ARK Systems Newsletter July 2000

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IN THIS ISSUE: OUTLOOK AND INTERNET EXPLORER UPDATES
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MORE ON VIRUSES -
Boy, wouldn't it be nice to get off THIS subject? Unfortunately, we can't just yet. As everyone knows by now, there have been several successful virus attacks using Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer. These programs have been targeted mostly because of their open architecture and their massive market share, but other browsers and email programs could just as easily be targeted in the future. The best solution is to use an up-to-date virus protection program on EVERY computer AND load security Updates and Patches that vendors release for their products.

Microsoft has recently released major updates to both Outlook 2000 and Internet Explorer 5.0 which stop many email worms dead in their tracks. The updated Outlook patch does not allow an email to open your address book. It can also block attachments like EXEs, VBS (the love bug), etc. from entering your computer. Of course, most of these jokes and files are safe fun, but these days, you can't be too careful. So much for the good old days, eh?

We highly recommend you load the following patches:
Internet Explorer 5.0 - With your browser open, select Help from the menu, and choose About Internet Explorer. You probably have a Version # of 5.00.2919.6307 or something like that. If there is nothing that says SP1 (Service Pack 1), you should upgrade. To do this, point your browser to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and click on Product Updates. You can load either the Critical Security updates, Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 1 (SP1), or Internet Explorer 5.5. If you work at a large company, ask your IS department which they recommend. We are currently using IE 5.5 with no problems.

If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer, you also might want to consider updating. The older versions do not offer Secure Sockets and other features required for on-line shopping and banking. The Product Updates page should check your system and notify you what needs to be downloaded to perform this update. But be aware that the new versions require LOTS more disk space.

Microsoft Outlook - The IE Updates fix security issues for Outlook Express. If you use Outlook, you still need one more patch.  With Outlook open, select Help from the menu and choose About Microsoft Outlook. If the First line does not say Microsoft Outlook SR1 before the version number, it's time to update. This time, go to http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/downloadCatalog/dldoutlook.asp .  This page has links to Outlook 2000 and Outlook 98 updates.

OUTLOOK TRICKS AND TIPS
Most people now have email programs that support HTML.  This allows you to send and view documents with graphics and fancy fonts. If you often get email with strange attachments, this may be because you do not have HTML configured on in your email program.  To set this up, select Tools from the Outlook menu. Then choose Options. Now click the Mail Format Tab and change Message Format to HTML. This is also the place where you can set up automatic signatures and stationary (a simple way to add some pizzazz to your emails). You might want to play with these too.

Another useful tool Outlook has is the Rules Wizard.  Rules allow you to automatically forward email to another address when you are away, move mail from certain senders to different folders, automatically delete junk mail,  automatically print specific emails, and so on.  Definitely worth looking in to.

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