is absolutely necessary for anyone who is connected to the internet via cable modem, DSL, ISDN, broadband, and any other high speed internet connection. Zone Alarm does a good job of protecting your computer from prying eyes. It basically monitors the different ports on your computer that are vulnerable to those on the outside and blocks anyone trying to get in via those open ports. I myself have this program running on my personal computer at home and have seen many instances where it has blocked any unknown sources from entering my system.

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Featured Download - Surfing Spy Internet Usage Monitor - by ESM Software

http://www.e-motional.com
Download Program
Specs - Win 95/98/ME/2000 - Shareware - $26.95

Following our theme of security, this handy little tool allows you to monitor what websites are being visited on a specific computer. Parents find this program especially helpful to check and see if their children are visiting inappropriate sites. It is quick and painless to setup, and the program is almost impossible for the average computer user to detect.