Spyware can cause, but is not limited to the following:

1. Changing homepage settings in your web browser.
2. Numerous advertisement pop-ups.
3. Add extra-unwanted components/actions to Internet related programs.
4. Change web pages automatically to view specific pages instead of the ones you wish to visit.
5. Operating system errors/freezing/slower response time.
6. Inability to view search pages.

Not all pop-ups are caused by spyware. Many pop-ups are a result of viewing certain websites. Every website you visit is written with code that tells the web browser what to display, how to display it...etc. Unfortunately, there are many websites that contain code, which tells your browser to open other windows to different (and usually unwanted) websites. A way you can protect yourself from these types of pop-ups is with a pop-up blocking program. There are vast arrays of pop-up blocking programs available, and each will differ. As with any software, we suggest trying a few different ones until you find out which one suits your computer, and personal needs the best.

Please note: Not all pop-ups and suspicious changes to your computer are caused by spyware or websites. Computer viruses are written to perform whatever action it’s author intended. While BlueMarble provides incoming & outgoing email virus scanning for all our email, there are other ways to contract a virus. Keeping your computer up to date with the latest virus definitions and regular scans can help to alleviate many hardships and frustrations of your computer usage, and help aid in the cessation of virus distribution on the web. Like most types of software, there are many different anti-virus programs available. We suggest only anti-virus programs that can provide virus definition updates, as there are newly released viruses daily. These updates are extremely important in the fight against viruses, for without knowing what you are up against, there is no good way to protect yourself from it.

Many times when you are searching for a helpful program, you can be easily tricked into downloading and installing a program, which does more harm than good. These types of software are referred to as ‘malware’. Because of this fact, we have gotten together some helpful links to other sites for *FREE* software that can be of some great assistance to you.

Anti-Spyware Programs:
Ad-Aware: http://download.com.com/3000-2144
10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
Spybot S&D: http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10194058.html?tag=lst-0-1

Pop-up Blocking Programs:
Pop-Up Stopper FREE Edition: http://panicware.com/process_download.html?prdid=PSFREE
Google Toolbar: http://toolbar.google.com/

Anti-Virus Programs:
Avast! 4 Home: http://www.avast.com/i_idt_1016.html
AVG Anti-Virus: http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

(We cannot provide technical support for the above services, please contact the makers of the software itself, if there is an issue.)

Technical Support Telephone Numbers
DSL Toll Free 1-866-764-8485 option 2
Dial Up Toll Free 1-888-258-3627 option 2

NOTE: Some cell phones receive busy signals when dialing our toll free numbers. Please try and call from a phone on a land line.

Technical Support Hours
Monday – Thursday 8am - 10pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 12pm - 8pm
Sunday CLOSED

2003-2004 Holiday Technical Support Hours
December 24th 8am – 12pm
December 25th CLOSED
December 26th 8am – 8pm
December 31st 8am – 12pm
January 1st CLOSED
January 2nd 8am – 8pm

Helpful Hints for Calling in to Technical Support
You will get our voicemail recording many times when calling in due to the technicians being on the phone with other customers. Please leave the following information:
1. Your name
2. Telephone number
3. User name (or first part of email address)
4. Any information that will help our technicians define your problem before we call you back.
5. A good time and phone number to reach you, when you are at the computer with the issue

Windows users – Please remember to check and perform all critical Windows updates from Microsoft frequently

If you have multiple computers on the DSL service:
Before calling Technical Support for your issue, please turn off all computers and networking devices such as hubs/switches/routers as well as the power to the DSL modem. Turn on the DSL modem first and wait 2 minutes, followed by turning the networking device back on and wait 1 minute, and finally turn all computers back on. If you are still having a connection issue, Technical Support will ask that you take one computer and connect it directly to the DSL modem, bypassing any networking devices, so that we will be better able to determine where your problem lies.

Thank you for taking the time to read our holiday help newsletter! We hope that it provides many helpful tips/ideas in order to more fully enjoy your internet service. Have a happy holiday season!