A local access phone number is a local phone number we provide in your local calling area that you would use to dial-up to CALIS. To find out what your local access phone number is click here.

Note: Please verify that your dial-up number is a local telephone call. You can verify this information by contacting your local telephone company.

Our technicians are available:

M-F  8 am – 5 pm


You can also send e-mail:  support@calis.com and visit our Web site:  www.calis.com.

A computer virus is a program that spreads itself by infecting files. When it runs, a virus will essentially wrap a file's data in its own code. When the file is opened, the virus runs its program first and then opens the file as initially requested. Some computer viruses are malicious, erasing files or locking up systems; others merely present a problem solely through the act of infecting other code. Standard viruses will spread only when an infected file is transferred from one computer to another.

Computer worms are self-propagating and can not be considered ordinary viruses. Worms, unlike other viruses, don't infect files, but entire disks or computer systems. Because worms can't rely on file-to-file transfers to spread their code, they need to have a way of sending themselves to other computer systems and the most common way is via e-mail. Known as mass mailers due to the technique of spamming themselves to every address in the e-mail address book, such worms generally require a person's action to spread.

In either case, computer virus infections should not go untreated.

Viruses come in many shapes and sizes, such as:

File infectors
These viruses attach themselves to regular programs, such as .COM or .EXE files under DOS. Thus, they are invoked each time the infected program is run.

Cluster infectors
They modify the file system so that they are run prior to other programs. Note that, unlike file infectors, they do not actually attach themselves to programs.

Macro viruses
Word processing documents can serve as sources of transmission for viruses that take advantage of the auto-execution macro capabilities in products such as Microsoft Word. Simply by opening an infected document, the virus, written in a product's macro language, can spread.

System infectors
Computer operating systems typically set aside a portion of each disk for code to boot the computer. Under DOS, this section is called a boot sector on floppies or a master boot record (MBR) for hard disks. System infectors store themselves in this area and hence are invoked whenever the disk is used to boot the system.

1. Do not open any files attached to an e-mail from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source. This applies to e-mail attachments sent by someone you know, unless you are aware of the contents of the attached file. Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through e-mail.

2. Do not forward or reply to any to chain e-mails and junk e-mail. These types of e-mail are considered spam, which is unsolicited and intrusive.

3. Make sure that you have one of the anti-virus programs such as McAfee (www.mcafee.com) or Norton (www.norton.com) or AVG (www.grisoft.com) on your computer.

4. If you do not have any of the anti-virus programs, you may scan your computer (online) for any viruses for free.

5. When downloading files from the Internet, verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all.

6. Update your anti-virus software regularly so that it is capable of detecting latest viruses discovered. To update your anti-virus software now, click here.

7. Update your Windows regularly to make sure that you have the critical and most updated files and programs for your system. This enhances the virus detection capability and makes virus prevention easier. To do windows update now, click here.

8. Back up your files on a regular basis. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer (e.g floppy disk).

If you are using a PC with Microsoft Windows 95/98/ME/XP/NT/2000, you may follow the instructions below for fixes, updates and enhancements to Windows and other programs that work with Windows.

1. Go to Start -> Windows Update or www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

2. Click on PRODUCT UPDATES link. If a "Security Warning" dialog box pops up on the screen, click on "Yes" to continue.

Windows Update scans your system to see what you have installed and gives you a list of suggested components. This scan is done on your computer to ensure the safety and privacy of your system information. This system check assures that you will get the most up-to-date and accurate versions of anything you choose to download from the site. Additionally, you won't waste time downloading components you have already installed.

3. When the list of components appears on the page, you can browse it, decide which components you want, and download them right to your computer. When you decide you want a certain component, click the box next to it. A check mark appears in the box (If you decide you don't want a product you've already selected, just click the box again to remove the check mark). Before you choose to download a component, "Read this first" link for important information.

Note: Be sure to download any critical updates recommended for your system. Critical updates will fix known problems (such as security issues) specific to your computer.

4. When you have selected all the components you want, click the "Download" button.

5. Click the "Start Download" button. All the components you selected will be downloaded, then installed. This process may take a while depending on the size of the file and your connection speed. When you see the "Installation Complete" message, you're done! Some components may require you to shut down and restart your computer after installation of all components is complete.

Important: You should do the Windows updates every so often to keep your system updated.

For instructions, click here.

Web content filtering is an optional service CALIS offers to you if you want your Internet access to be filtered of offensive Web sites. This service was implemented in response to the growing concern about the amount of inappropriate content freely available on the World Wide Web. It is designed to help families and individuals who do not wish to be subjected to this content by filtering out the Web pages that directly contain the unwanted contents like porn, violence, gambling, hate and drugs. The service is controlled by a special setting within your Web browsing software (Netscape or Internet Explorer). If you would like to subscribe to this service, please e-mail our support staff at support@calis.com or call our office at 1.800.953.9525 during our regular business hours. One of our technicians will be able to take you through the set-up process required within your Web browser and will be able to explain how the filter works. To set up your computer for Web content filtering, click here for instructions. This service will not in any way affect other services CALIS provides to you, such as e-mail or FTP, and again, only those customers who contact us and request this filtering service will be billed the additional charges. For existing CALIS customer to sign up click here.

Disclaimer: Because the Internet is constantly changing, CAL Internet Services can not guarantee to block 100% of offensive content. However, if you notify CALIS of any offensive content that is not blocked, we will be happy to consider blocking the offensive site.

To protect your family and children from pornography, alcohol and tobacco sites on the Web or if you are concerned about what your employees can access on the Internet, you can filter Internet content.

- One alternative is through the Internet Explorer Internet Content. Microsoft Internet Explorer supports a ratings standard ratified by the World Wide Web Consortium called PICS. You can control access to online material using any PICS-based Internet ratings system. Internet Explorer includes a built-in ratings system called RSACi that lets you choose different levels of allowable language, nudity, sex, and violence. Parents or managers can also set passwords to allow access to any Web site. Plus, they can block viewers from accessing Web sites that aren't rated. Microsoft Content Advisor

Also, you can use a filtering software such as Surf Watch: http://www1.surfwatch.com/index.html or Net Nanny: http://www.netnanny.com

You need to download and install the Ad-aware software to remove spyware (responsible for pop up ad windows) from your computer. Click here to find more information about this software.

If you are too far from the telephone company central office to qualify for DSL or if DSL is not available in your area, Multilink PPP is a viable option. Multilink PPP enables your computer to use two or more communications ports as if they were a single port of greater bandwidth. This means that if you use two modems to connect to the Internet, you can connect at double the speed of a single modem. Multilink PPP is now supported by Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0

- Windows NT supports Multilink PPP with a maximum of 4 modems. Service Pack 3 should be installed for better performance.
- Windows 98 supports Multilink PPP with a maximum of 4 modems. The dial-up metworking security upgrade should be installed for better performance.
- Windows 95 will support Multilink PPP with a maximum of 2 modems if the dial-up metworking 1.3 upgrade is installed.

2. Two or more phone lines.

3. CAL Internet Services Multilink PPP service.

You will need a dial-up account for each concurrent connection. CAL Internet Services is offering a dual line connection. There are no extra set up fees to enable Multilink PPP.

For instructions, click here.

For instructions, click here.