| DIAL BROADBAND IS HERE!
* | | Dec 19,
2003
- We are very excited to announce that Dial Broadband was implemented
at 2:00AM this morning. This will increase the speed of web surfing,
it is available at no extra cost to
you, and there is no additional
hardware or software required to use this service. Dial Broadband
works as soon as you connect to the internet. | |  |
For more details and a speed
test please visit: www.pon.net/db
* This service works if you are calling
from these area codes: 408, 415, 510, 650, 707, 831, & 925.
We are currently working towards offering a similar accelerated
service in all coverage areas.
Installation of Controller
Dec 15,
2003
- A new controller
for our battery backup system is being installed on Tuesday morning
(Dec 16, 2003) between 8:00 and 8:30am. This will mean approximately 5
minutes downtime - once the controller has been installed all
operations will resume as normal.
Holiday Office &
Tech Support Hours
Dec 10,
2003
-
Our office will be closing early 12/24/02 at 12:00pm (noon) and we will return
12/26/02 at 9:00am. Thank you.
Christmas Eve 12/24/03 ... 9am - 12pm
Christmas Day 12/25/03 ... CLOSED
New Years Eve 12/31/03 ... 9am - 12pm
New Years Day 01/01/04 ... CLOSED
Dial Broadband Update
Dec 2, 2003
- Due to unforeseen circumstances, the offering of the Dial Broadband
service has been slightly delayed. We are moving forward to implement
this as soon as possible, hopefully by mid-month. We will post more
information as soon as this service is offered. We appreciate your
patience in this matter.
56K Dial-up Maintenance
Dec 3, 2003
- Maintenance cancelled, will be rescheduled for a future date
Dec 2, 2003 - Maintenance will be performed on the 56K Dial-up
service Thursday morning, 12/4/03, from 12:01am to 12:30am (just after
midnight). Authentication may not occur if you attempt to connect to the
Internet during this 30 minute period.
Thanksgiving Holiday
Nov 25, 2003
- The Pacific Online Office will be closing early at 6:00pm the day
before Thanksgiving, Wednesday 11/26/03, and will be closed on
Thanksgiving Day, Thursday 11/27/03.
Outlook
Express Tips & Tricks
Nov 17, 2003 -
We have found that one of the most common problems in Using Outlook Express is a setting called "Hang up after Sending and Receiving" in which you will be disconnected as soon as you check your email. We have put together a page to show how to "fix" this so that you remain online after checking your email. In addition, this page contains other useful Outlook Express hints. Please visit:
http://www.pon.net/support/OEtips.htm
Now
Supporting V.92 Modems *
Nov 11, 2003 - One of the nice features V.92 modems is something called Modem on Hold. This feature lets
you answer incoming calls without disconnecting from the Internet. You can even make a
call and remain connected. If you do not already have a V.92 modem, some modems can be
upgraded to V.92 with a driver download from your modem manufacturer's support page on
their website.
V.92 modems will get you online faster because they negotiate server connections faster.
With a V.92 modem, the "handshake" noise you hear when you dial in is often significantly
decreased. Also V.92 modems send data quicker.
* V.92 modem service is currently offered if you are calling from these area codes: 408,
415, 510, 650, 661, 707, 831, & 925
Afternoon
Power/Phone Outage
Nov 8, 2003 (5:30) - A
power and phone outage occurred for approximately 2 hours this
afternoon. System equipment was affected intermittently. Power and
phone service have been restored by the phone/electrical company.
Dialup
Broadband to Be Offered - No Additional Cost*
| November 8, 2003 -
Within the next several weeks Pacific Online will be offering
what is called Dialup Broadband which will increase web
surfing up to
2 to 3 times as fast as it is now.
Best of all there is no additional charge for this service. | |
|
It works with both Windows and Macintosh
computers, as well as with Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers.
There is no special software or hardware needed on your computer to be
able to use this service.
* Once offered service will work
from these area codes: 408, 415, 510, 650, 707, 831, & 925 |
Domain
Email Migration
November 7, 2003
Over the next few months Pacific Online will be migrating Business
emails to a new mail server. We will be calling all users that use
webmail and or have their email boxes setup as IMAP. Once your email
has been migrated the webmail address to use is: http://athena.pon.net/webmail
New Worm
Making the Rounds
November 2, 2003 - Another
new worm is making the rounds, this one offering "sexy
pictures" in a file attachment as photos.zip or photos.jpg.exe .
Full details including a removal tool are available
here
| | | Anti-SPAM
Program Updated
October 15, 2003 -
Pacific Online is pleased to announce an upgrade of the current
anti-SPAM (junk
mail) program that has been running on our mail server. As a
result, this is significantly decreasing the amount of | |
 |
SPAM received by PON.net
emails. This new software is catching about 98.2% of all incoming Spam
and 98% of all incoming viruses.
There is additional information on our Support Page about SPAM, how to
filter it, as well as information for stopping pop up ads and viruses.
Please visit: www.pon.net/support
If you still receive SPAM emails please forward them as an attachment
to abuse@pon.net |
| |
New Worm
Making the Rounds
September 19, 2003 - A new worm is making the
rounds across the internet, masquerading as a Microsoft Security
update. W32.Swen.A is a mass mailing worm that will also try
and propagate via file sharing networks like Kazaa and IRC as well
as across local area networks and open file shares. You find
find full details at Symantec's
website
Mail
Server Update
September 17, 2003
6:50pm - Our primary relay mail server is now back online -
and the load is back to normal. We will be watching this closely over
the next few days.
Mail
Server Issue
September 16, 2003
9:50pm - Our primary relay server
failed today so mail is currently routing through a secondary relay
server. This may cause mail delivery delays due to the loss of load
balancing. We are currently working on bringing a replacement relay
server online to redistribute the load.
809
Telephone Scam
September 15, 2003
- What you need to know: This scam is hitting the United States. If you receive a message on your voicemail,
answering machine, or email asking you to call a telephone number with an "809" area
code DO NOT respond to it.
How does it work?
You will receive a message asking you to call a telephone number with an "809" area
code. There are a variety of reason the perpetrator may use to get you to return the
call, I.e. a family member is ill, legal action will take place if the call is not
returned, you have won a prize, etc. The calls to this telephone number are being
terminated outside of the USA, and in fact are international calls. These calls can have
extremely high per minute rates, reportedly in excess of $25.00/minute. Not only will
the perpetrators try to get you to return the call, they may also try to keep you on the
phone by listening to a long recorded message, which further increases your charges.
Who pays for these calls?
Unfortunately, you do because you placed the call. The main thing is just do not respond to any messages that ask you to call a number in the 809 area code.
Email Password Issue
September 12, 2003
- Pacific Online has completed re-entering all the email
passwords that were wiped. Some users may still find themselves
unable to log into their email. This will be the case if your
password has changed from what we had on file. If you still
cannot log in please contact our office to have your password
changed. If you receive our voicemail please leave your login
and password or if you would prefer a contact number where we can
reach you.
Thank you for your patience
-Pacific Online Support Staff
Critical
Mail Server Issue
September 11, 2003 - Our primary mail server
suffered a critical failure losing the listings of all pon.net mail
customers. We were able to restore all the users from backups
and the mailboxes where all physical mail is stored remained
unaffected. Multiple relay servers spooled all incoming mail
until the restore was completed. Unfortunately the restore failed to
restore the passwords to individual mail boxes so Pacific Online staff
are working diligently to re-add them manually. Until the
password for your account has been manually re-added you will see a
login failure when trying to check your mail ( this does not effect
your dial up connection ). Mail is still coming in normally and
will be written to your mailbox as normal.
Have a
Safe Labor Day
August
29, 2003 - Have a safe and
enjoyable Labor Day Holiday. Pacific Online's office will be closed
Monday in honor of Labor Day.
Worm Alert II
August
20, 2003 - A new worm is
currently making its way around the internet. This worm propagates via
email and open network shares and the worm can be used to download
execute arbitrary files gaining access to confidential files, setting
up mail relays or auto updating the worm.
More information about this worm and
how to remove it is available here:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/
avcenter/venc/data/w32.sobig.f@mm.html
Worm Alert
August
11, 2003 - A new worm is
currently making its way around the internet. Its main symptom is that
it will automatically shut down your computer after a certain amount
of time. This worm exploits Windows machines that do not have the
latest Windows Updates installed. To install the latest Windows
security updates click here: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
More information about this worm is available here: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/
avcenter/venc/data/w32.blaster.worm.html
Virus
Alert
August
1, 2003 - A new virus is being
sent which pretends to be sent from an admin@pon.net
which is an email address that does not even exist. Please do not open
this email - simply delete it. More information about this particular
virus is available by clicking: http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=description&virus_k=100523
Support
Page Overhaul
July
30, 2003 - Pacific Online's support page has received an overhaul.
New screen shots and instructions have been added. Visit www.pon.net/support
for the latest screen shots and instructions.
Happy 4th
of July
July
2, 2003 - Pacific Online's office will be closing at 3:00pm on the
4th of July, 2003.
Closed
Memorial Day
May
24, 2003 - Pacific Online's office will be closed for Memorial
Day, Monday May 26th, 2003.
Closed
Easter Sunday
April
19, 2003 - Pacific Online's office will be closed this Easter
Sunday - April 20th, 2003. Any messages left on our voice mail will be
returned on Monday.
Bumper
Stickers Available
March
25, 2003 - Pacific Online has recently printed color bumper
stickers. If you'd like one, please email accounts@pon.net
- include your @pon.net e-mail address (or domain hosted by Pacific
Online) and a physical mailing address. Limit one per Pacific Online
customer. Available while supplies last.
Personal
Websites Transfer Completed
Feb 13, 2003
- Pacific Online has completed moving all personal websites to the new
webserver. All sites should be reachable and FTP access has been
restored. Please contact support@pon.net
if you have any questions or problems.
Personal
Websites Transfer
Feb 12, 2003
- All Pacific Online personal websites with the address: http://home.pon.net/username
will be moved from one web server to another web server Thursday February 13th. While this transfer is occurring
personal website
users will not be able to log in to their FTP site. Estimated
time of completion is 2pm PST. This transfer will not affect the actual
website or the ability to view the website from the net.
Service Attacks Slow Internet
Jan 25, 2003
- Last night a DoS attack (Denial of Service) occurred which caused an excessive level of network
traffic, in other words, severe latency and slow down when web browsing or checking email. This
problem was not local to Pacific Online as many other ISP's and online
organizations around the world were affected by it. Pacific Online restored its network service last night around 12pm and continued
close monitoring afterwards.
Here is an article from CNN about this problem:
www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/01/25/internet.attack.ap/index.html
Additional Network Maintenance
Jan 22, 2003
- Additional network maintenance & upgrades will occur on Friday January
24th from 12am to 6am. This
maintenance may intermittently affect dialup connections in the 408, 415, 510, 650, 707,
831, and 925 area codes. There will be no long term disconnection periods during this
time as lapses in service will only be intermittent.
Jan 20, 2003
-Network maintenance & upgrades will occur on Tuesday January 21st from 12am to 6am. This
maintenance may intermittently affect dialup connections in the 408, 415, 510, 650, 707,
831, and 925 area codes. There will be no long term disconnection periods during this time.
Junk Mail (SPAM) Update
Jan 10, 2003
-Towards the latter part of 2002, Pacific Online finished researching 6 different anti-SPAM programs. One solution was isolated as being the best overall solution for blocking SPAM from reaching our mail server and as a result, from reaching PON.net email boxes.
This program was run as a demo for about 2 weeks. As of early December 2002 this program started running live. Additional features will be implemented on an ongoing basis before this program reaches its full potential. These features are being implemented as soon as possible as we continue to test the full abilities of this program. In addition to effectively blocking SPAM this new program also detects, cleans and delivers most emails infected with viruses.
With this new software we are catching 90 - 95% of incoming spam and 98% of all incoming viruses.
There is additional information on our Tools Page about SPAM and how to filter it, as well as information for stopping pop up ads and viruses. Please visit:
http://www.pon.net/support/tools.htm
In addition, you may also email any SPAM emails to abuse@pon.net
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