As you may have heard on the news, Internet users worldwide are experiencing problems with their computers shutting down abruptly. This is not a problem with your CenturyTel Internet service. It is the result of a computer worm that scans computers checking to see if port 135 is open. If so, the worm takes advantage of the computer and shuts it down.

If your computer has not experienced these problems, you should go to one of the web sites shown below to update your anti-virus software or install a patch to prevent infection.

Microsoft information regarding this worm:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-026.asp

Update from McAfee on this virus:
http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=description&virus_k=100547

Symantec update regarding this venerability:
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/security/Content/8205.html

If you are experiencing problems with your computer shutting down automatically, follow these steps to attempt to correct the problem (you may want to print them for reference during the procedure):
1. Unplug the phone line from your modem.
2. Restart computer.
3. For Microsoft Windows 2000, or NT
Go to Start / Search / For Files and Folders.
Confirm that Look in is set for "Local Harddrives .."
For Microsoft WindowsXP
Go to Start / Search
On the left choose "all files and folders"
Confirm that Look in is set for "Local Harddrives .."
5. Search for files and folders named: "MSBLAST.exe"
6. When computer finds the msblast file(s), right click on the file names and delete all copies of the file.
7. Shut down the machine.
8. Plug the modem back in.
9. Restart the machine.
10. Go directly to one of the web sites above and install the patch and/or update.

Please do not reply to this email. It is for informational purposes only.

Sincerely,

CenturyTel Internet Services


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