The Connection Vol. 13, No. 3 BRIEFLY Farm and Home Show Congratulations to Ryan Gerischer of Maquoketa. He is the winner of the Toshiba Blu-Ray player at the 2013 KMAQ Farm and Home Show. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to learn about home security products and Technology Solutions. Online directory Telephone directory listings are just a few clicks away with the F&B Webbased directory. Go to www.fbc-tele.com and click the “Online Directory” link to look up business and residential phone numbers or perform reverse look-ups. TECH TIP Solar interference If you notice a snowy picture on some of your digital video channels the first two weeks of March in the afternoon hours, do not be alarmed. During this time of year, satellite signals experience solar interference which cause snow, sparkles and blocking or pixilization. These brief disruptions, called solar interference, are a natural event that occurs in the spring and fall. F&B COMMUNICATIONS March 2013 Invest your tax refund Does Uncle Sam owe you some money? We have four ways that you can invest in your entertainment and reap the rewards of your hard-earned tax refund. It’s easy to get everything you need from Technology Solutions, including HDTV’s, laptops, tablets, TVs and more. Check us out! Windows 8 PC Smart TV Acer laptops and desktops featuring the all new Windows 8 operating system will enhance productivity and provide plenty of entertainment options. Take TV-watching to the next level with an LG, Samsung or Toshiba Smart TV or add “smart” capabilities with a wi-fi ready Blu-ray player. Samsung Galaxy Tablet i wireless Unlimited Plan Starting at just $249, the Samsung Galaxy tablet can go wherever you go. Featuring the latest Android operating system, you can choose between a 7 or 10-inch model. A new smartphone can keep you connected to family and friends. Experience unlimited talk, text and Web for only $45 per month with one of the new i wireless plans. Introduction to Pinterest New Channels Thursday, March 21 from 6 to 7:30 pm Learn about the social networking craze, Pinterest. See how you can view anything from recipes and hobbies to home-remedies and wedding planning ideas. Find an idea that peaks your curiosity? Learn how to pin it to your board and share with your friends. This class will go over setting up a Pinterest account and cover instructions for basic use of the site. FREE to F&B or Technology Solutions customers. Crime & Investigation Ch. 105 (HD ch. 705) Crime & Investigation airs mostly off-network re-runs of crime dramas such as 24, Nash Bridges and Hack, and the A&E crime documentary shows SWAT, Uncovered and The First 48. Preregistration is required as class space is limited. Classes held at the Technology Solutions store. Call 374-1322 to sign up or register online at www.fbc-tele.com. Future Classes: April 17 - Introduction to Streaming Video May 22 - Social Networking: Facebook Dates and topics subject to change. Military History Ch. 106 A spin-off of History that focuses on military history, this channel looks back at some of the significant battles in history as well as profiling key individuals. www.fbc-tele.com The Connection March 2013 FBI virus locks PC, demands money A new virus posing as an FBI alert is freezing computers and alarming users across the country. Infected computers display a shocking pop-up that tells owners they have illegal materials on their PCs and demands payment of a fine. This is how the scam works: Computers infected with the “FBI MoneyPak” malware display a message using the FBI seal and citing several legal documents. “Your PC is blocked due to at least one of the reasons specified below,” reads the message. The reasons include owning/distributing copyrighted material, pornography or malware. To unlock the computer, the virus demands a fine (amounts vary from $100 to $300) that must be paid with MoneyPak, a way to send cash without a bank account. It threatens criminal action against those who don’t pay within three days. The FBI calls the virus Reveton. Unlike many viruses that activate when users open a file or attachment, this one can install itself when users simply click on a compromised website. If you think you are infected, do not pay any money or provide any personal information. Only the most computersavvy users will be able to remove the virus without help. Contact a reputable computer repair shop like Technology Solutions for assistance. While it does not guarantee complete protection from the FBI virus, running up-to-date anti-virus and malware protection FBI Virus screenshot software will minimize your risk of an infection. For more information, visit www.fbi.gov/scams-safety. NEW DIRECTORY LISTINGS DELMAR Ahrens, Jessica .................................... 574-4149 WHEATLAND McLaughlin, Jay .................................... 374-3519 VoiceMail (starting at $3.95/month or included in all Smart Connect packages) After-Hours Trouble Reports Answering machines and busy signals are a thing of the past. VoiceMail redefines the way you use your phone. VoiceMail takes calls for you when you are on the phone or away from the phone. eForward can also send you an e-mail with the message. Try it for FREE in March! Contact the office at 374-1236 or 574-1236 to sign up for VoiceMail. If you want to keep VoiceMail after your free month, do nothing. If you choose to cancel, call the office. If you experience trouble after business hours, we want to make sure your issue gets resolved as quickly as possible. To report phone, TV or Internet trouble, call 563-374-1238. For outages that require immediate assistance, press option 1 and leave a message for the on-call technician. The technician will return a call as soon as possible. TECHNOLOGY TRIVIA According to ABI Research more than 100 million tablet computers were sold in 2012. F&B COMMUNICATIONS 103 Main St. N. P.O. Box 309 Wheatland, IA 52777 Business Office Hours Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm Customer Service Board of Directors Ken Laursen Darla Baxter Ariell Connelly April Reiling Norman Bousselot, president Paul Ketelsen, vice president Charles Freese, secretary/ treasurer Dorothy Goettsch Roland Reiling Kenneth Rohling Ryan Vander Heiden Office Manager Julie Steines Plant Manager Computer Technicians Brad Carpenter Steven Berger Brooke Cavey Marketing Manager Information Technology 374-1236 or 574-1236 Aaron Horman Jeff Cerda Repair Line Administrative Assistant Plant Technicians 374-1238 or 574-1238 Carla Olson Web site: Billing/CABS Pat Ahrens Brian Niebuhr Zach Shorter Phone The Connection is published monthly for the customers of F&B Communications. General Manager www.fbc-tele.com Kendra Rock