Broadband Safety

Dragon

Thought about using broadband but have heard horror stories about faster download time meaning computers are more vulnerable to intrusion/virus attack etc. Present download 46kbps but have never had a problem that BT and my Norton Internet Security can't block. Don't use the net all that much - mainly email plus a "bit" of surfing and downloading, so is it worth the risk of speeding up? Would be nice but not if it's going to put my well-behaved computer at risk. Is there really a greater vulnerability risk with broadband?

Was offered Anytime Plus by BT at same cost I am presently paying (£15.99 per month) but they wouldn't answer the above question so I didn't accept the offer.

Have now been offered 5 times faster dial-up by BT called OnSpeed for no extra cost. This is a compression system not broadband. Does this have any downside to it?

Please can somebody help me with these two novice questions? Not at all technical, so please don't confuse me!

Thanks.

Browntoa

you are no more at risk by using broadband as long as you have a firewall and up to date virus software, free firewalls are available from www.sygate.com and www.zonealarm.com , free anti-virus from www.grisoft.com

it's a case of using common sense

1) do not open attachments on emails from people you do not know
2) do not download software that some sites INSIST you need to view their sites
3) Keep you version of windows up to date by doing windows update
4)Load windows anti-spyware software if you have XP and set it to protect you automatically, you can also use spybot and ad-aware (www.lavasoft.com)
5)if you are using XP only set your access to Admin, set everyone else so they cannot load programs etc

I would avoid onspeed and take the other option from bt, or BTbasic broadband is not much more a month, you could also try virgin broadband at £17.99 a month bu NO 12 month contract and free connection

sco0ter

Your connection is only at more risk because your computer can always be left connected. I use Norton internet security and Antivirus and never had a problem. Unless you use a router you can just connect to your BB as and when needed just like dial up. If anything I think dial up is more of a risk due to Diallers. These dont work when you have broadband as your computer cant dial a number on a BB line. Talk-Talk from carphone warehouse have a deal for 1MB at £15.99 on just now.

One thing to remember about security. Dial-up is still connected to the same internet as broadband so both can be infected with the same things. Just make sure all virus and security programs are updated regularly and get yourself a spyware cleaner. If using windows XP make sure it is updated regularly, if you have service pack 2 installed make sure automatic updates is turned on.

Hope this helped

Browntoa

sort of repeated 80% of what i just said ???


forgot about the dialler thing though, think you can download a new dialler thing from BT that sets up an authorised list of numbers on you PC that you can dila the internet from, stops the hijackers if you do not update to broadband

sco0ter

Yeah! was writing it and you sneaked in before me.

Good idea from BT though an anti dialler- dialler.