The Internet is a rapidly changing medium that can provide you and your family with a wealth of valuable information on virtually any topic. Because the Internet is so interactive, it is important to make sure it is used as a tool, without exposing your family to unwanted information. We hope you will find our "Security" and "For Family" information helpful.

Upgrading Your Web Browser
Like everything that has to do with the Internet, Web browsers don't stay the same for long. They're always releasing new upgrades, options and features designed to make your life easier. Plus, most Web sites are designed to operate using the most recent browser versions. Translation: you may not be able to access new Web sites if you don't keep up.

It's easy to upgrade your browser. And in most cases it's also free. Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape make their browsers available on their Web sites. To download them, visit the addresses below. The entire process only takes a few minutes. But the rewards are well worth it.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ (Microsoft Internet Explorer)

http://browsers.netscape.com/browsers/main.tmpl (Netscape)

The Internet is a powerful medium, making it important for each of us to be knowledgeable and aware. It is also necessary to practice safe behavior while accessing e-mail and the Internet. Akeva has provided links to some top-rated Family and Parental Control Protection Sites, and we encourage you and your family to discuss Internet security, privacy, and safe practice issues. Visit the "For the Family" section to learn more.

We wish it weren't so, but computer viruses continue to make big trouble for all kinds of computer users - at work as well as at home. Many viruses enter your system via Internet downloads and e-mail attachments. A good rule of thumb is to never, ever open a document or attachment sent from someone you don't know. Delete the e-mail immediately. A variety of anti-virus software options are available to help keep your computer safe, too. Virus-removal downloads can be used in the event of a virus to repair your system.

http://www.symantec.com/ - Anti-virus software, virus-removal downloads, security updates, and other information related to computer viruses.

http://www.mcafee.com/anti-virus/default.asp - Virus news, regional virus information, virus support, a database of information on known viruses, a virus calendar, anti-virus tips, and anti-virus products.

Your computer usually has the ability to process data very quickly within its own shell. However, when your computer needs to communicate with other computers, as is the case when you connect with the Internet, it needs to use devices that interpret or communicate the data that is being sent and listen to the data that is being received. This communication is called modulation and de-modulation. This process usually takes place through devices called modems.

The modems themselves are a bottleneck of the speed your computer is capable of to begin with. However, inadequate or "noisy" phone lines and older equipment or software may also add to a slower connection problem. Your modem, when connected to the Internet or when retrieving e-mail, is talking to another modem at your Internet Service Provider called a RAS or Remote Access Server. A RAS is simply a bank of individual modems. Modems are separate devices from your computer's main processor (even if it is internally installed in your machine) and are usually rated by the speed they are capable of. For example, a 24 Kbps modem will only be able to communicate with another modem at 24,000 bytes per second.

For the noisy or inadequate phone lines there is not much you can do other than request that the phone company check out the quality of signal. Many rural telephone facilities may not be as updated as they could be, so it wouldn't hurt to request their help.

The software that allows your computer to talk to your modem is called a driver. From time to time modem manufacturers make changes to the driver software that operates your modems. This new driver software allows your modem to talk to other manufacture's modems or to simplify the operations necessary to communicate - all of which will speed up your connection.

At Akeva, we make it part of our value to continue to update our RAS server and its driver software so that all the new modems on the market today can communicate at their maximum speed. However, the modems that have been out there for awhile may not be at their potential . Unless you have checked lately, your modem may not be operating at its peak level.

1) First, determine the manufacturer and model number of your modem. The following site can provide you with several step-by-step ways to check:

http://www.56k.com/trouble/noname.shtml.

2) Once you've identified the company that makes your modem, you need to find their Web site to see if they have downloads to upgrade your driver. Often these downloads are free. A good place to start is: http://www.56k.com/links/V90_Upgrades/.

3) If your modem was pre-installed when you purchased your computer, the computer manufacturer may have the drivers you're looking for. Check their Web site and look for a section on downloads or driver upgrades.

If the above steps don't work for you, contact Akeva at 1-866-462-5382 for additional information.

Akeva knows that security and privacy are the most important concerns regarding the Internet. We encourage our members to educate themselves and develop their own standards and guidelines for safe online browsing. These practices should be discussed with family members and friends. Please take a moment to read about some of these important security issues, such as e-mail, computer viruses, browser security, encryption, credit card purchasing, cookies, and more.

Update and download the most current version for your browser. Web browsers contain security features that are your first line of defense against crime. Browsers can encrypt (code) information you send to Web sites, making it difficult for criminals to intercept and read. As technology advances, browser makers continue to add security features to their programs.

Make sure you know and understand the security limitations and/or features of your browser. The latest browsers can give you an extra level of security -- but only if you know how to use them properly. Browsers offer varying degrees of security, particularly in regard to encryption, such as:

Some browsers allow you to encrypt information, so that the information is scrambled as it passes over the Internet.
Some browsers offer more secure forms of encryption than other browsers.

Even the same version of a browser can come with different levels of encryption (Netscape Communicator 4.7, for example, comes with either 56-bit standard encryption or the more secure 128-bit encryption).

Everything that travels through the Internet, including your e-mail and your passwords, can be "viewed" by processing stations that are scattered throughout the World Wide Web (WWW). Encryption is a process that takes your words and messages, and then creates a string of unrecognizable numbers before allowing your message to enter the Internet. Both Akeva's computers and the browser you use to surf the Web understand the mathematical formulas, called algorithms, that turn your online session into numeric code and back again to meaningful information that you can read and understand.

It's a good idea to change your password every three months. Think of it when you take your car in for an oil change. When you choose a password, choose it carefully. It's important that you select a password that is not easily connected to you or your family. Try to avoid names of pets, family members, street names or any "name" at all. The best (most secure) passwords are created by combining letters and numbers, and by using a combination of upper case and lower case letters. Never leave your password in an unprotected place where people can see it, and do not give your password to another person.

Secure servers provide a safe, online environment for making purchases with a credit card. If you don't see a secure socket layer (SSL) lock icon or the letter "S" at the end of the http: (https) at the top of your browser, you are not at a site that has a secure server. If you're considering a credit card purchase online, and you're not on a secure server, you may want to consider calling the vendor instead. Almost every Web vendor provides a telephone number.

Since the Internet is continuously connecting and "shaking hands" with the rest of the online world, it has been compared to the world's largest Petri Dish for creating and spreading computer viruses. Computer viruses are contracted and spread in ways very similar to human viruses. You can catch a computer virus by opening an infected file, (an e-mail or an e-mail attachment, a Word Document, etc); downloading an infected program from the Internet; or by placing an infected disk into your computer. Once you have a virus, you'll know it. It spreads quickly and can sometimes cause damage to your files and hard drive. Another unfortunate aspect of viruses is that you can spread them to thousands of people unintentionally, without ever knowing it.

There are several top-rated software programs available for all types of computers. One of the more popular (for PCs only) is McAffee. McAffee is a software development company dedicated to providing safe technology for wireless services, PCs, handheld devices, and much more.

Cookies operate similarly to bookmarks, but rather than you creating and storing the bookmark on your browser, a cookie is placed on your computer's hard drive to provide certain Web sites with information about you. Cookies usually pick information such as where you've been while surfing the Web, and what your name, address, and zip code are. Sounds invasive, but the data is used by marketing departments to track your buying and browsing habits, just like when a sales clerk asks for your zip code at the cash register.

Nothing is more important than the safety of your family, especially when it comes to the Internet. Akeva is committed to informing its members of the most current safety and family protection software on the market today. We encourage all of our members to be knowledgeable, aware, and to practice safe behavior while accessing e-mail and the Internet. Akeva has provided links to these top-rated Family and Parental Control Protection Sites, and we encourage you and your family to discuss Internet security, privacy, and safe practice issues.

Bess ® - Internet Filtering Service
N2H2 employs a full-time staff to compile its extensive database of inappropriate sites with a combination of technology and human processes.

Cyber Patrol ®
Cyber Patrol is Internet filtering software used to manage Internet access, limit the total time spent online and block access to Internet sites that users deem inappropriate. A free trial download of the software is available at this site.

Cyber Sentinal
This is aunique, proactive model for analyzing, monitoring, filtering, and blocking undesirable, predatory, and sexually explicit computer traffic.

CYBERsitter ™
CYBERsitter is a Windows program designed to keep kids from accessing objectionable material.

Cyber Snoop
This provides software tools for Internet monitoring, control, and document protection.

FamilyCAM®
FamilyCAM is apowerful new tool for parents who want to teach their children about responsible usage of the home computer and the Internet. With FamilyCAM, you can set usage guidelines for your children then easily review what they do, even if you can’t be present.

NetNanny™
This is a filtering software for your PC that protects children from the worst of the Internet and provides peace of mind when using your PC.

Ask Jeeves Kids
This is a Filtered Search engine for K-12 from the premier Education Resource Center for students, featuring a powerful filtered Search engine, a directory of educational sites, reference tools, and other resources.

SurfWatch®
SurfWatch is Internet content filtering, monitoring and blocking software for parental control, educational institutions and corporate businesses.

Watchdog
This allows parents, cyber cafes and libraries to monitor and/or restrict the amount of computer time and usage for children or other computer users.