PC Tips for Curious Types like me

You're The Curious Type,
So now you ask, just out of curiosity, of course, how you can tell if the link in the email really leads to where it appears. It's easy. But first let us show you how easy it is to disguise a link. This link apparently leads to Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/ . Well, click that link, it won't hurt you, we promise. Where did it lead you to? Was it Microsoft? Do NOT be fooled by this trick. Anyone can do it. We could show you how to do it in 30 seconds even if you have no knowledge of links or Web pages at all. Criminals don't need to be very smart if their victims are not very smart either.

But let's just say, that you're the curious type. And you are aware that the mail that appears to have come from your bank is probably a phishing scam.

But, hey, you're the curious one so you want to know where the criminal that tried to phish you wants you to go when you click that link. So, how do you know where that link leads to without clicking it? Here's how. Right-click that link and choose "Copy Shortcut". Now, open Notepad (Press the Windows Key + R - this opens the Run Dialog - and type in Notepad.exe) or just create a new email message and right click on the blank page and choose "paste". This shows you where the link really leads to. This is a simple example but it can save you a lot of grief. Plus you'll be learning the secrets of phishing. And the more you know; the more educated you are, the less chance you have of being tricked by a very sophisticated spammer. Of course, if you follow our #1 rule, you'll never have to worry about, but, you know, we know human nature is be curious. Needless to say, curiosity kills many cats.

Tip: Another way to verify links in email with out clicking is to click "View" on the toolbar and make sure "Status bar" is checked. Then you can simply hover over the link and it will show the true link destination at the very bottom left of the email window. Try it on this link: http://www.microsoft.com/

"With Windows XP, ClearType delivers improved font display resolution over traditional anti-aliasing. It improves readability on color LCD monitors with a digital interface, such as those in laptops and high-quality flat desktop displays. Readability on CRT screens can also be somewhat improved." (From Microsoft's Clear Type Web site).

All the instructions, including tuning instructions are included right on the page. So, avail yourself of this cutting-edge technology now. It may improve readability of text on your lap-top, flat-screen display, even your desktop with a regular monitor. Visit this page to see how Clear Type® technology can help you! Clear Type is not just for laptops anymore!

To quickly have Explorer expand all subfolders for a selected drive or folder, just press the asterisk (*) key on the numeric keypad. Be careful if you do this in a very large directory, such as entire C drive, since it may have hundreds or thousands of file listings it may take a quite awhile.