We consider August the “Month of the Worm.” There were several fast-spreading worms (aka viruses) that overran countless Windows-based computers. These do not spread via email as most worms do; rather they infect computers through services typically open on Windows computers. These worms affect Windows NT 4.0, 2000 and XP computers only.

The best defense is to install Microsoft patches as soon as

Naturally, there were plenty of viruses infecting Windows computers via email as well.

Two of the nastiest we've heard of spoof (fake) the sender's address as support@microsoft.com or admin@YourIsp, which in our case is admin@cove.com. This, of course, ticks me off.

While our MailCheck catches all viruses in email, these nasties contain links to viruses. So please do not click on any

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links in those messages.

We occasionally send messages to all subscribers from admin@cove.com, but I always sign those messages.

Please delete any message from admin@cove.com that is not signed by Bill Ostaski!

We suggest you preview your email in our

WebMail interface before downloading your messages. This way you can delete any unwanted messages in advance - saving you download time!

We are installing a new secure server this month which will include all of our updated programs.

These programs include all of the perl/cgi programs we

ported over to java, an improved version of WebMail (as described last month), our OpenSRS interface, as well as several other security-based tools.

We anticipate swapping out the secure servers on the second weekend of September (either the 13th or 14th). The swap will affect our WebMail service and most all other services that

use secure forms (e.g., our sales pages).

These services should be back on-line within 10 to 15 minutes.

It was a quiet month at the help desk.

Most calls were for account setup information.

If you ever need help, please select tech support (Option 2) if you call our main office. This

will enable you to get our dialup access numbers, email settings or our toll-free help desk number.

Please remember, our help desk team is available to you 24 hours a day and the direct, toll free number is
877-221-2116.

This was mainly a quiet month on the network.

None of our upstream providers had any outages to report.

As described above, we will be installing a new secure server and will also be

upgrading several others. We will also be replacing several UPS batteries.

We may also be swapping out our primary T1 this month, depending on Verizon. The new T1 installation is already two months behind schedule.

Are you pleased with our service? Do you know someone who is unhappy with their current Internet or 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 September for free - just by referring new subscribers.

Everybody wins!