From The Naked PC issue #5.11...

Jim's MailBag

by T.J. Lee
May 23, 2002

I've been sick as a dog for a while now and have gotten a bit behind in responding to emails sent in by you, my TNPC readers. Since I can't reply to every individual I thought I'd try to cover most the mail in this article.

NIGERIAN LETTER SCAM

A large number of you had trouble getting to the "PUBLIC AWARENESS ADVISORY REGARDING '4-1-9' OR 'ADVANCE FEE FRAUD' SCHEMES" that I wrote about in issue #5.06:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/511/tr.cgi?jim1

This page is on the US Treasury site and runs some kind of script that makes it glitch for a large number of TNPCers. The direct URL is:
http://www.ustreas.gov/usss/alert419.htm

I don't know of any way to make this page display properly every time. But with some perseverance you should be able to get to it. I'd repost it but don't want Treasury agents breaking down my door so I'll only mention the contact information that you'll find on that page. If you've been bitten by this scam the Feds want you to do this:

"If you have already lost funds in pursuit of the above described scheme, please contact the U.S. Secret Service in Washington, D.C. at 202-406-5850".

On the other hand if you've not been bitten but just been bugged:

"If you have received a letter, but have not lost any monies to this scheme, please fax a copy of that letter to (202) 406-5031."

OUTLOOK IN A BROWSER

Accessing Outlook from a browser via OWA (Outlook Web Access) piqued the interest of a great number of TNPCers. (Also in TNPC #5.06):
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/511/tr.cgi?jim3

However, I can't tell you how you can make OWA happen so you can check Outlook on your home computer. It requires an Exchange Server running OWA and that usually means having to get the network guardians to allow you access to it through the company firewall. However, you can tell them that they can set OWA up to use SSL and that it's pretty darn secure.

VPN TUNNELS

By far the most email I've received recently was on the article in TNPC #5.07 on virtual private networks:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/511/tr.cgi?jim4

However, getting a VPN connection requires some Windows and networking skill, in the case where you want to VPN into your home PC, or again the buy in from the network IS staff when you want VPN access to your company network so you can telecommute to the office. VPN access and telecommuting, by the way, is a great way to let your employees work from home for you bosses out there.

There are a number of different VPN clients available and different firewalls require different configurations so I'm afraid I won't be doing a "how to" piece on this.

But I can offer some tips to those of you who are trying VPN access using a laptop and Outlook (and most of the email I received was from individuals doing just this). Be sure to set Outlook to use a .OST (offline folder file) so you'll have a copy of your Outlook information on your laptop when you disconnect from the network. Most laptop users do this as a matter of course whether they're using VPN or not. Next, set Outlook to auto sync when logging off so that the .OST is updated whenever you close it. Finally, set it to prompt you about whether you want to work online of offline whenever you start it.

With a VPN connection you may be tempted to just always work in online mode. But even though you have a virtual private network connection you're still going to be limited to broadband speeds. So work offline and perform a send/receive when you want to update Outlook. This way you pull everything across the connection when you want and won't get stuck on some huge download just because you browsed an email message with a large attachment.

THE NAKED PC STILL FREE

I must share some of the great comments I received in response to my piece on newsletter advertising in TNPC #5.08:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/511/tr.cgi?jim5

"Don't let the weasels get you down!"

"Your kids need to eat, I know that mine did!"

"Let them send money instead of complaining..."

"Thanks for your Nakedness!"

"I even bought something from you one time!"

"Keep those ads coming."

"Besides, I like the products..."

"Continue your 'glasnost' on advertising."

and my favorite, "Right on McGee!"

THE NAKED PC SCREEN SAVER

Okay, for reading all the way to the bottom of this article you can download your very own Windows 98/2000/XP compatible version of the Official TNPC Screen Saver. So now you know! ftp://www.thenakedpc.com/bonus/tnpcsaver.exe

You can reach T.J. Lee at:
mailto:tj_lee@TheNakedPC.com

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