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Eavesdropping on Internet Activity
Q. I have reason to believe that some inappropriate things are occurring with a
member of my family on the Internet. Is there any way I can monitor what is
happening online when I’m not around? Thank you so much for being there,
Mr. Modem. I don’t know where
else I’d turn.
A. There is a software program called Spector that will do exactly what you
want. When you install it, Spector runs invisibly, so no one is aware of its
presence. Even if it is discovered -- which is highly unlikely -- it cannot be
easily removed or disabled.
Spector (http://tinyurl.com/3rrv6b)
works like a surveillance camera, taking a snapshot of whatever appears on the
computer screen and saving it in a hidden location on your computer's hard
drive. A few seconds later, Spector takes another picture. In fact, Spector can
automatically take a picture of the screen as frequently as once every second.
Spector ($69) will record all chat conversations, instant messages, emails typed
and opened, all Web sites visited, all programs launched, all keystrokes
entered, anything and everything that occurs on the computer and on the
Internet. You can return to the computer a few hours, a few days or even weeks
later, enter your password, and review exactly what transpired on that system in
the interim.
Q. Would I be wise to switch all my email to Yahoo! from my present ISP?
A. I see many, many people doing that these days, switching either to Yahoo!
Mail (http://mail.yahoo.com)
or Gmail (www.gmail.com).
There is a definite trend in that direction, primarily because Web-based mail is
so reliable, plus it eliminates the need for an email program such as Outlook
Express, Eudora, Thunderbird, etc. There is also the added convenience of being
able to access mail from any computer with Internet access. In addition, when
it’s time to purchase a new computer, because your mail resides on Yahoo’s or
Gmail’s servers, there is no need to transfer mail folders, settings, or
configure a new email program on the new system. Using your browser, you simply
log into your mail account and you're off and running.
You can also create a free, “disposable” address at Yahoo! Mail or Gmail and use
it for online shopping or for Web site or product registration purposes, in
order to prevent spam and other annoying follow-up messages from cluttering up
the inbox of your primary email account.
While it ultimately is a matter of personal preference, Web-based mail does make
a lot of sense and has many advantages. I prefer Gmail over Yahoo! Mail, but you
can’t go wrong with either one.
Q. My new computer shows time in the 1:30 PM format. I prefer the military
version of time, that being 13:30. How can I change that? I’m using Windows XP.
A. To display military time, go to your Control Panel > Regional and Language
Options > Customize button > Time tab and choose HH:mm:ss from the drop-down
menu. Click Apply > OK to save and exit.
Q. My Outlook Express suddenly has what I would describe as a lower panel of
sorts that I did not have before. How can I get rid of that? I can drag it up
or down, but it is confusing, and I know it wasn’t there before. Thanks,
Mr. M.
A. What you’re describing as the “lower panel” is the Outlook Express Preview
Pane, that enables you to view messages without actually opening them. If you
click to select a message in your Inbox (the upper panel), the body of the
message appears in the lower panel. To disable it, click View > Layout and
remove the check mark to the left of “Show Preview Pane,” followed by Apply >
OK.
Mr. Modem’s DME (Don’t Miss ‘Em)
Sites of the Month
How-To Videos
Arguably one of the best collections of “How-to” videos on the Web. All videos
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http://learnhowto.tv
Infowisps
A collection of interesting yet incredibly useless trivia. For example, did you
know that U.S. President William H. Taft had a speech impediment? In particular,
throughout his life he said “snausage” instead of “sausage,” and since he was a
rather portly gentleman, he was nicknamed “Baloney Bill.” How’s that for trivia?
www.infowisps.blogspot.com
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Product recalls of toys that can injure, various and sundry safety- and
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