Friday, March 14, 2008

Ways to Help Combat e-Mail Spam

Here’s a notice from our IT group; some tips on how to combat spam

 

 

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We would like to share with you information about e-mail spam,

and how you can help to combat them.

 

E-mail spam has been growing, with no signs of abating.

It was estimated that as at 2007, there are 90 billion

spam e-mails per day. In absolute percentage, spam e-mails

constitute approximately 80% - 85% of the total volume of

e-mails received by an organization.

 

Apart from the anti-spam software being installed to filter spam,

as an e-mail user, you can help to combat spam by following

the below recommendations:

 

Never make a purchase from an unsolicited e-mail.
If spamming weren't economically viable, it would be obsolete.

Not only can an e-mail user fall prey to a potentially fraudulent

sales scheme, but his or her e-mail address can also be added

to the numerous e-mail lists that are sold within the spamming

community, further compounding the number of junk e-mails

received.
 

If you do not know the sender of an unsolicited

e-mail message, delete it.
While most spam is usually just annoying text, a spam

e-mail message could actually contain a virus and/or

other exploits that could damage the computers of all

who open it.
 

Never respond to any spam messages or click on any links

in the message.
Replying to any spam message, even to "unsubscribe"

or be "removed" from the e-mail list only confirms to the

spammer that you are a valid recipient and a perfect target

for future spamming.

*                      

Never forward any chain e-mail.

Forwarding chain e-mail should also be avoided as you never know

who this chain e-mail will ultimately reach. Chain e-mail will get

widespread and your e-mail address may get into the hands of the

spammers.

 

Avoid using the preview functionality of your e-mail

client software.
Many spammers use advertising techniques that can track

when a message is viewed, even if you don't click on the message

or reply to it. Using the preview functionality essentially opens

an e-mail and tells spammers you are a valid recipient, which

can result in even more spam.
 

When sending e-mail messages to a large number of

internet recipients, use the blind copy (bcc) field

to conceal their e-mail addresses.
Sending e-mail where all recipient addresses are "exposed"

in the "To" field makes it vulnerable to harvesting by a

spammer's traps.
 

Think carefully before you provide your e-mail address

on websites, newsgroup lists or other online public forum.
Many spammers utilize "web bots" that automatically surf

the internet to harvest e-mail addresses from public

information sites and forums.
 

Never give your company e-mail address to anyone

or any site you don't trust.
Share it only with your close friends and business colleagues.
 

Have and use one or two secondary “personal” e-mail

addresses.
If you need to fill out web registration forms, or surveys at sites

from which you don't want to receive further information,

consider using secondary “personal” addresses to protect

company e-mail accounts from spam abuse.

*                      

Watch out for pre-checked boxes.

When you buy things online, companies sometimes pre-select

check boxes by which you indicate that it's fine to sell or give

your e-mail address to responsible parties. Clear the check box

if you don't want to be contacted.

 

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Conscientious end users who follow these suggestions will

ultimately play a significant role in reducing the amount

of spam that enters the organization's communications system.

Attention Deficit is a Real Crisis

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 14 Mar 2008 edition

 

 

Attention Deficit is a Real Crisis

By Dr Bill Maier

 

Could your child have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity

Disorder (ADHD)?

 

In recent years there has been a lot of debate among parents

and educators about ADHD. Is it being over-diagnosed in kids?

Many parents are afraid to have their kids tested because

they have heard horror stories about overmedication and

misdiagnosis. I understand their concern, but the fact is,

ADHD is a very real problem.

 

It is estimated that about one in 20 kids suffer from some form

of attention disorder. And many of them are never treated

or diagnosed. That is very unfortunate because help is available

for them. Doctors who specialise in treating these types of

disorders are extremely cautious when diagnosing kids

and they are not in the habit of handing out drugs unnecessarily.

 

So if you suspect that your child is having trouble with

hyperactivity or attention, have them tested by a licensed

professional.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Unconditional Surrender

“In His will is our peace.”

Dante Alighieri

 

Unconditional Surrender

 

Romans 12:1

 

When many people hear the word surrender, images of

conflict and overpowering forces come to mind. In contrast,

the act of surrendering one’s life to God is a beautiful and

peaceful experience.

 

Why then are we so afraid to hand over the reigns of our lives

to God’s omnipotent leadership? The answer lies in our

self-oriented nature. We live in a world that encourages us

to take pride in what we have accomplished and accumulated.

The concept of surrendering these things to God is unthinkable

for most people.

 

As a believer, however, God has called you to a higher standard

of living. He wants to help you reach the goals that He has set

for your life. Yet, in order to fulfill His plan, we must choose

to lay our selfish desires before Him.

 

Until you make this important step toward God, you will

find yourself in a state of unrest and uncertainty. However,

once you surrender your life to God, He will unleash the

storehouse of blessings waiting for you.

 

In Romans 12, God specifically asks us to present ourselves

as living sacrifices to Him and to renew our minds so that

we may understand and know His will, which is good and

acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

 

God wants to guide, direct, and bless you. Do not let disobedience

stand in the way of His plan for your life.

No Greater Love

NO GREATER LOVE

 

“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though

for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we

were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8, NIV)

 

A few years ago, a young American executive working in

Peru was kidnapped by a Peruvian rebel group and held

hostage. Jason Johnson was a husband, father of two

young children, and a rising star with the Bellamoor

Corporation. The rebels were hoping to exchange him for

four of their imprisoned comrades. The Peruvian govern-

ment refused to negotiate with the rebels. The Bellamoor

Corporation and the United States government tried

every tactic to free Jason Johnson.

 

Finally, seven months after he was taken hostage,

Johnson was set free. What made the change? Mr.

Bellamoor, the CEO of Jason’s company, offered himself

as a hostage in Jason’s place. He became a prisoner in the

rebels’ camp so that Jason Johnson could go free.

 

Indeed, a wonderful sacrifice. A reminder of the far

greater sacrifice that Jesus, Son of the Living God, made

for us, when he left the Ivory Palaces of Heaven to

become a man and therein to identify with lost mankind,

and then to die on the cross to pay the penalty for your

sins and mine. This so our sins could be forgiven and we

could receive the gift of eternal life.

 

There is no greater love. Have you accepted it?

 

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to grasp

the full meaning of your love in the sending of your Son,

Jesus, to come to earth as a man, to be born as a babe

in Bethlehem, and then to give his life as a ransom for

my sins. And Jesus God, because you gave your life for me,

please help me to live my life for you. Gratefully, in Jesus’

name. Amen.”

The Way to the Father's House

“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes

to the Father except through Me.” - John 14:6

 

 

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

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Directions to our Father’s house

 

1.       Make a Right onto Believeth Boulevard

2.      Keep straight and go through the Green Light,

which is Jesus Christ.

3.      There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith,

which is over troubled water.

4.      When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn

and Keep Straight.

5.       You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound.

6.      Keep going for three miles: One for the Father,

One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost.

7.      Then exit off onto Grace Drive

8.      From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane.

9.      Keep Straight and then make another Right

on Prayer Road.

10.   As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic

on Temptation Route.

11.   Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.

12.   Pass up Envy Drive, and Hate Avenue.

13.   Also, pass Hypocrisy Street, Gossiping Lane,

and Backbiting alley.

14.   However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane,

Persecution Boulevard, Trials and Tribulations Avenue.

15.   But that's all right, because VICTORY Street

is straight ahead!

AMEN!!!!!

 

Life is God's gift to you.

The way you live it… is your gift to God.

When Children Are Fearful

From FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, Today, 13 Mar 2008 edition

 

 

When Children Are Fearful

by Dr Bill Maier

 

You haven’t lived until you’ve had to chase monsters out

from under your kids’ bed.

 

A lot of young children go through periods of fear and anxiety.

They may see ghosts hiding in the wardrobe or think giants

are out to get them. Some kids have bad dreams, while others

fear spiders or snakes.

 

As parents, we shouldn’t ignore these anxieties, but we

shouldn’t be too concerned either.

 

Talk to your kids about why they are afraid of certain things.

Teach them coping techniques, like deep breathing,

or visualising a happy place. And encourage them

to pray when they experience fear and anxiety.

 

All children go through childhood phobias to one degree

or another, and they almost always grow out of them

in time. If their fears persist, talk to your paediatrician.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Something to Start Your Day - Everyday

Something to Start Your Day – Everyday

 

1.       Give God what’s right -- not what’s left.

2.      Man’s way leads to a hopeless end -- God’s way leads

to an endless hope.

3.      A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.

4.      He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

5.       In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma –

but never let him be the stop.

6.      Don’t put a question mark where God puts a stop.

7.      Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church

for a face-lift.

8.      When praying, don’t give God instructions –

just report for duty.

9.      Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church.

10.   We don’t change God’s message -- His message changes us.

11.   The church is prayer-conditioned.

12.   When God ordains, He sustains.

13.   WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

14.   Plan ahead -- It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

15.   Most people want to serve God, but only in an

advisory position.

16.   Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

17.   Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.

18.   Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.

19.   Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

20.  Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps

coming back.

21.   He who angers you controls you.

22.  Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.

23.  Give Satan an inch & he’ll be a ruler.

24.  Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them and

He’ll clean them.

25.   God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

26.  Read the Bible -- It will scare the hell out of you.

 

BEST MATHEMATICAL EQUATION for those who instruct

in Mathematics:

 

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen:

    1 cross

+ 3 nails

 -----------------------------

    4 given (forgiven)

 -----------------------------

 

That’s the whole gospel message simply stated.