by Arie Slob

Dear Windows-Help.NET Subscriber, Computer security experts are warning that as the January 1 2000 date approaches, we will see an increase in the number of Y2K (Year 2000) related viruses and hoaxes. There are Y2K viruses who use the 1 January 2000 date as a trigger for their malicious payloads, programs that gain entry to your system posing as Year 200 solutions (Trojan Horses), and Y2K related hoaxes. Last week we were notified by Microsoft of a Trojan Horse, send in an e-mail purporting to be a free Microsoft Year 2000 countdown clock. Here is the text resembling the e-mail: From: support@microsoft.com Subject: Microsoft Announcement Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 23:37:05 +0200 To All Microsoft Users, We are excited to announce the Microsoft Year 2000 Counter. Start the countdown NOW. Let us all get in the 21 Century. Let us lead the way to the future and we will get YOU there FASTER and SAFER. Thank you, Microsoft Corporation Attached is a file with such names as Y2KCOUNT.EXE, Count2K.exe, or other names. If launched, the virus program replaces the Wsock32.dll file on the user's local system, with a Trojan version that gives the user the unknown ability to send fake messages. The Wsock32.dll file is essential for Net connection. The Trojan also steals user identifications and passwords. Optimizing Microsoft Word 2000 This Microsoft Knowledge Base Article offers some detailed advice on the following toppics: Use Disk Defragmenter to Speed Up Your Hard Disk Optimize Virtual Memory Use Set Your Computer to Use Fewer Fonts Consider Setting Your Display Monitor to Use Only 256 Colors Work with Word and Files on Uncompressed Drives Work with Files on a Local Hard Disk Drive Turn Off "Use Printer Metrics to Lay Out Document" to Improve     Scrolling Speed Don't Use Wallpaper on a Low-Memory Computer Use Background Saves Turn Off Background Spelling and Grammar Checking Use Word 97-2000 Converter Instead of Saving to Word for     Windows 95 or Word 6.0 for Windows Change the View in Word and View Settings Adjust Your System to Speed Up Printing Turn Off Outlook Journaling Change the Windows Desktop Themes Turn Off the Mouse Scheme Increase BitMapMemory Increase Cache Size Speed Up Downloading Web Pages by Not Generating Graphics     Images You'll find over 300 free catalogs at the Catalogs Resources Center. Use this free service to quickly locate the catalogs that have the products you want. You may select your catalogs by category, or simply search by entering a catalog name, product or brand. There's no obligation and there's no charge for using the Catalog Request Center.

What's new in Windows 2000 RC2?
Microsoft has posted a detailed explanation of new additions to Windows 2000 RC2 (Release Candidate 2) on their Windows 2000 Beta Web site. The site overviews everything from security to multimedia changes. In addition, Microsoft has updated the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for RC2. Microsoft has begun accepting orders for the new release.

IomegaWare™ 2.0 Preview

IomegaWare 2.0 has arrived as a single application that allows Windows® users quick and convenient access to Iomega® Zip® drives, all available Iomega software, online help, and links to promotions and updates on Iomega.com. Download IomegaWare 2.0 and maximize your Zip drive by having your information and applications right at your fingertips. It's all new and optimized for you.

Note: Use IomegaWare 2.0 with: parallel port and SCSI Zip 100 and Zip 250 drives

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Windows 98 Tip
Problems running ScanDisk and Defrag

Many people have problems running ScanDisk and/or Defrag, with the program running 10% or 30% and then stalling. Often with a message that Windows is trying to write to the drive. Here's how to run ScanDisk/Defrag successfully:

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Internet Connection Sharing

With ICS you can share a single Internet Connection across your (home) network, making it easier to connect to the Internet from your Networked computers. Microsoft's ICS comes with no useful documentation, that's why we have made an attempt here to show you how to install & troubleshoot it.

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