What
is ADSL?
What
extra precautions do I need to take while using Broadband?
What
is a firewall?
How
does a firewall work?
How
do I check if my line is capable of ADSL?
What
are the benefits of Broadband?
Where
can I get independent advice on Broad band suppliers?
Some
advice?
What
is ADSL? - ADSL stands for Asymmetric
Digital Subscriber Line and it is one of a number of Digital Subscriber
Lines. It is a rather fancy name for the technology that splits
your phoneline into 2 parts - one for voice and one for data.
The reason the Asymmetric bit crops up is that the line has different
speeds for uploading (sending data to the web) and downloading.
The normal speed for residential lines is 512K download and 256
upload. Higher speeds are available if you live close enough to
the exchange but the costs do go up quite steeply for the faster
connections.
What extra precautions do I need
to take while using Broadband? - The
main point to note is that with Broadband you are connected to
the internet whenever the computer is switched on and plugged
into the phoneline. To ensure you are safe while you surf, the
first thing to do is ensure your virus software is up to date.
Secondly,
some form of firewall needs to sit between you and the internet.
Windows XP has a built- in firewall but I recommend switching
it off and using a third party one instead. See the next section
for comments on firewalls.
Thirdly,
I suggest scanning your computer with a piece of software called
Ad-aware. This looks for a type of software program called Spyware.
Spyware is software that does something other than what you think
it does. For example some types track which internet sites you
visit and report the information back to a central database which
is used by the companies that send out spam email. Ad-aware can
be downloaded for free from
LAVASOFT.
Fourthly,-
I would advise installing a pop-up blocker. This stops most of
those really irritating boxes that pop up while you are trying
to read your favourite site. A good quality free one ( I like
free software that does what is says it does!) is written by a
company called Panicware and you can download it
HERE. The other option is to add the google toolbar to your
browser. This does the same as the panicware software above, but
also gives you a handy search button as well. Go to Google.co.uk,
click on "more" and follow the links to the Google toolbar.
Read the part about the features carefully and the amount of information
you wish to disclose to Google.
The
final piece of advice while using Broadband is just to keep your
wits about you - the same rules that apply in normal life still
apply. If something looks too good, chances are that it is too
good and remember there is no such thing as a free lunch.
What is a firewall?
- A firewall can be a piece of software or a hardware box that
sits between your computer and the internet. Most businesses that
have networks use the hardware type but these can be difficult
to set up and costly to purchase. For home users a good quality
software firewall should be enough and the one of choice at present
is Zonealarm - this can be downloaded for free for personal use
from ZONEALARM.
How does a firewall work? -
How long you got? Basically a firewall works by blocking ports
on your computer. Your computer has somewhere in the region of
65000 ports which it uses to communicate with other computers.
For example when you send mail you use port number 25 and when
you receive you use port number 110. So some ports are required
to be open and in use but a great many of them do no. So, a firewall
shuts them off, closes them and keeps you secure. If you want
to know more about firewalls and are having trouble sleeping at
night type "firewall" into google and scan some of the
sites that come up. Here is a good place to start - How
stuff works
How do I check if my line is
capable of ADSL? - The quickest and
easiest method is to go to the BT web site and type your phone
number in. Follow this link to take you to the right bit of their
site -
GO TO BT
What are the benefits of Broadband?
- An "always on" connection means no waiting to connect,
to download email or to surf the web. Downloads which took ages
on a modem take minutes instead of hours. Stream video and music
is now possible. Connections can be shared meaning that if you
run more than one computer, it is possible for all users to enjoy
the web at a reasonable speed. It keeps the phone free for phone
calls and there is no requirement for a second line.
Where can I get independent advice
on Broadband suppliers? - The site I
use for information on Broadband is ADSL
Guide. Here you will find everything you need to know about
Broadband in the UK.
Some advice?
- Here at Dalbytech we have been using Satellite broadband for
over a year - I can't tell if you if it has saved me money or
made me more efficient, but it has increased the amount of time
I use the web. Doing research is now a pleasure and not a chore,
huge windows updates can be done ensuring our systems remain up
to date and patched with the latest security fixes from Microsoft.
Email arrives and is sent without fuss. I would suggest if you
use the internet now, or have family members who do, give broadband
a go. The costs are higher than a dial up modem but by shopping
around, using sites like ADSL Guide, you will find some really
good deals and if you don't like it there is nothing stopping
you going back to modem access.
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