InBox

Gwen has problems with inbound email to Outlook Express. When she gets email it goes straight to her deleted folder, yet in Tools/Options, the general tab is ticked for "go straight to my inbox".

It sounds like there is a filter in place that is sending everything to the deleted box. Check the filters to see where they direct mail to under Tools/Message Rules/Mail. If you can't identify the offending rule, turn all rules off. The setting Gwen is seeing actually bears no relation to the direction of incoming mail. It reads, "When starting, go directly to my inbox folder". In other words, it's the folder that Outlook Express opens when you start the program, it doesn't control which folder the inbound mail ends up in.

* * *

Every time Simon opens his Windows Security Centre, he is prompted with a warning saying his anti-virus software is out of date despite having purchased it recently. He wants to know how to upgrade the protection. He has Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 2 and has just installed Windows Defender Beta 2.

Windows Defender is basic spyware protection only: it is not designed to protect against viruses. Windows Security Centre only monitors third-party antivirus software, which obviously requires updating: identify the antivirus software and update it. If you have no antivirus solution, either purchase one of the reputable brands such as Norton, McAfee or PC-Cillin (see links below). You can also try a freebie solution such as AVG. All will eliminate that message. Computer users should have three separate types of security protection: antivirus software is rated the most important. Firewall protection is next. A basic version is built into XP, but many other products such as Zone Alarm can be more effective. Spyware protection is often rated least important, but what it protects against is now arguably the most dangerous and fastest-growing risk to personal data.