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portholenews@gmail.com

Hello, PC Doctor here! I have been invited to write a help column with tips and tricks on computing onboard, answer any questions you have relating to Windows, hardware and interfacing, even WiFi access issues.

 

To get us started I have listed some of the questions I frequently get asked by cruisers encountering problems or frustions. In addition I will list some of the most common viruses and other nasties that are prevalent at the time of each issue. I welcome any questions or suggestions, please email me at:

yachtnadine@yahoo.co.uk

 

If my wifi adapter shows 85% signal strength why can I still not connect to the internet?

 

The adapter is showing that the received signal is 85% but it does not show how effectively (or not) your adapter is transmitting. The access point is possibly transmitting at slightly higher power and with a more efficient antenna. You need to mirror the access points setup as much as possible. Get your antenna out of the cabin and high up. Make your adapter more efficient by placing a simple metal dish behind it to focus the power. I know it sounds daft but it does work.

I don’t have a printer onboard, so if I buy airline tickets online how can I avoid losing the pages?

If you attempt to save a web page that contains data, often the data is lost. There is a simple and free solution, just print the page to a pdf file. Visit http://www.primopdf.com and download their

pdf software. If you have any problems I have it on disk.

 

The Nigerian Scam

Few people have not heard about this scam where an email explains you are to share in some immense amount of money simply for supplying your bank account details and oh, just a little cash. Yeah Right!  Well here is a new version. If I am wrong, I have kissed goodbye to a cruising budget for life, someone please tell me they have received the same award!

 

BRITISH AIRLINE AWARD CENTER

The British airlines has awarded the owner of this email address. This Award is given out to selected individuals email address around the world to help them actualize their dreams and also make the world a better place for all and also to promote the British airline and also the Emirates airline. This award is made possible by the British and the Emirates airlines. You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay out of 840,000 British Pounds.

 

Whilst on the subject of criminals, what is phishing?

The term is a variant of fishing, probably influenced by phreaking, and alludes to the use of increasingly sophisticated baits used in the hope of a "catch" of financial information and passwords. In computing, phishing is an attempt to criminally and fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. eBay, PayPal and online banks are

PC DOCTOR

Kev of ‘Nadine’

common targets. Phishing is typically carried out by email or instant messaging and often directs users to enter details on a website. Phishing is an example of a technique known as social engineering. So, be brutal about deleting mail from unrecognized sources, don’t be tempted to open emails out of curiosity as these can contain viruses especially if there is an attachment.

 

Computer websites of the week:

Create your own parabolic WiFi antenna http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/

 

What is phreaking?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phreaking

 

PDF printing:

http://www.primopdf.com/

 

Free antivirus software:

http://free.grisoft.com

 

 

 

Next time we'll look at connecting your computer and your navigation systems, things to know when connecting AIS, how to connect all your NMEA data sources with just a single PC connection and a cautionary note when using E-bay in Turkey.