Calgary Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.cg.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.cg.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.cg.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.cg.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: cg.shawcable.net

West Kootenays Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.wk.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.wk.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.wk.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.wk.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: wk.shawcable.net

East Kootenays Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.ek.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.ek.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.ek.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.ek.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: ek.shawcable.net

Edmonton Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.ed.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.ed.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.ed.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.ed.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: ed.shawcable.net

Fot McMurray Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.fm.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.fm.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.fm.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.fm.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: fm.shawcable.net

Nanaimo Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.no.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.no.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.no.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.no.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: no.shawcable.net

Northern BC Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.nb.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.nb.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.nb.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.nb.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: nb.shawcable.net

Okanagan Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.ok.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.ok.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.ok.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.ok.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: ok.shawcable.net

Prince George Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.ca.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.ca.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.ca.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.ca.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: ca.shawcable.net

Red Deer Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.rd.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.rd.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.rd.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.rd.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: rd.shawcable.net

Vancouver (Abbotsford) Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.va.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.va.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.va.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.va.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: va.shawcable.net

Vancouver Central Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.vc.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.vc.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.vc.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.vc.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: vc.shawcable.net

Vancouver Central Valley Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.vf.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.vf.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.vf.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.vf.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: vf.shawcable.net

Vancouver North Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.vn.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.vn.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.vn.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.vn.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: vn.shawcable.net

Vancouver Surrey Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.vs.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.vs.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.vs.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.vs.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: vs.shawcable.net

Vancouver White Rock Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.vw.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.vw.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.vw.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.vw.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: vw.shawcable.net

Victoria Shaw Cable mail servers:

• Incoming mail server (POP3): shawmail.gv.shawcable.net
• Outgoing mail server (SMTP): shawmail.gv.shawcable.net
• News server (NNTP): shawnews.gv.shawcable.net
• Proxy server: proxy.gv.shawcable.net
• Domain suffix: gv.shawcable.net

This may not seem like a big deal, but if I know M$, this wouldn’t be happening if this wasn’t a big deal. Read on…

Microsoft’s urgent security update: What it means | News – Security – CNET News

Earlier today, Microsoft did something unusual. The company made an exception to its normal security processes and issued an “out-of-band” urgent update. The update applied is classified as critical for Windows XP and older versions and is considered important for Windows Vista.

After speaking with Microsoft earlier today, I strongly suggest that users understand the importance of this update and begin emergency patching procedures immediately. While exploits around this Windows vulnerability have been limited thus far, Microsoft concedes that it could be exploited by old-school Internet-based worms a la 2004 and do massive amounts of damage. In addition to patching Windows systems, I also encourage users to install the latest security signatures from endpoint and network security vendors.

I doubt we’ll ever see another blaster worm incident again, but this is still a little scary nonetheless.

To get the patch, visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Scenario 1 – “The Super Clean”

If you have many pop-ups, your computer runs slow, you have error messages and you have just about had it with you PC, you may want to choose this option. This option can create a lot more work for you in the end, but it almost always guarantees a very clean system when you are through

Scenario 2 – “The Selective Clean”

If your system has been running fairly well, and you do not suspect spyware, malware or viruses choose this option. It will be faster than “The Super Clean”, but may be difficult to choose what services you want to disable.

“The Super Clean”

Please read the warning about disabling services if you have chose to use the super clean method – disabling some startup items can also cause computer malfunctions.

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Open the system configuration utility
3. Click on the tab called Startup .
4. Click the Disable All button, then Click Apply.
5. Configure Windows to boot into normal mode if you are finished working in Safe Mode
6. Read this warning before clicking Close.

“The Selective Clean”

If you have chosen to perform a selective clean you will only be disabling certain startup items.

Please read the warning about disabling services – disabling some startup items can also cause computer malfunctions.

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Open the system configuration utility
3. Click on the tab called Startup .
4. The key to success in disabling non-essential startup items lies in the ” Command” column. You will need to expand the column (widen it) so that you can read all of the text, and look for keywords.

You may not want to disable any software that you recognize or think may be important, however, to err on the side of caution you may choose to disable it in case it is in actual fact a virus, disguised as a legitimate startup program.

EXAMPLE: You may have installed Norton AntiVirus by Symantec Corp at one point. Look for words that refer to “Norton” or “Symantec”. If you use AOL software, you will want to look for items that say “AOL”.

Once you have identified the startup items you DO NOT want to disable, proceed with un-checking the startup items in the “Startup Item” column that you DO want to disable.

1. Configure Windows to boot into normal mode if you are finished working in Safe Mode

As mentioned earlier, some types of viruses and malware monitor when they are attempted to be disabled. By booting to safe mode, you are ensuring the malware and viruses do not become active and prevent you from effectively disabling them.

• Boot into Safe Mode.
• Open the System Configuration Utility
• Click on the Startup tab. You are now ready to disable startup items.

It is actually quite simple to disable services, but choosing what services you want to disable can be a little more difficult.

If you have not already booted your computer into safe mode, please go back to the section that describes how to do this before continuing. It is important that you perform these procedures in safe mode as it will ensure the services stay disabled once you reboot, particularly if you are infected with a virus.

1. Boot into Safe Mode .
2. Open the system configuration utility
3. Click on the tab called Services . Put a check mark in the box next to Hide all Microsoft Services. After doing this you may see only a few services, this is normal. We are now ready to disable services!

Disable Non-Essential Services

This step is where things start to get a bit tricky. I am going to put two scenarios in front of you so you can choose what you feel best describes the current state of your computer.

Scenario 1 – “The Super Clean”

If you have many pop-ups, your computer runs slow, you have error messages and you have just about had it with you PC, you may want to choose this option. This option can create a lot more work for you in the end, but it almost always guarantees a very clean system when you are through

Scenario 2 – “The Selective Clean”

If your system has been running fairly well, and you do not suspect spyware, malware or viruses choose this option. It will be faster than “The Super Clean”, but may be difficult to choose what services you want to disable.

“The Super Clean”

-WARNING-

The Super Clean is a full fledge disabling of ALL non-essential services. When you disable all non-essential services you will suffer the following consequences and will need to take appropriate action on the reboot to rectify these situations:

• Some programs may not work properly. This includes Anti-Virus, and other security software. If you disable software, you will need to re-install the software and update it to ensure you are protected and have the latest version, or determine what service needs to be re-checked to make the software work properly.
  
• Also, because this method may render some software inoperable, you may see error messages on the reboot that states a program is corrupt, disabled, or non-functional. Once again, these problems will be rectified by re-installing the software, or re-enabling the services that you disabled.
  
• You may lose the ability to connect to the internet. If this is the case, you will need to reinstall all software provided to you by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) in order to get back online, or re-check the services that need to be running for you to connect to the internet. Most users on cable internet will not have to worry about this problem.
  

Directions / Steps:

1. Boot into Safe Mode.
2. Open the system configuration utility
3. Click on the tab called Services . Put a check mark in the box next to Hide all Microsoft Services. After doing this you may see only a few services, this is normal.
4. Click the Disable All button, then Click Apply. Yes, it’s that easy.

Proceed on to the next section on disabling startup items to complete the Super Clean.

“The Selective Clean”

If you have chosen to perform a selective clean you will only be disabling certain services.

1. Please read the warning about disabling services as disabling certain services may cause problems with certain functionality of the computer on the next reboot.
2. The key to a successful selective clean is to pay very close attention to the column called ” Manufacturer”. The first thing you want to do is determine what services you DO NOT want disable. You can do this by identifying the manufacturers you know and trust. If you are unsure, you may want to err on the side of caution and not disable the service.
3. Once you have identified the services you DO NOT want to disable, proceed with un-checking the services in the “Service” column that you DO want to disable.
4. Once you are satisfied with the services you have chosen to disable, Click the ” Apply ” button.

Notes about disabling services:

Please read the warning about disabling services if you have any problems after modifying start up services. This will explain why you may be seeing these errors, and what you can do to prevent them.

As mentioned before, many services are not crucial to the operation of your computer. In fact, there are some services that don’t do much but contribute to your PC slowing down!

By disabling services you free up valuable resources towards the use of programs and applications you would like to use at optimal performance.

Also, some variants of viruses and Malware install themselves as services.

NOTE: Some advanced variants of spyware and malware services have the ability to see when they are being disabled. Usually, booting to safe mode ensures the malware and viruses do not become active and prevent you from effectively disabling them.

What is a service?

Think of a service as software in your computer that “serves” programs and hardware in by carrying out very specific tasks. For example, a “Print Spooler” is a service that manages print jobs you send to your printer. If your printer can’t handle the amount of information you are sending it, the Print Spooler will recognize this and slow down the transfer of information.

Some services are essential to the operation of your computer, while other services are considered non-essential and will cause no problems in your computer if you disable them.

Safe mode is a diagnostic mode or operational state where Windows runs with as few programs and services as possible. It’s like taking away everything inside of a house and only leaving the structure. The house is still there, but it is no longer filled with clutter that you would have to normally walk around.

The reason you need to boot into safemode first is because most viruses and spyware do not load there. This allows us to work in an environment where viruses and spyware are not active, allowing us to configure your system to start cleanly the next time you start the computer into normal mode.

Opening the System Configuration Utility

Step 1.
             Click Start
> Run
.  Type in “
msconfig
“ without the quotes. Click OK.

Step 2.
             Be careful using the System Configuration Utility read more on this site to see how to disable items.

You use the System Configuration Utility to disable programs from starting up when your computer starts. Since all viruses and malware have to start up when you computer starts, the system configuration utility is a great place to start in preventing them from loading.