Hickory's
Tips of the Week
General Info
Before doing any
street performing, it is always a good idea to check with the
local officials
for any licensing or permit requirements. You may be fined or
even arrested if you are not
in compliance with local laws.
A Setup that is
Quick and practical is a must for every face painter.
Here is an idea from Mama Clown:
1) Carry all of your equipment tied with a bungee cord on a luggage carrier. This
includes, table, chair, tablecloth, stereo and face painting kit.
2)This set up takes three minutes to be ready. Anything that is not in use can be stored under the table. This can include a light and extra supplies.
3) Mama Clown's table cloth has a vinyl top for easy cleaning and all is color coordinated for a professional presentation.
4) Set your kit on the right hand side if you are right handed and on the left if you are left handed. You want to have as little movement as possible to avoid body aches. I choose to sit on the chair and have the children stand or kneel in front of me. I use my clown shoes as a cushion but you can purchase an inexpensive gardener's pad for the same purpose. You want the children to be as close to you at eye level or lower for best control.
These tips were
contributed by Mama Clown.
Visit Mama Clown's New Website at http://www.mamaclown.com/
Starting a Clown Alley
I frequently get asked, "I'd like to start a clown alley. How do I do it?" The shortest, simplest answer is, "Find a bunch of clowns you like to clown with. Share ideas. Do some gigs together . Invite other clowns to join you. There, you now have any alley." It really is that simple. If you want to become more formal and get involved with a much larger organization, there are three that I know of. Contact one or more of these organizations at:
World Clown Association, Administrative Offices, P.O. Box 1413 Corona, CA 91718 USA
Clowns International, Clown Bluey Brattle -
Secretary, 30 Sandpiper Close, Marchwood, Southampton,
Hants , England SO40 4XN Email: bluey@clownbluey.freeserve.co.uk
Clowns of America International, Box 6468, Lee's Summit, MO 64064-6468 USA Email: mailto:coaibusmgr@worldnet.att.net
What are some of the reasons to becoming part of one of these organizations?
1) Educational opportunities. You don't have to be a member to attend their conventions, but you may not know about them unless you are a memeber. Also, there are special programs available through the organizations and often reduced prices.
2) Membership Referrals. Once your name gets added to the list of member alleys, other clowns in the area will be given your name if they are looking for an alley to join.
3) Credibility. By joining a larger group you will gain credibility, which means local organizations will be more likely to give you a call for their parades and other community events.
These are some of the reasons I can think of, I'm sure there are others.
If you would like to find out more about alleys, then visit our Alley Page.
Learn from Others
The best way I know to be funny is to watch other good performers. Notice what they do and say and how they handle an audience. I am not suggesting you copy everything they do! Read books on clowning and any related fields like juggling, magic, unicycling, stilt-walking, balloon twisting, etc. Now, take the skills you have and work on how to make them funny. In my shows, for example, I use a great deal of magic, and yet I am not a great magician. I use juggling, but I am not a great juggler. I make balloon animals, but I am not...okay, I AM a great balloon sculpturer. The point is to take what you know and add humor and bits of silliness and try to relate to your audience. You are not there to impress them with great magical skills or feats of juggling dexterity. You are there to provide them with some light-hearted fun, to give them a chance to laugh and maybe just forget about reality for a bit by putting smiles on their faces.
Contributed
by Pockets the Clown
You may e-mail Pockets the Clown at Sorly@aol.com
How to Handle Scared Children
The most
important thing to remember with children, especially if you are
a clown, is to not, I repeat NOT surprise the children at first.
Do not open the door and say "Hi!" in a loud voice and
make exaggerated gestures. Most children like clowns but are
still wary of them, especially the young ones.
Think of it this way--most adults are 2-3 times as tall as
children. If you saw a person fifteen feet tall in bright clothes
and a painted face at your front door yelling,
"Surprise!", how would you feel? Put yourself in the
shoes (no pun intended) of the child. When I see children, I can
instantly tell if they are afraid, apprehensive or open to my
appearance. If they are even a little bit hesitant, I back off. I
head towards a child who is more open, act scared myself, do
something silly and make them laugh. As soon as they laugh, they
lose their fears.
Many times I have been invited to a party where the birthday
child was petrified of me. He wanted me there because he had seen
me at other events, but now he does not want to get near me. In a
case such as this, I basically ignore the child and play to the
other children. Once the other children start laughing and having
fun, the fearful child comes closer and joins in. I never mention
his name or appearance on the scene. I let the child join the
group unnoticed until he is ready to join in. Then, I make him
feel welcome.
When booking a show, remember to ask a parent if the child is
afraid of clowns. Even if she isn't, the excitement of the day,
having friends over and having a clown at the party can make any
child overwhelmed with emotion. Let the parent know that the
child must approach you (the clown) at her own
volition. If you force the child, you will only harm her. Be very
wary of your first approach to any child. The phrase "first
impressions are the most important" is ever so true with
children and clowns.
Contributed
by Pockets the Clown
You may e-mail Pockets the Clown at Sorly@aol.com
On these HOT SUMMER days, it is always a good idea to have a spray bottle nearby to "spritz" yourself during a break or between gigs. A quick spray not only makes you feel better but freshens your makeup as well. It's a good idea to put paper towel around your collar to protect from moisture or rinsed off makeup. Pat your face dry - lightly - to avoid smearing. Warm weather tends to make your makeup soft and easily smudged.
Thank you Mischief for this helpful suggestion.
Keep COOL!!
It is
Summer in North America and we are in the middle of a killer heat
wave.
Here are some tips on protecting yourself while clowning in the
heat:
- Drink
plenty of fluids.
- Wear loose fitting costumes. If possible, leave the wig behind
- Work in the shade wherever possible
- Keep you physical activities to a minimum
Remember
- Heat weakens a balloon's structure. Keep them cool as well
- Your makeup will be very soft, and tend to melt easily, use
that spritz bottle often.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We use a product
called something like "cub-ees." They are little
refreezable ice cubes. They are like little baggies of water. We
wear them inside our costumes, wigs, where ever they feel best.
They can be found at Arbor drugs or other similar places. Just
don't sit on them after they melt- they will pop.
Derby the clown
You may e-mail Derby at Ariapriest@aol.com
Well, have I got an experience, or two or three to share!! This pastweekend, my husband (magician) and I were hired to perform for a "kids day". A grandmother had all of her grandchildren over for a special day and hired us to each do a show and tie balloons. My husband performed first and it was quite clear that there was a heckler in the crowd. He wasn't your regular heckler, either. During my husband's performance he yelled, "hey, is Bimbo (my name is Beep-O) dead yet or do I have to sit through her too?"
So, as can be expected, he was loud and had many smart comments to say throughout my show. I tried from the very beginning to have him become a part of my show but I knew that this was fruitless when he yelled, " I think Bimbo needs psychiatric treatment." When I apparently suprised him with the effect of my trick (produced a rabbit), he said, "well maybe I need therapy." That's not the best of it!! A cute little 3 year old asked if she could honk my nose and he yelled, "her nose doesn't honk, it's red because she was snorting lines of cocaine on the way here". This kid was only about 8 years old and this is not the kind of language that most kids his age kbow. It seemed to me as though psyschaitric treatment and drugs must somehow be a part of his life. My response was to simply ignore him and not miss a beat. His mother never intervened and offered excuses for his behavior afterwards, as she asked me back for next year! I kindly told her that her special day for the grandchildren was a nice idea and I looked forward to hearing for her again. And I said this all with a straight face!!! The heckler's uncle jokingly told me that A.J.'s birthday was next week and he would like to have me perform. We both got a chuckle out of that.
Thank you Beep-O the Clown
It's not too soon to think about taxes. Make sure your books are in order and try to project your net income. This is the time to look at buying that expensive automatic balloon pump - that fancy new magic trick - that 1st place winning costume. Don't wait until January when it's too late. Plan ahead.
Walk a little planer Dad, said a
little boy so frail.
I'm following your footsteps, and I don't want to fail
Sometimes your steps are very plain,
Sometimes they are hard to see,
So walk a little plainer Dad, for you are leading me.
I know that once you walked this way,
so many years ago
And what you did along the way, I'd really like to know,
For sometimes when I am tempted, I don't know what to do,
So walk a little plainer Dad, for I must follow you.
Someday when I'm all grown up, it's
you I'd like to be,
I'll have a little child, who wants to follow me,
I will try to lead him right, And help him to be true,
So walk a little plainer Dad, for we must follow you.
(author Unknown) Submitted by Bangles
The winter convention season will soon be upon us. This is a great opportunity for you to meet new friends, swap some tales and spend lots of money in the dealers room. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to learn from some of today's greatest clowning professionals. So save your pennies and attend a conference in a hotel near you. It's the greatest gift you could ever give your clown. Hickory The Clown
With the holidays rapidly approaching there will be many families flying home with small children. Long delays in airports make people, big and small very cranky. If you bring some pocketsized walkabouts along, you can use them to help pass the time for you and the children. Might also be alot of fun!
Once again I am reminded of how important it is to attend clowning conventions. On Saturday 31 Jan, I had the good fortune to attend one day of the January Jamboree sponsored by Clown City. Strolling through the Dealers Room, I was exposed to new toys, ideas and prompts. I must say, I left more money in that room than I intended, but no more than I expected. But the real benefit is the knowledge gained through attending the seminars. Some of the best names in clowning, Steve Kissel, Duane Laflin and BeBe the Clown kept us in stitches while teaching about magic, gospel routines and hospital clowning. Though I didn't compete, seeing other clowns' costumes and makeup is always an education, and the skits were entertaining as well. Next chance you get - attend a conference. A week of fun and education you will never forget.
Just a bit of common sense and general courtesy:
After doing a show, birthday party or any other type of gig, send a little "Thank You" card. It's not only good advertising, but it'll make 'em smile one more time.
Know your Business
Here's a tip taken for granted. I was recently asked by a client to do his middle daughter's party on an up-coming weekend. I said I would and gathered all the info I would need such as her age, number of kids, location, when they planned on having cake and opening presents, etc. The weekend came and I arrived on schedule carrying my suitcase show and giant "BIRTHDAY IN PROGRESS" sign. Imagine my surprise when I was told there was no birthday, that the celebration was a religious one, the daughter's first communion. Thankfully I had a show generic enough to adapt and did so instantly. The tip: Make sure you know for sure what kind of party your doing!
Thank you to: Bungles
Keep It Crisp
For the vast majority of clowns, this is not our profession. In a busy month we may have two or three gigs. As a result, our skills loose their edge, our timing is off, and we may pay less attention to our props then we should. Regardless of how often we perform, all clowns are responsible for being professionals. This means we keep our costumes clean, our routines rehearsed and our props clean and in good working order. When you work a birthday party, grand opening or local fair - you represent all of clowndom. Make us proud.
Share The Trade
This is a request for the more experienced clown, share your skills with members of your Alley or other clowns you may come in contact with. Clowns are the most sharing performing artists, with skills that touch on acting, singing, dancing, juggling, comedy, painting, magic, tumbling, costume design ... Nobody can be an expert in all things, but if you are knowledgeable about any of these areas, share. We as a clowning community, will benefit - you and your students will benefit - the people whose lives you will touch benefit too.
A Clowning Experience
Recently I did some clowning in an inner-city church for their Children's Day. The kid's there were street wise and no clown was going to get them. The first thing one of the 8 year old boys said to me was "You're A FAKE!!" and started reaching for my nose and trying to step on my favorite - oversized clown shoes. At first I tried to play along, but before I knew it half a dozen were doing the same things. Finally I just stopped and asked them what they were doing. Would
they like it if somebody called them names - made fun of them and tried to step on their toes? I told them that I wanted to have fun, but if they kept it up, I would walk out and they would have to explain to their friends and parents what happened. This started them thinking and they all apologized. The "ring leader" became my best helper and held my hand as we walked through the church and passed out stickers. I don't know if this will work all the time, but I do know that clowns are people - and deserve a little respect. We don't have to be abused just because we are in makeup. If you have had similar situations, I would appreciate hearing about them.
With Fairs & Carnivals the big thing now...remember...Try not to book Friday and Saturday nights (after 6 pm). This is usually nights where the Teenage crowd takes over. High School Night is usually how it is advertised. What does this mean? It means that most of the families have already gone home with the small children. This also means that you will have your hands full with the teen hecklers.
The easiest way to avoid this situation is to work with the events coordinator. They usually don't think about the safety of the clowns working. Educate them to the fact that they will have more satisfied family customers if you are there during the afternoon hours & on Family Night. Please don't get me wrong....I love working with teens, but, only in a controlled setting with adult supervision.
Thank You J.T. "Bubba" Sikes
You can visit Bubba on the WWW at http://members.aol.com/jtbubba2/
-or-
email Bubba at jtbubba@aol.com
How to Handle an Unruly Child
This is one of my favorite ways to handle an unruly child. Everyone's favorite, the one that "knows how everything is done and seen it all." I tell him (her) that I'm so glad that he's so smart. However, I do a trick that I know for sure he doesn't know since I only invented it this morning. Since he's the smartest kid in the audience I'm going to teach it to him and nobody else. When the kid comes up to the stage I tell the audience that magicians always take a vow of secrecy not to tell anyone how the trick is done. Everyone has to put their fingers in their ears so they won't hear what I'm telling him. As the audience follows my instructions, I hold the child by his hands, look at him straight in the eyes and very seriously whisper to him: "Ok..this is the deal. I'm going to make you look really good in front of your friends and then you are NOT going to bug me anymore. Are you? " Immediately, I extend my hand asking him to "shake on it." I then do my sponge ball routine where we start with two balls and he ends up with 10 in his own hand. It works for me all the time! : o)
Thank You Mama Clown
I invite everyone to visit Mama Clown's web site at http://members.aol.com/mamaclown2/ Happy surfing!
or E-mail her at mamaclown2@aol.com
This week's tip is just a simple rule of life, that if we could all follow, would make this planet a totally different place to live. Love your neighbor as yourself
Keep Cool! A lesson in Biology
With the heat of Summer baking most of America, there is a special threat to clowns. Our makeup, wigs and heavy costumes inhibit the body's natural cooling mechanisms. Whenever possible, work in the shade, wear cooler costumes, drink plenty of water, try not to let your salt levels drop too low and don't over-do it. The big challenge is not keeping your makeup from melting, it is making to the next gig.
Keep A Spare
Whenever possible, always have two of you favorite props or tricks (especially if they are your trademark), and keep them in separate locations. This will protect you against breakage, fire or some other mishap.
Continue to Study
All too often we get comfortable with our routines and forget to try new things. As professionals, it is our duty and responsibility to always learn new skits, magic tricks, facial gestures, movements, balloon sculptures, puppet routines, juggling, face painting, costume tricks or learn how to ride a unicycle - use stilts - play a musical instrument.
As clowns we are one of the few entertainers who set their own limits. We can do anything of moral decency that makes people smile.
This site is designed to help you expand your clown. Visit the dealer's page, check out upcoming events, visit the clown ministry page, read previous tips or find an alley near you.
Practice - Practice - Practice
As you practice your skits and tricks, it's always a good idea to have a video camera watching you. By taping your routines you can critique from the audience's point of view.
Practice - Practice - Practice
Before you do a new trick/routine for the first time, make sure you do a dress rehearsal. Full costume and maybe even full makeup. Big shoes, baggy pants and cloth gloves may effect the way props are handled or how they move.
How to Work with Children Afraid of Clowns
I ask that question during the introductory phone call. That way there is almost never a Birthday Child who is afraid. When giving my "clown tips to help your party run smoothly" I mention that if a child should be afraid, to let him or her get as far away from me as he or she wants to and to watch from that distance. Many times those children will come up for a balloon later if given that space and time to observe from what they consider a safe distance. In a crowd, I wave bye bye to frightened kids and step back,, and that usually puts them at ease.
Thank You MT Pockets the Clown
Donna W. Kalamazoo MI
Red "sale" stickers at the office supply store make "Clowns for a Day" or "Instant Clowns". Even the children who were scared received one with a smile. I do foreign mission work and it translates even well in other countries.
Thank You Charlynn "Carrire" Johns, IMCJohns@aol.com
Most importantly, be sensitive. Don't get close! Many times I get a smile if I act like I'm shy too. Try peek-a-boo... Another ice breaker is to have a puppet, squeeky toy, or other diversion. If no response in a short time, I believe in excusing myself and saying bye-bye. I often use my microwave to do this....You do know what a microwave is, don't you? It's a wave from your pinky! Adults "get it" when you tell them you must go now and use your microwave...
Contributed by Genimo through Soda Pop's Newsletter
When you perform with a religious theme, and your trying to impart values onto your audience, don't be a preacher. Let your skits and tricks deliver your message. Blend in a healthy portion of simple, fun & funny clowning. When your audience has a light and happy heart, the seed of your message will land in ripe soil.
Buy More Than Your Need
When buying props, costume fabric or your favorite magic trick, always make sure you get two of them. Eventually what you have will wear out or lost. If you have a another one then your clown is not without something very important to your show. With respect to fabric, there is a good chance your pattern will not be available when you need matching accessories. Buying more fabric than you need will help make sure you have enough for when you do need it. Besides, if you can buy the entire bolt of fabric, it is cheaper by the yard.
Be the Best You Can Be
Whether you've been clowning for a week, a decade or a lifetime, always strive to be the most professional clown you can be. Attend conventions, join an alley, go to clown camp and learn new routines. Every time you put on makeup and perform, your are making a lasting impression on somebody's life. Please, make it a good one.
New Year's Resolution
Making a 1999 New Year's resolution? Resolve to be the most knowledgeable clown you can be. Attend a regional, national or international convention this year. Attend seminars, read books, watch videos, but make yourself smarter. Click on tbe Books or the Events Icon or check the alleys for one near you.
Web Site of Interest
Looking
for another good clowning site on the WWW? Visit the "Clown
Message Board". Based in Norway, there are many threaded
messages with useful information. The address is http://klovn.no/message.htm
and I'm sure you'll find the trip worth while.
Interesting International Clown Organization
Clowns International is the oldest established clowns' organisation in the world. It is Non-Political, Non-Sectarian and Non-Sexist.
Clowns can join as Full Members, under 16's are encouraged to join as Junior Clowns and the general public can also join as Friends Of Clowns. Clowns International holds regular conventions where clowns, old and new can learn more about the art of Clowning with ongoing lectures and workshops. As a new member you will receive 4 copies a year of our official magazine The Joey (produced by our editor Flossie) which is full of tips, information, pictures, letters from fellow clowns plus a whole lot
more. The Treasurer of Clowns International (R-Jay) is currently setting up Credit Card Transactions for our Oversea Members. Membership fees are as follows.
For more
infomration visit these websites: http://www.clown.r-jay.clara.net/clown.htm
http://www.staffordr.freeserve.co.uk/clowns.htm
Let 'em Know in Advance
If you do clown ministry, hospital or nursing home visits, make sure everything is arranged and approved before your arrival. In a religious environment, introduce your clowning in a neutral situation - at a dinner or during youth programs. If your clown becomes part of the traditional worship - let the people know well in advance. Clowns are not always welcomed in a worship environment.
Doing hospitals? Know the rules. Contaminating a patient with someone else's disease is not good clowning.
Video Tape Your Show
If you have time to setup and permission from your sponsor, make video tape of your show. This tape will allow you to see yourself in action - the way your audience does. Do your movements come across the way they should? Do you project your voice? Is your back to the audience? Seeing yourself as others see you can be a real eye opener. This works well for rehearsals too.
A Great Website
If you're looking for a great place to visit on the WWW, then I suggest going to the web site of Freckles and Company. While you're there, visit "Balloons by John", Clown Town or visit Freckles' home page. This is a great site you won't want to pass up!
Visit them at http://www.freckles1.com/
Learn by Watching Others
The best way I know to be funny is to watch other good performers. Notice what they do and say and how they handle an audience. I am not suggesting you copy everything they do! Read books on clowning and any related fields like juggling, magic, unicycling, stilt-walking, balloon twisting, etc. Now, take the skills you have and work on how to make them funny. In my shows, for example, I use a great deal of magic, and yet I am not a great magician. I use juggling, but I am not a great juggler. I make balloon animals, but I am not...okay, I AM a great balloon sculptor. The point is to take what you know and add humor and bits of silliness and try to relate to your audience. You are not there to impress them with great magical skills or feats of juggling dexterity. You are there to provide them with some light-hearted fun, to give them a chance to laugh and maybe just forget about reality for a bit by putting smiles on their faces.
Submitted by Pockets
You may e-mail Pockets at Sorly@aol.com
Looking for a Place to Play on the WWW
Try visiting Snappy and Chad's website at http://www.fun101.com/. Not only do they sell balloons and magic tricks, but if you click on the "Hey Kids" button you see magic tricks, party games and jokes from kids. They also have a joke of the month contest. Check it out - there's alot to be learned there.
Dealing with Children's Fears
I am
Wheeler the Clown. I face children with two fears. One fear of
clowns;
two fear of wheelchairs. I can honestly say that in the 18 years
I have been
clowning, I have only left a party once with a child still afraid
of me, and
that is mostly do to the fact that the adults whisked her
downstairs the
moment she started to cry, and returned to the basement every
time they
brought her up because she was still crying.
My
technique: First, I don't go out of my way to scare kids
(exaggerated, big
movements, etc.) Secondly, I tell the adults present to let the
frightened
child to determine his/her own space from me. Third, I find out
the child's
name and repeatedly speak to the child throughout my show. The
child always
warms up to this, and will usually answer questions, and in the
end comes up
to me to get a balloon. The last time this happened the formerly
frightened
child came up and hugged me as I was leaving.
Submitted
by Wheeler The Clown.
You may e-mail Wheeler at DHK52980@aol.com
Looking to Put Your Clown on the WWW?
Here Are
Some Things To Do
1) Keep
Icon Graphics small, less than 4,000 bytes (2k) is better.
2) Always spell check and proofread your pages before publishing.
Poor grammar and carelessness is a direct reflection on your
ability to deliver a quality product.
3) Test your page to make sure your links work, your graphics are
placed correctly and all of your features work as designed.
4) Test your page with multiple browsers, different computers and
preferably with different connections. Not all browsers work the
same.
5) Keep It Simple Silly - Overly complicated pages are hard to
follow and often lose the reader.Looking to Put Your Clown on the
WWW?
Things To
Avoid
1) Several
large photos on one page. Remember, each 100,000 byte photo takes
almost 5 minutes to
download at 28,000 baud.
2) Using other peoples artwork without giving them credit.
3) Linking to other people's sites and giving the impression it
is your work.
4) Making a page too busy with multiple colors, swirly artwork
and disarrayed text. Besides giving people
headaches, you lose their interest and drive them away.
5) Profanity and sexually explicit or hateful phrases. This
amounts to cyber graffiti which clogs bandwidth
while broadcasting the designer's immaturity and social
irresponsibility.
Looking
for a Fun Site on the WWW?
A regular contributor of the "Inspiration of the Week"
is Yaa Yaa the Clown. She also has a wonderful
web site on the WWW at http://members.aol.com/kechew/ where you
can find jokes, games, some
wonderful stories and links to other kid sites. I highly
recommend this site to anyone wanting to learn a
few jokes or stories, or just want to make their day a little bit
brighter. Therefore, I have awarded
Hickory's Red Nose Award to Yaa Yaa's World, a magnificent
Internet Site.
Origami
Web Site
Want to do
something fun and different at your next party? How about turning
a piece of paper into a crane with wings that can flap - or into
boxes that fit inside of each other.
"What's
Origami?
"Origami is one of the arts of the paperfolding. I think,
however, origami is not same as paperfolding.
"In my opinion, origami is bringing out by folding the or
ganic
shapes which was hidden in the mechanical-shaped paper. You can
make some complex shapes with square or simple-shaped paper. But
remember all the shapes are prepared in square paper. Square
paper has infinite possibility. "
Hatori Koshiro
Visit
Koshiro's Animated Origami Website at http://www.jade.dti.ne.jp/~hatori/index.html and you will see animated
pictures that teach you Origami. Many links and useful
information will introduce you to this amazing - magical art
form.
Computer Viruses - Protecting Your Computer
Generally
speaking, "A virus is a piece of software designed and
written to adversely affect your
computer by altering the way it works without your knowledge or
permission" (Symantec Antivirus Research Center http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/vinfodb.html). More and more, computer
viruses are released that do considerable damage to home and
business computers. The threat is real and the effects can be
devastating.
Typically, viruses are spread as e-mail attachments, but they can also be transmitted through programs shared on diskettes or even purchased from your local computer store. Be especially careful with programs purchased from computer fairs or through discount software dealers. Often, these are bootleg copies which may contain virus programs.
There are several things you can do to protect your computer against infection, or minimize the effect of a virus attach:
1) Never open e-mail attachments from people you do not know. In order for the virus to spread, the host program must be run. Be especially careful of .exe files because these are executable programs.
2) Buy an anti-virus software program and get frequent updates to the virus definitions. These programs are inexpensive and well worth the investment.
3) Backup your computer system onto diskettes, tapes, zip disk or CD ROM. Keep your original diskettes save (with passwords and serial numbers) in case they need to be reloaded. A current backup is your computer's best friend.
For the sake of simplicity, there are currently 3 types of unwanted programs (viruses) that are infecting computers today. The most important thing to remember is that none of these can be spread unless you run an infected program on your computer. If you receive an e-mail attachment that contains a virus, you will not be infected unless you open the attachment and the program is executed. The recent happy99 virus was sent as a .exe file. I received it as an attachment and did not get infected - coworkers opened the file and did. Also, MSWordŽ and other word processing documents can contain macros that have the ability to spread virus programs. Bottom line, don't run anything unless you know who gave it to you.
Viruses - Causes immediate and sometimes devastating effects on your computer. Can be as malicious as destroying your operating system to as amusing as showing funny cartoons.
Worm - These programs attach themselves to other programs on your computer or may actually modify the program itself. They too can be quite destructive.
Trojan Horse - These programs are designed to run undetected and perform such stealth activities as sending your userid and password to a malicious hacker.
Hoaxes - These are not viruses, but e-mails claiming to warn you about viruses. They are all designed to scare you, warning of impending doom if you encounter this e-mail attachment. There is a great deal of worry and concern for your safety and that of others. Usually there is a very obvious trail of forwards after forwards. If you receive a hoax - or think is a hoax - check out some of the links below. Most contain hoax info.
Computer
Viruses - Protecting Your Computer
(Part 3 of
3)
A hoax is an e-mail which claims to warn you about a terrible virus which is headed your way. These are normally forwarded by very well meaning individuals who are trying to do you a favor. They are your cyber-friends trying to protect you from impending doom.
There really is no harm in the Hoax itself, but some of the negative things that result from spreading those hoax e-mails are:
1) Clog up
e-mails of the users who get them
2) Unauthorized / unwanted distribution of private e-mail
addresses. I am convinced that many of those annoying spam lists
I'm on are because of well meaning hoax distribution. Typically,
my name is included with 10 other names and I am on the 4th or
5th forward, with each group having 10 or more names. By the time
this one e-mail gets around there could be several hundred e-mail
addresses on there, that a SPAM list builder could work off of.
3) Begin ignoring real virus alerts, because you figure every
e-mail that says "Virus Alert" is a hoax, you won't
bother opening the one that really is for real.
Some
Current Hoaxes:
AOL4FREE Hoax or What?
BUDDYLST.ZIP EMAIL VIRUS HOAX
Guts to Say Jesus
If you receive an e-mail warning you of a virus, please validate against some of the virus informational sites listed below. If you cannot verify that this is a hoax, send it on to your friends. It is better to be too careful than ignore something that is important. If you are not sure, send me you e-mail. I will check it out. Remember, a current backup is the best way to protect against the effects of a virus infection. BACK UP / SAVE your computer files OFTEN.
For more information on virus protection, check out one of these sites. This list was compiled by CIAC, Computer Incident Advisory Capability, a part of the U.S. Department of Energy