#0 - Aug. 31, 2006, 10:53 p.m.
While it does have a fairly decent amount of programs, I would like to add three that I like a lot: WinPatrol, AdAware SE Personal Edition, and Spybot Search & Destroy. Some users may also prefer to use AOL Active Virus Shield http://www.download.com/AOL-Active-Virus-Shield/3000-2239_4-10568703.html?tag=lst-0-3 rather than the AVG Free Personal Edition. It's all up to you.
Also, I've seen many users still seem to be using Internet Explorer. While, I do realize that many people like it, it's not a safe one. If you feel you're safe enough, than ignore the rest of this paragraph. Internet Explorer is the most used internet program, from what I know of. For PC users, this can be quite hectic as many scripts and such are written for IE. You may want to get FireFox at http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/ . It is a very good browser. There are also various add-ons that you may like. I enjoy the weather one. There is also a program made for both Internet Explorer and FireFox called McAfee SiteAdvisor. You may wish to download this. http://www.download.com/McAfee-SiteAdvisor-for-Internet-Explorer/3000-2144_4-10566380.html for Internet Explorer, and http://www.download.com/McAfee-SiteAdvisor-for-Firefox/3000-11745_4-10566381.html for FireFox.
While these do not stop all of the security problems that are going around, these will help. Most of the programs do not require an IQ of 200 in computers to run. It should be fairly simple. I should note that running two anti-virus programs can cause errors. If you know what you're doing, then go right ahead, but I'm not a computer expert. ;)
Next to the last thing: Make sure that you have all critical updates for your computer. It doesn't hurt to get the optional ones either. The link to the Windows Update page is http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us . You must use Internet Explorer and have a valid version of Windows in order to get the updates.
The last thing is that you should always be careful which websites that you go to. It doesn't matter if it looks like one that you've been to. People may post website very similar in name, excluding a letter or including one that looks similar (Ex: a instead of o). You should always look at that. Make sure you run your anti-virus and spyware programs once a week and you should be good. :)
I hope that all of this helps at least one user who comes here. It's a fairly easy list, I believe, and it should help a lot. I know that some of us don't have the money in order to get the top notch programs or think they're too much trouble.
P.S. I can't guarantee that these programs will work or will solve any of your problems. You can download them and see if you like them and see if you can deal with them. If you have troubles, try reading an FAQ or typing it into Google. Those are about the only things I know of to help. Feel free to add to the list or add commentary about the programs. Thanks! :)
I would like for users to beware of the tulang1and any posts that have .scrl or .scr or .scl or something of the sort. You should only download programs or view pictures from websites that you know you can trust. Photobucket, Photobooth, and Imageshack are a few of the magjor ones that are used and are safe. :)
Incase the link to the programs is ever lost, or Download.com closes the page, you can come to this paragraph to look at the programs which I have linked. ZoneAlarm, AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition, Spyware Blaster, HiJackThis, Microsoft Windows Defender, CCleaner, TrueCrypt, SpyCatcher Express 2006, AOL Security Monitor, and Avast Home Edition.
There appear to be quite a few people who do not know some emails to get their accounts back and such. I wll provide each of the departments that I know, and provide their hours, along with what they handle.
Game Master Department: The Game Master Department is most likely the department that you are most familiar with. They can assist in minor issues such as accidentally deleting an item or needing your character to be moved or to investigate an account if it has been compromised and can lock it. Functions: Assist players who are having loot problems, users who are stuck, item issues, hacks, bots, harassment, etc. A complete list of available fields can be found by click the red "?" in-game and selecting each field.
Methods of contact: There are two way to contact the Game Master department concerning most of your in-game issues. First method: you can use the red "?" in-game, which is called a petition, and will open up a document that a Game Master will look at and be able to speak with you. If you're offline, they will email you concerning your isses. Second method: You can email them at [email protected] . This is an email to the Game Master Department. If you wish to contact them using this email, make sure you're using your account registered email address. The Game Master Department is available twenty four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a week.
Main Game Master Support Page: http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowgm/ and the Customer Service Forum: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11112&sid=1
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Billing Department: The Billing Department, as you may be able to tell, deals issues regarding billing. This can include your credit card being charged or not charged or to some other issues. Functions: The most common function of the Billing Department is to assist users who may have a typo on their account, change your email addres, change your phone number, or to assist with credit card issues (Including Paid Character Transfers).
Methods of contact: There are three methods of contact. You can contact them using [email protected] , but you must use the account's registered address in order to receive a response regarding your account. This method cannot be used when attempting to change email, phone numbers, or fix typo's in your name. The second method of contact is http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowbilling/?id=eSupport000 . This is an online email form which may help your email process if you don't know what to do. Same restrictions apply to this as emailing.
The next method of contact is the best one to use phone support. The primary number to use is 1 (800) 592 5499 (1-800-59-BLIZZARD). You may have to cut off ARD part to call them. Automated replies are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. You can speak with a live representative Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. PST (Pacific Standard Time), which is GMT -08:00. Australian users who have issues connectin with the number above can try 1-800-041-378.
Main support page: http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowbilling/
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Account Administration: The Account Administration is primarily used for users who have had a hacker account and their account has been locked. It can also be used to appeal bannings. Functions: Assisting users with locked accounts and appeals to bannings.
Methods of Contact: There are two ways to contact Account Administration. You can email them at [email protected] using the registered email address of your account that has been banned or locked. The second method is using the email form http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowbilling/?id=eSupport000 . You must use the registered email address of the account that has been banned or locked in order to receive help. The Account Administration is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Primary Support Page: http://www.blizzard.com/support/wowaa/
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Technical Support: Technical support deals with issues such as being unable to connect to the server or having a graphics problem. They do not having any power over servers, and server issues (Ex: "ZOMG! MY SERBER DOWN!! FIX DIS BLIZZ") shouldn't be posted there. Functions: Able to assist users who are having any sort of client side issues. (Too numerous to list)
Methods of Contact: There are four ways to contact that Technical Support Department. You can email them at [email protected] . You can fill out the email webform at http://www.blizzard.com/support/wow/?id=eSupport000 . You can go to the Technical Support Forum at http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11110&sid=1 .
This fourth contact is using the number 1 (949) 955-1382. There are live representatives Monday through Friday, exluding holidays, 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. PST (Pacific Standard Time) which is GMT -08:00. There is 24/7, 365 days a year automated support.
Primary Support Page: http://www.blizzard.com/support/wow/ and http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/board.html?forumId=11110&sid=1
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If you think that there is anything missing, or there are inconsistancies, please reply and I will try to fix whatever is wrong. Thanks!
Edit: I'm trying to clean up the thread a little bit.
