NetConX
Illus
Frequently Asked Questions:

Ask Dr. Webbie

Answers to Your Internet Questions

Is there an Internet question you'd like to see answered in a future edition of Website Compass? E-mail your question to DrWebbie@WebsiteCompass.com.

To assist him in answering your question as specifically as possible, be sure to include the following: the name of the browser you are using (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0, Firefox 2.0, etc.), the name of the e-mail software you are using (i.e. Microsoft Outlook Express 6.0, OS 10.4 Mail, etc.), and the version of your system software (i.e. Windows 98, Windows XP, etc.)

QUESTION:
Somebody told me that Microsoft support for Windows XP (which I use) is ending soon. Is that true?

ANSWER:
Yes, if you have Service Pack 2 (SP2) on Windows XP, support will be ending. Here's the news from Microsoft:

What does this mean for users? If you're running one of these Windows versions after support ends, you will no longer receive software updates from Windows Update. These include security updates that can help protect your PC from harmful viruses, spyware, and other malicious software, which can steal your personal information. Windows Update also installs the latest software updates to improve the reliability of Windows.

For more details, visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/end-support-windows-xp-sp2-windows-vistawithout- service-packs?os=other.

QUESTION:
To save money, I've been using Web coupons when I shop. Are there privacy concerns with these coupons that I should know about?

ANSWER:
Coupons from the Internet are the fastest-growing part of the coupon world — their redemption increased 263 percent to about 50 million coupons in 2009, according to the coupon-processing company Inmar. Clearly, many people like you are taking advantage of the savings that Web coupons offer. You should know that in exchange for saving a few bucks, you are providing some information about yourself to the advertisers.

Here's how it works: Let's say you download and print a coupon for $10 off at a national clothing store. By doing so, a tracking cookie identifies your computer as the coupon downloader, notes the words you used to search for the coupon, and gathers your Web history. The clothing company's marketing agency learns, for example, whether you used the search term "discount suits" or "ABC suits" to research the purchase.

If you're a fan of the clothing store's Facebook page, a Web coupon that you download from that page will link to your Facebook account. So the clothing store has access to the information contained in your Facebook page such as your interests, location, hometown, birthday, and political views. (They can't look into your Facebook profile, however, unless you join their group.)

It's important to make clear that advertisers don't use this information to do anything illegal. They simply want to know more about their customers so they can fine-tune their pricing, marketing messages, and promotions.

QUESTION:
How much energy will I save if I turn off my computer each night? Is it worth the effort?

ANSWER:
Here's some food for thought: Ford recently announced that their company will save $1.2 million in energy costs annually just by shutting off computers when they aren't in use. I realize that shutting off the one or two computers at your house won't add up to energy savings this big, but it can still be worth the effort. It's estimated that by shutting off just one computer each night, you could save more than $30 per year in electricity.

At energysavers.gov, they recommend that you turn off the monitor if you aren't going to use your PC for more than 20 minutes, and both the CPU and monitor if you're not going to use your PC for more than two hours. They also suggest that your monitors, printers, and other accessories be on a power strip/surge protector. When this equipment is not in use for extended periods, turn off the switch on the power strip/surge protector to prevent them from drawing power even when shut off. Another energy-saving option is to put your computer in "hibernate" or "sleep" mode if available.

QUESTION:
Can you explain what threads are and the "netiquette" about them?

ANSWER:
A thread is a particular segment of a long, back-and-forth e-mail conversation. For example: I send an e-mail to you, you send an e-mail back to me, I reply and copy in two more people, these people reply to all of us, and so on. Each one of those segments is called a thread.

When you want to send a reply to an e-mail, it's important that you click on "Reply" rather than on "New Mail." Why? Because if you create a new message, it will break the thread (or link) between the original message and your soon-to-be-created response. Without the link, it can get difficult for recipients to follow the sequence of messages and they may have to spend time reviewing old e-mails to find the information needed. So make it easier on everyone and don't break the thread.

QUESTION:
I've been the victim of identity theft. What do I need to do?

ANSWER:
Go to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) website located at www.ftc.gov for complete details on the four steps you need to take. They are:

  1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports and review your credit reports. Fraud alerts can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name. Call the toll-free fraud number of any of the three consumer reporting companies below to place a fraud alert on your credit report. You only need to contact one of the three companies to place an alert. The company you call is required to contact the other two.
    TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
    Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
    Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
  2. Close the accounts that you know, or believe, have been tampered with or opened fraudulently. Call and speak with someone in the security or fraud department of each company. Follow up in writing, and include copies (NOT originals) of supporting documents. Keep a file of your correspondence and enclosures.
  3. File a complaint with the FTC. You can file a complaint using the online complaint form; or call the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline, toll-free: 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); or write Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20580.
  4. File a report with your local police or the police in the community where the identity theft took place. When you go to your local police department to file your report, bring a printed copy of your FTC ID Theft Complaint form, your cover letter, and your supporting documentation.