Volume 7 Issue 1

August, 2001

Email Protection

It seems the email landscape has turned into a battlefield lately.
We have seen an incredible rise in the amount of spam trying to reach our mailboxes. Our anti-spam measures currently block over 6,000 spam messages each week! In fact, our mail server now spends more time blocking spam than processing legitimate messages.
We suggest that you use anti-spam measures of your own if you feel the need. SpamBuster (contactplus.com/spam) and SpamKiller (spamkiller.com) are two of the best programs available today.
In addition to the spamming assaults, we are now all faced with the SirCam virus. This is a sneaky, damaging virus that will infect any PC that does not use anti-virus software.
If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to install the AVG anti-virus program. This program is free for personal use, simple to install and available from www.grisoft.com.

Cove WebMail Debut

The development of our new WebMail service is almost completed. It is based on the JavaMail API from Sun Microsystems and will be the first of several Java-based applications for the exclusive use of our subscribers.
Our WebMail service will enable subscribers to send and receive email through a browser from any computer connected to the Internet.
We will be officially launching this new service around the first of September.

Changing Account Information

Several subscribers have suggested we develop a way for them to make changes to their account in the evenings when it is more convenient.
We spent a bit of time creating a feature to do just that. You can now change your Cove account information online!
We have a new link, Change My Account, in the Administrivia Section of our web site.
Here you can securely submit changes to your account (e.g., contact info, add/remove additional email addresses, change your access plan, schedule for SunBird status, and change your payment method and credit card info).

Help Desk Notes

It was another quiet month at the help desk.
A few subscribers got infected with the SirCam virus, but were fine once they installed the AVG anti-virus software.
We have received quite a few compliments about our new tech support team. Now confident in their abilities, we will soon expand their responsibilities to full time tech support.
Our support team is available 24 hours a day and the toll free number is 877-221-2116.

SysAdmin's Corner

No service outages were reported by our upstream providers last month.
Once the WebMail service is launched, we will be installing a new primary gateway router in Salem. The new Cisco router has roughly twice the processing power of our current primary gateway router.
After the new router is configured, we will swap it with the current router and then configure the current router, also made by Cisco, to replace our old Livingston router in Gloucester.

Subscriber Referral Program

Are you pleased with our service? Do you know someone who is unhappy with their current Internet/On-line service?
Why not do them and yourself a favor?
Just recommend our service. If they subscribe, we'll give you a free month of access!
They will appreciate your advice and you'll save a little money.
Again this month, over a dozen subscribers are getting their access in August for free - by referring new subscribers.

Everybody wins!

Internet Training

Have you seen our new web-based training packages?
They are convenient, up-to-date, and very inexpensive.
Visit this website at:
www.courses.cove.com
You can now even take introductory Internet and general computer use courses for free! Just visit our Help Page for access.

What's New at the Cove is a monthly publication of Cove Communications.

Publisher/Editor, Bill Ostaski

27 Congress Street
Salem, MA 01970
(978) 741-5300
(978) 282-3399
office@cove.com

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