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We've filled this May issue with information you need to know as well as fun ideas you'll want to know. First, there's a warning that hackers are now compromising legitimate websites to launch attacks, along with tips on what to do to help protect your computer. Keep reading to understand the difference between freeware and shareware, and learn how to remove contacts from your e-mail address book. Our Great Sites section offers ways to help you enjoy spring even more - including a new action flick, RV vacation pointers, and recipes for grilling.
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, Colby, Eric,
Kris, Richard, Scott, and Tom |
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Important Information Regarding Your Webmail Account
Effective May 20th 2008, we will begin performing routine cleanups to remove age specific messages from the “Trash” and “Sent Mail” folders on your webmail account. This change will have no impact on users who do not send / receive email via the Green Mountain Access Webmail system. This change is designed to help reduce e-mail delivery problems caused by user mailboxes being full. Only the following Webmail messages will be impacted by this change in system maintenance:
Trash: All e-mail older then 90 days will be removed.
Sent Mail: All e-mail older then 180 days (6 months) will be removed.
For the highest level of e-mail reliability and for those who want to save messages for extended periods of time, we recommend that you don’t use webmail (Squirrelmail) as your primary e-mail client. We recommend using an email software client such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird. Please don’t hesitate to contact Technical Support at 1-888-321-0815 with any questions you may have.
Richard Pitonyak
Green Mountain Access
Technical Support Supervisor
Alert - Scam E-mail Sent To Some GMA Customers
Several Green Mountain Access Internet customers have reported receiving an e-mail asking them to verify their account information with us. The subject lines reads, “Confirm Your E-mail Address.” This is a fraudulent email and was not sent by Green Mountain Access. If you received this email or one similar to it, please delete it immediately and do not provide the sender with any information. If you have replied to the message, please contact our Tech Support team at 1-888-321-0815.
An e-mail of this nature is typically a scam called “phishing.” They are sent by Internet fraudsters who send "official" looking spam e-mail to try to lure personal information. Green Mountain Access will not ask for this information via email. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Tech Support team.
Important Information For WCVT Voice Mail Subscribers - Converting To New System On May 20th
Great news, we have just completed the installation of a new Voice Mail system which offers many new features. With the new system, you will be able to access your Voice Mail via the web and a new E-mail Notification feature will allow you to send Voice Mail messages to your e-mail account. Best of all, your monthly charge for your new enhanced Voice Mail service will remain the same.
You will be receiving a letter next week outlining important steps that must be done prior to conversion on May 20th. Once you review the letter and conversion instructions, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department at 800-496-3391 with any additional questions you may have.
Stop By And Say Hi At The Vermont Business And Industry Expo on May 21 And 22
The Vermont Business Expo is scheduled for May 21 & 22, at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont. EXPO is northern New England's largest business-to-business trade show attracting over 3,000 business leaders and hosting nearly 200 exhibitors. As in previous years, EXPO 2008 promises the same  great networking events and a fantastic line up of seminars, meal events and award presentations. In addition, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom will be sponsoring the free networking reception on Wednesday, May 21, at 5 p.m. where you can mingle, meet and relax with your colleagues. Entrance into the tradeshow and reception is free as long as you pre-register on or before May 16. After that point, please use our Exhibitor Customer Coupon below to receive free entrance. Register online at www.vtexpo.com.
Memorial Day Holiday Hours
Our Customer Service and Local Tech Support business offices will be closed on Monday, May 26th in recognition of Memorial Day. Walk-in service will not be available. We do recognize that our local Tech Support service is important to our customers, therefore, we will still be available locally via telephone from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please don't hesitate to call if you need assistance. As always, you can reach us at: (802) 496-8598 or Toll Free (888) 321-0815.
Donors Come Out To Donate 82 Pints At WCVT Red Cross Blood Drive Exceeding Goal
 On March 26, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom sponsored a Red Cross blood drive at their main business office in Waitsfield, Vermont. According to Eric Haskin, Network Director for WCVT and event organizer, “The goal for the blood drive was 70 pints, and we exceeded that goal with a total of 82 pints of blood being donated for the day. I would like to personally thank everyone who donated blood, or volunteered to help make the event a success.
Job Opportunity At Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom is currently looking for a Customer Service/Sales Associate. Click here to view the full employment listing.
Deadline For The Waterbury Community Telephone Directory Is May 23
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom is currently in the process of finalizing information for the 2008-2009 Waterbury Community Telephone Directory. The deadline for changes is May 23. Local businesses are asked to review their current yellow page advertisements and listings. The telephone directory is published annually and is distributed to approximately 10,000 households, businesses and state offices throughout Waterbury. For yellow page advertising information, please contact Alan Jones at 496-8328 or mail to: ajones@wcvt.com.
And the Winner of One Free Month of DSL Service is…
Congratulations William Gregorek for being this month’s winner of one-free month of high-speed DSL service. William’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 – Hackers Now Compromising Legitimate Websites
In the past, users had to visit intentionally malicious websites or click on spam e-mail attachments to become a victim of a security threat. Now hackers are starting to compromise legitimate sites and use them as a distribution medium to attack home and enterprise computers. Symantec, a leading cybersecurity firm, recently reported that it detected 711,912 such threats last year, compared with 125,243 in 2006.
According to Symantec, the attacks are particularly targeting sites that are likely to be trusted by end users. These include major search engines like Google, browsers like Mozilla, and social networking sites like Facebook. In the case of Google, hackers use a chink in Google's site to redirect unsuspecting PC users to sites tainted with malware. This enables them to use the PCs to spread spam and carry out scams. Typically, it also lets the hackers embed a keystroke logger to collect passwords and other sensitive data. Google is working on new tools to detect and block malicious Web pages.
To protect your computer, we strongly encourage our Internet customers to be diligent about security and regularly update your antivirus software. New viruses and worms are discovered daily and can be spread many ways – over networks, through attachments, through even legitimate websites, via devices connected to your computer, and by storage media such as Zip drives and CDs. Remember to also scan all file attachments of incoming e-mail messages, even messages from people you trust. You have the ultimate responsibility for protecting your computer against these threats.
Ask The Help Desk – What Do The Terms “Freeware” And “Shareware” Mean?
Question: I've heard the terms "freeware" and "shareware" used to describe software programs. What exactly do these terms mean?
Answer: Freeware is software that is made available by its originator for unlimited use by anyone at no charge. By contrast, shareware is software that is freely distributed but for which the author expects payment from people who decide to keep the software after a trial period and continue to use it. Freeware and shareware are widely available online in many different software categories.
Before you download anything, however, research the website and software to make sure both are reputable. You should also have antivirus software installed on your computer and keep it updated.
Short Tutorial – Removing Contacts From Your Address Book
Let's face it - the people in our personal and professional lives come and go. If your e-mail address book is cluttered with names from inactive relationships, you're wasting time wading through an unnecessarily long list. To remove contact information from your address book, follow the steps below for your specific e-mail program:
Removing Contacts From Your Address Book When Using Outlook Express 6 and Windows XP SP2 Home Edition
1. With Outlook Express 6 open, click your cursor arrow on the "Addresses" button located on the toolbar.
2. Click on the contact you want to delete. (The contact's name will be highlighted when you click on it.)
3. Click on the "Delete" button located on the toolbar.
4. The Address Book - Main Identity dialogue box will appear asking if you are sure you want to permanently delete the selected item. Click the "Yes" button.
5. Close the Address Book - Main Identity dialogue box by clicking on the red "X" in the upper right-hand corner. The selected contact is now deleted.
Removing Contacts From Your Address Book When Using Thunderbird 1.5 and Macintosh OS X 10.4, Windows XP SP2 Home Edition, or Windows Vista Home Premium
1. With Thunderbird open, click your cursor arrow on the "Address Book" button located on the toolbar.
2. Click on the contact you want to delete. (The contact's name will be highlighted when you click on it.)
3. Click the "Delete" button located on the toolbar. The selected contact is now deleted.
Removing Contacts From Your Address Book 4.0.4 When Using Mail 2.1.1 On Macintosh OS 10.4.9
1. With Address Book open, click your cursor arrow on the "All" icon in the "Group" field.
2. Click on the entry you want to delete in the "Name" field to select it. (The contact's name will be highlighted when you click on it.)
3. Click on the "Edit" menu and select "Delete Card" from the drop-down menu. The selected contact is now deleted.
Removing Contacts From Windows Contacts (Address Book) When Using Windows Mail and Windows Vista Home Premium
1. With Windows Mail open, click your cursor arrow on the "Contacts" button located on the toolbar.
2. Select the contact you want to delete. (The contact's name will be highlighted.)
3. Click on the "Delete" button located on the toolbar.
4. The Delete File dialogue box will appear asking if you are sure you want to move this file to the Recycle Bin.
5. Click the "Yes" button. The deleted contact will be moved to the Recycle Bin where it will remain until the bin is manually emptied. |
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VYCC East Monitor Barn Project & Community Celebration – May 8
On May 8, 2008 at 6pm, The VYCC, Richmond Land Trust, Richmond Area Business Association, Richmond Historical Society and the Richmond Creative Communities are co-convening a public forum regarding this property. There will be site tours, refreshments, and an informational meeting aimed at giving the community the chance to help envision the programmatic uses for the property. The West Monitor Barn is located two miles east of Richmond on Route 2. Refreshments will be served and the event is open to the public.
Hinesburg Community Yard Sale Day – May 17
The Hinesburg Business and Professional Association will sponsor the 11th annual Hinesburg Community Yard Sale on Saturday, May 17 from 8am – 1pm. The community sale site will be the Hinesburg Fire Hall on Route 116. In addition, Hinesburg residents will also hold sales at their homes and businesses. Maps will be available listing the various yard sales located throughout town. For more information, contact Jeanne Wilson at 482-3767 or via email at jwilson@gmavt.net.
Waitsfield Farmers' Market Begins - May 17
It’s that time of year again, and every Saturday through October 18, you can find fresh produce, flowers, seedlings, honey, wool, eggs, meat, cheese and other farm products. In addition you can find crafts made in Vermont, baked goods, and prepared food and live entertainment. Saturdays from 9am-1pm on the Mad River Green in Waitsfield. For more information visit www.waitsfieldfarmersmarket.com.
Baked Beads Factory Sale – May 23-25
Visit the huge factory sale and receive below-wholesale prices on previous season’s collections, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, toe rings, and displays, as well as the latest hair accessories, scarves, belts, beads, reading & sun glasses, eyeglass chains, umbrellas, and more. Friday, May 23, 2008 - Sunday, May 25, 2008 from 10am-5pm. Route 100 at 46 Carroll Road, Waitsfield (next to the Big Picture Theater). Visit www.bakedbeads.com for more information.
Community Camp Fundraiser - Richmond, June 6
Fundraiser in Richmond for the Community Camp. Please join us on June 6, 2008 at 6:30pm for a fun evening for the whole Family: Bingo, Raffle and Silent Auction at Camels Hump Elementary School benefiting a camp for underprivileged children. Glorious prizes: balloon ride, skydiving, savings bonds, children's toys and certificates for restaurants, massages and various local businesses. For more information or to donate a prize contact Diane Kane at 434-2461.
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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| Indiana Jones is Back
http://IndianaJones.com - The fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise comes to the big screen this month nearly two decades after the last one. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull boasts all the action that fans have come to expect, from car chases to Indiana Jones wielding his trademark bullwhip. The film stars Harrison Ford and is led by famous filmmakers George Lucas as executive producer and a writer, and Steven Spielberg as director. Get a sneak peak here and enjoy classic clips from previous installments.
Making Sense of Dollars
http://finance.yahoo.com/how-to-guide/index - With the rising costs of today's economy, it's more important than ever to make smart moves with your money. Check out this comprehensive How-to Guide on the Yahoo! Financial site for lots of practical tips and online tools. From advice on how to get out of debt to savings ideas for college, there's a wealth of information at your fingertips.
Race Around the Indy 500
http://Indy500.com - The theme of the 92nd Indianapolis 500 is "Fuel the Dream." No wonder, since this is definitely a sporting event that many dream of competing in (or simply attending). This year's field of 33 starting drivers on May 25 will include a history-making driver: Illinois native Danica Patrick captured the Indy Japan 300 title in April, making her the first woman to win an IndyCar race. Do a few laps around this site to see updates on the practice runs, review race history, get ticket information, and read the personal "500" stories of other fans.
Get Grilling
http://weber.com/bbq/pub/recipe - The Weber name has become synonymous with grilling. Before you fire up the grill for the warm weather season ahead, go straight to the source for lots of expert advice and new recipe ideas. To keep the inspiration coming for weekend parties, sign up to receive the Recipe of the Week each Friday.
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