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We're doing our best to keep you and your computer healthy with this April issue. To avoid computer viruses, be sure to read about recent spam aimed at Facebook users and how to spot these fraudulent e-mail messages. In Great Sites, we feature resources to help you achieve a healthier credit score, find out about clinical research on medical conditions of interest to you, and discover healthy recipes that are quick and easy to make. You'll also learn why "https" is a sign of website security, and how to set up automatic e-mail message delivery at startup.
We think you'll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience. As always, we appreciate your feedback and suggestions. Please send your thoughts, comments or questions to newsletter@greenmountainaccess.net.
- The Green Mountain Access
Team
Aaron, Adam, Amanda, Eric,
Kris, Richard, Seth, Scott, and Tom |
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Easter Egg Hunt On Saturday, April 4 At Waitsfield And Champlain Valley Telecom
 Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 4, when rain, shine (or snow), it’s time for the annual Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt. The egg hunt will start promptly at 10:00 am. Refreshments will be available beginning at 9:30 am. Once again, the event will be held at the Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom business office located on Route 100. The egg hunt is open to children of all ages and is free of charge. For more information, please contact Lorraine Keener at 496-3391 or via e-mail at lkeener@wcvt.com.
E-mail Scam Alert – Targeting Some GMA Users!
Recently some of our users have reported receiving e-mails claiming to be from Green Mountain Access stating that we are performing an e-mail upgrade and need to confirm your e-mail address, password or other personal info to prevent a service interruption.
These messages are NOT from GMA and should be deleted right away, do not reply to it! Green Mountain Access does not request passwords or similar account information via e-mail. Please contact us at 888-321-0815 if you have replied to one of these e-mails or with any questions you may have.
Here is an example of the scam e-mail that some users are reporting that they are receiving:
from: gmavt.net
reply-to: web.admin.upgrade.team@gmail.com
to user@gmavt.net
date Thu, Mar 19, 2009
subject Warning Notice!!!
You email account needs to be upgraded to our new F-Secure® HTK4S anti-virus/anti-spam 2009 version.
Click your reply tab, Fill the columns below and send or your account will be suspended temporarily from our services.
USERNAME:
PASSWORD:
PHONE NUMBER:
www.gmavt.net Web-Administrative Team
-------------------------------------------------
This e-mail is sent by CUHK WebMail http://webmail.cuhk.edu.hk
WCVT To Hold Technology Open House in May
 On Saturday May 16, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom will be holding a Technology Open House at our office on Route 100 in Waitsfield. Bring the whole family to see the latest in technology, products and services and a little bit of history. There will be technology demonstrations, fiber-optic demos, splicing, pole climbing, and more. Free food and giveaways! Please contact Lorraine Keener, at 496-8379 or via e-mail at lkeener@wcvt.com with any questions. We hope you to see you at the open house.
CVU Junior Chosen to Participate in Washington, D.C. Leadership Program
 Katherine Cheney, was selected to participate in the Leadership Through Learning Program sponsored by the Foundation for Rural Education (FRED). FRED is a part of the Organization for the Promotion and Advancement of Small Telecommunication Companies (OPASTCO). Katherine was nominated by Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom and will participate in the all expense paid weeklong leadership program this month. A total of fourteen high school juniors and seniors from rural communities around the U.S. that are served by independent telephone companies will also participate in the program. Participants will spend their time learning firsthand about American history, federal government and current events. They also will have the opportunity to meet with government and members of congress. Congratulations Katherine!
New Business Listings
Looking for a local business? More now than ever, supporting businesses in the local community is critical. What better place to find them than to look than in one of our four local telephone directories. For your convenience, each of our local telephone directories are also available online at www.vermontphonebooks.com. Here are some new local business listings.
-1st Choice Home Inspection Service, 482-4411
-Alex MacDonald Construction, Inc., 453-3914
-Champlain Valley PC, 482-4911
-Coggio Upholstery, 434-7421
-Electrical Power Solutions, LLC, 545-3000
-Hummingbird Lane Investments, 453-5500
-Law Offices of Joseph A. Greenbaum, 425-4646
-Greensea Systems, Inc., 434-6080
-Mad Taskers, 496-6400
-Miguel’s at Sugarbush, 583-4400
-Nagle & Joyce, Attorneys at Law, 496-4450
-Palmer’s Garage, 425-2115
-Sterling House of Richmond, 434-7181
-Stickle Road Automotive, 759-2886
Also, please make a note of the following directory listings that were omitted in our 2009 Champlain Valley Telecom Directory Yellow Pages:
-Copperhead Electric, 758-2391
-Michael O. Hermann, Attorney at Law, 475-3425
-Rachel Carter, Public Relations, 425-4886
And The Winner Of One Free Month of High-Speed Internet Service Is…
Congratulations Thomas Powell
for being this month’s winner of one-free month of high-speed Internet service. Thomas’s name was chosen at random from customers who completed our monthly Green Mountain Access technical support surveys.
Each month, one name is selected at random from customers who completed our online technical support or new user surveys. Survey requests are sent out via e-mail to customers after calling technical support, or establishing new service. So be sure to fill out those surveys! |
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| Surfer Beware – Facebook Users Facing SPAM Attacks
The widely popular social networking site, Facebook, now has more than 175 million active users with the fastest growing demographic being those 30 years old and older. Perhaps you're one of the many Facebook users that recently received spam containing subjects like the following:
- An invitation to lunch by a family
- Your reported violation of Facebook's Terms of Service
- A link to a video of dancing girls
Take a look at one example of these fraudulent e-mail messages below:
http://www.cornerstonenow.com/newsletter/section-a/2009/09-04facebookspam.jpg
These spoofed Facebook messages contain links to websites that try to prompt recipients into installing a malicious application. If you receive e-mail messages like this, DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK. Instead, simply delete them. Also make sure you have a firewall installed, and keep your antivirus and antispyware software up to date.
Facebook actively works to stop spam related to their site and to bring legal action against the spammers. In addition, Facebook has security experts and engineers focused on the integrity of the site and continues to build systems to prevent and respond to spam attacks. They recommend that Facebook users report spam by using the links located throughout their website.
E-mail Scam – Beware Of “Stimulus Payment” IRS E-mail Scam.
Don't believe it if you get an e-mail that appears to be from the Internal Revenue Service saying you're due for a stimulus payment. According to the IRS, it's part of the latest tax-related phishing scam designed to get personal information from you such as bank account or Social Security numbers. These e-mails, often bearing the IRS letterhead, tell users they must fill out and submit a form in order for the stimulus payment to be processed. The message then says to follow a link to a website or to complete an attached document.
Remember, the IRS does NOT send unsolicited e-mail about tax account matters to taxpayers. Should you receive an e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, DO NOT REPLY, CLICK ON ANY LINKS, OR PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. Users receiving these fraudulent IRS e-mails are encouraged to forward the message and the website URL to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. After you forward the e-mail, delete the message.
If the IRS ever needs to contact you about a tax refund or audit, they will do so by traditional mail. When you need to access the IRS website to get information or download forms, initiate contact by typing the http://www.IRS.gov address into your browser window.
For more about reporting and identifying IRS e-mail scams, go to:
http://www.irs.gov/privacy/article/0,,id=179820,00.html?portlet=5
Ask The Help Desk – What Does The “S” In “HTTPS” Stand For?
Question: I've noticed that some website addresses begin with "http" and others with "https." What does that "s" stand for and does it mean anything to me as a user?
Answer: The acronym HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol
Secure. The word "secure" refers to the fact that HTTPS uses a secure socket layer (SSL) for security purposes when transferring data. Some examples of sites that use HTTPS include banking and investment websites, e-commerce websites, and most websites that require you to log in.
Websites that use the standard HTTP protocol transmit and receive data in an unsecured manner. This means it's possible for someone to eavesdrop on the data being transferred between the user and the Web server. By contrast, secure websites use the HTTPS protocol to encrypt the data being sent back and forth with SSL encryption. If someone were to capture the data being transferred via HTTPS, it would be unrecognizable.
You can tell if a website is secure by viewing the address field of your Web browser. If the Web address starts with "https://," you know that you're accessing a secure website. Most browsers will also display a lock icon somewhere along the edge of the window to indicate the website that you are currently visiting is secure. You can click the lock icon to view the secure certificate that authenticates the website.
Whenever you're asked to enter personal or financial information on a website, make sure that the URL starts with "https://" and that the lock icon appears in the window.
SHORT TUTORIAL – Setting Up Automatic E-mail Message Delivery
Do you have to click on the "Send/Receive" button to obtain your messages when starting up your e-mail program? Perhaps they used to be automatically delivered but after you upgraded your e-mail program, this feature was no longer operating. Follow the steps below to have your e-mail messages automatically delivered at startup:
Setting Up Automatic Message Delivery When Using ...
- E-mail Program: Outlook Express 6
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP
1. With Outlook Express open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" from the menu bar and select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. The Options window will open. While on the "General" tab, and within the "Send/Receive Messages" section, check the box next to "Send and receive messages at startup."
3. Click on the "Apply" button to save your changes and then click on the "OK" button to close the Options window.
Setting Up Automatic Message Delivery When Using ...
- E-mail Program: Windows Mail
- Computer Operating System: Windows Vista
1. With Windows Mail open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" from the menu bar and select "Options..." from the resulting drop-down menu.
2. The Options window will open. While on the "General" tab, and within the "Send/Receive Messages" section, check the box next to "Send and receive messages at startup."
3. Click on the "Apply" button to save your changes and then click on the "OK" button to close the Options window.
Setting Up Automatic Message Delivery When Using ...
- E-mail Program: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0
- Computer Operating System: Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X 10.5
1. With Thunderbird open, click your cursor arrow on "Tools" from the menu bar and select "Account Settings..." from the resulting drop- down menu.
2. The Account Settings window (Local Folders window on the Mac) will open. Under your account located on the left side of the window, click on "Server Settings." You will now see several server setting options on the right side of the window.
3. In the "Server Settings" section, check the box next to "Check for new messages at startup."
4. Click on the "OK" button to save your changes and close the Account Settings window. |
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Ake’s Den - Waitsfield
 The long-awaited Akes’ Den is finally open for business and features quality pub fare in an atmosphere that everyone will enjoy! Mark and Melissa Akey, longtime Sugarbush and Mad River Glen skiers also own Akes’ Place on Church Street in Burlington. The Valley restaurant is family friendly and the bar area boasts multiple large screen HDTV’s showing all the major sporting venues. Located at the junction of Route 100 and 17 in Waitsfield, they are open daily for lunch and dinner and fare in between. You can reach them at 496-9000.
Vermont Chiropractic & Sports Therapy - Hinesburg
A fifth generation Vermonter raised in Hinesburg, Dr. Travis M. Hart owns and operates this unique chiropractic clinic. Dr. Travis M. Hart and wife Dr. Sarah Harkins Hart prides themselves in offering conservative, evidence-based and patient centered care for people of all ages. It is an all-encompassing clinic for spine, extremities, sports and soft tissue care. Specializing in chiropractic, manual and adjunctive therapies, rehabilitation, sports performance care and nutritional wellness. They are located at 22 Commerce Street
in Hinesburg and are open Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. You can reach them at 482-4476 or visit them on the web at www.vtchirosports.com.
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Mad River Valley Egg Hunt - April 4 - Waitsfield
The annual Mad River Valley Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 4. The egg hunt will start promptly at 10:00 am. Refreshments will be available beginning at 9:30 am. Once again, the event will be held at the Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom business office located on Route 100. The egg hunt is open to children of all ages and is free of charge. For more information, please contact Lorraine Keener at 496-3391 or via e-mail at lkeener@wcvt.com.
Middlebury Community Wind Ensemble – April 5 – Middlebury
The Middlebury Community Wind Ensemble, a concert band of 45 wind and percussion instrumentalists, has been making music for a dozen years. This concert features soprano Susanne Peck singing two love songs by Gustav Mahler. Also on the program is the First Suite by Gustav Holst, a fanfare by Paul Dukas, and music by contemporary American band composers. 3:00 PM, April 5 at the Mahaney Center for the Arts, Concert Hall, Middlebury College.
eWaste Recycling Event – April 18 – South Burlington
Recycle your old, broken, and obsolete electronics for FREE on April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the 3rd Annual Small Dog Electronics eWaste Recycling Event. The even will take place at the South Burlington High School (main lot) on Dorset Street. All computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, cell phones, stereo equipment, telephones, VCRs, televisions, old cables, connectors, and adapters. THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL COLLECTION EVENT ONLY. NO BUSINESS LOADS WILL BE ACCEPTED. This year’s event is brought to you by Small Dog Electronics in partnership with Ben & Jerry’s, Green Mountain Coffee, SymQuest, Seventh Generation, Chittenden Bank, Chroma Technology, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, CSWD, Hall Communications, PMG and WeRecycle. For more information, click here.
WCVT Technology Open House – May 16 - Waitsfield
On Saturday May 16, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom will be holding a Technology Open House at our office on Route 100 in Waitsfield. Bring the whole family to see the latest in technology, products and services and a little bit of history. There will be technology demonstrations, fiber-optic demos, splicing, pole climbing, and more. Free food and giveaways! Please contact Lorraine Keener, at 496-8379 or via e-mail at lkeener@wcvt.com with any questions. We hope you to see you at the open house.
To have your community event listed here, simply send an e-mail to newsletter@greenmountainaccess.net with "Community Event" as the subject. Our e-newsletter is typically published the second week of each month. |
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| Credit Care
http://helpwithmycredit.org - Help With My Credit provides information to assist and educate consumers struggling with debt. Their website features helpful, easy-to-understand advice for those having trouble keeping up with payments. Topics include managing credit wisely, credit card basics, credit card features, understanding your credit score, reading your statement, and credit counseling. If you don't find what you need, check out the additional resources and links.
LOC Online
http://loc.gov - Love to learn? Then you will love this site. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world with millions of books and other media in its collections. The online collection contained in this site is also vast. Highlights include learning games and activities, a "wise guide" that shows you what's available, a performing arts encyclopedia, "places in the news," and webcasts featuring musicians, poets, and more.
CenterWatch
http://centerwatch.com - Do you or someone you care about have a serious medical condition? Have you wondered if there's a way to keep up with the research about treatments for it? This site may provide the answers. It offers news, directories, analysis, and proprietary market research on clinical research for a variety of conditions. You will find a database of clinical trials, a subscription service for notifications, a list of recently approved drugs, and a collection of additional resources.
Rachael Ray Recipes
http://rachaelray.com - Rachael Ray, popular TV host and cookbook author, is known for her warmth, energy, and boundless curiosity. Ray is also famous for her 30-minute meals and you can find lots of quick and easy recipes on her site. Now that the weather is getting nicer, check out the Spring Fever section for recipes that let you spend less time at the stove and more time outside playing. |
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