The Sircam worm has been in the news lately, including Tech Live: http://www.techtv.com/news/story/0,24195,3338667,00.html.

Be sure to protect yourself from worm and viruses. For help with the Sircam worm, read this article by Darci Wood: http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/answerstips/story/0,23008,3338525,00.html

Read this article for more on protecting yourself from worms and viruses: http://www.techtv.com/help/internet/story/0,23008,3007129,00.html

Be sure to update Microsoft Outlook. The update will prevent you from opening dangerous email attachements. Download the update here: http://www.microsoft.com/office/outlook/default.htm

Satellite ISP

Joseph from Madenville, CA is thinking about subscribing to a satellite ISP, but wants to know a little bit more before making a decision.

There are currently two major providers for satellite access: + StarBand at http://www.starband.com + DirectPC at http://www.directpc.com/Index.asp

Both offer two-fast traffic (upload and downloads). Both have good download speeds (up to three times modem speed), but slow upload speeds.

The one major thing you might need to consider is that satellite is not good for fast-action games. The latency gets in the way of performance, and the speed can't keep up with the game. If you like shooters and other games that are fast paced, you don't want satellite.

If you can get DSL or cable, go for it. If you're in an area outside of DSL and cable, satellite is a very good solution.

Read this review of StarBand by LabRat James Kim: http://www.techtv.com/freshgear/reviews/story/0,23008,2182556,00.html

John Navas wrote an article about the myth of satellite ISP: http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/projects/story/0,23008,3323993,00.html

***How the Internet works

Matthew from Villa Rica, GA, wants to know how the Internet works.

The Internet is essentially a very large network. You have service providers that work the main backbone of the Internet. Then ISPs work certain parts of that backbone to provide service to consumers.

If you're interested in looking at the geography of the Internet, visit the Atlas of Cyberspace: http://www.cybergeography.com.

For a complete explanation of how the Internet works: http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/projects/story/0,23008,2174009,00.html.

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2001

Answers

WINDOWS KEY SHORTCUTS Put the Windows key on your keyboard to good use with these shortcuts. http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/answerstips/story/0,23008,2598636,00 .html

MAC NETWORKING Set up a small Mac network using an Ethernet hub and cables. http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/answerstips/story/0,23008,3342593,00 .html

MASTER FRAMED SITES Take control of framed websites with this Web tip. http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/answerstips/story/0,23008,3304125,00 .html

FREE SUB-DOMAIN NAMES Get rid of long URLs with this webware tip. http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/webworkshop/story/0,23008,3332819,00 .html

-- Anonymous, August 18, 2001