This page addresses a need that we have seen for a web page that contains information about current concerns of our customers, whether it is a rapidly spreading virus, scam, denial of service attack, or other important Internet related issue or issues. Problems Sending Mail to Yahoo Addresses One of the latest problems for many of our customers is sending mail to Yahoo and SBC Global Yahoo mail accounts. Some are reporting getting this error: "Message delivery to 'recipientaddress@yahoo.com' delayed SMTP module(domain @208.6.234.7:yahoo.com) reports: connection with mx.mail.yahoo.com is broken Yahoo suggests the following: http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/mail/defer/defer-01.html This appears to be a problem known as prioritizing where Yahoo is limiting the amount of mail from outside mail servers. Normally the message will be delivered so it is not necesary to resend your message. We have seen where many other providers have had similar problems sending mail to Yahoo over the last few weeks with similar results. See: http://www.ahfx.net/weblog.php?article=107 If for some reason your message delivery fails completly you should receive a similar failure notice and then you should try to resend your message. Spyware Spyware is software that is installed on your computer, either with or without your knowledge, and tracks your Internet habits and reports them back to a third party. Spyware can be installed on your computer by downloading legitimate software that you want such as KaZaa, HotBar, or BonziBuddy... this type of software may provide a free service to the user, however there may be strings attached. Spyware can also be downloaded to your computer by clicking on the "wrong place" in a web page, pop-up ad, or e-mail or simply by viewing a web page. Here are some screenshot examples of pop up ads that may appear on your screen: Spyware Screenshots Do not click in these windows... clicking in the window will install spyware on your computer. Always close these windows by using the [x], right clicking the program button on the Start bar and choosing "Close", or by using the CTRL, ALT ,and DEL keys. Spyware may change your start and search pages, display pop-up ads, auto load pornographic web pages, and even place expensive long distance calls to 900 or International numbers using your computer Some names of software that are generally considered to be Spyware are KaZaa, HotBar, BonziBuddy, Gator, NewDotNet, Comet Cursor, Date Manager, Save Now, Precision Time and many others. This software can cause slow and failed web page loads and system crashes. Now what to do about it... you should install some type of Spyware removal such as Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, or SpywareBlaster. We have them available for download and links to the software manufactuer's web pages on the Centex Local Downloads page. We have also created some step by step instructions in Microsoft Word format on how to use Ad-Aware and Spybot. If you do not have Microsoft Word the Word Viewer is also available on the Centex Local Downloads page The spyware scanners all work similar to virus scan software and have features that allow updates, quarantine, backups, and realtime protection. Note that some Spyware infections may require manual removal and possibly even operating system reinstallation. These sites can provide you with some useful information about Spyware: LavaSoft's Ad-Aware Site PepiMK Software's Site Javacool's Spywareblaster Site MSNBC Spyware article BHO Demon Site Sandi's Bugs, Glitches, and Stuff-Ups Site PC Hell's Spyware Page SpyWareInfo Latest Concerns Archives Microsoft Windows Vulnerablities 915 Area Code Change Mytob and Zytob Worm MyDoom Worm Sobig Worm Welchia Worm Blaster Worm MiMail Worm Jeem Trojan Beagle Worm