Cable Modem / DSL |
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Last Updated: July 8, 2007
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Today's Best Choice - Cable ModemD-Link DCM-202 High-Speed DOCSIS 2.0 Cable Modem. This modem has DOCSIS 2.0 that many internet phone / Voice Over IP (VoIP) broadband phone services need. It connects to a USB or Ethernet network, has an internal power supply, and a convenient standby switch. Buying your own modem rather than renting from your cable TV provider pays for itself in a little over a year. Make sure to run the coaxial cable through a surge protector to protect your modem from getting fried from a nearby lightning strike. I lost a modem that way when they used to be $250 each. Ouch. Read reviews from over 380 happy owners from NewEgg.com. Buy it for $60. |
Broadband is the term used to describe a fast connection to the internet that cable modems and DSL lines provide. Speed, service, and prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but generally, $40/month is the lowest price for either service. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where the service is provided, then I'd seriously look into making the switch. It will drastically change how you use your computer. More than half of the things I do with a computer revolve around a fast internet connection.
Voice Over IP (VoIP) - a.k.a. Internet Phone
Tom's Hardware writes, "What I found out was that the original cable modem I was using was an older model that supported the v1.0 DOCSIS standard. In order for me to get my VoIP service working properly I had to buy a new cable modem that supported the version 2.0 standard."
If you want two or more computers to share this faster internet connection, please see the networking section.
Don't forget to install firewall software for your protection (see below).
Make it Faster
If you have a cable or DSL connection, you'll want to tweak your computer to get the maximum speed. It's as easy as downloading and running a program.
Test Your Connection Speed - check your connection speed before and after the speed tweaks below.
SpeedGuide.net - you'll have to browse to see what downloads or tips apply to you. They depend on if you have a DSL line or cable modem, which version of Windows you have, and the name of your provider.
Broadband Reports - run a test to see which tweak(s) you need. Mine tested OK after I ran the one program from above.
Cable Modem Info - all about cable modems.
Firewall
If you decide to get a cable modem or DSL line, you'll need to install additional software called a firewall. Since you are directly connected to the internet, anyone can copy files to and from your hard drive. This includes giving you a virus. People try to give me a virus several times every hour. This wasn't a problem with a dial up connection because your internet service provider had the firewall software installed on their server.
Firewall software checks incoming data for intrusion, just like a gateway or router would do. However, the software also checks outgoing data. A Trojan is a type of virus that sends data from your computer, across the internet, and back to it's owner on how to hack into your computer. If a Trojan some how got on to your computer, only the firewall software would detect it.
If you have a home network, install a firewall on each computer.
I use the firewall that comes with McAfee VirusScan Plus 2007 for $8 per year. Zone Alarm 7 (free for personal use), Zone Alarm Pro 7 ($40) and Norton Internet Security 2007 ($70) are all good choices. If you need to share files between computers, then don't use the free version of Zone Alarm. Try Comodo Firewall instead (free). Change the options to reduce the number of popup dialog boxes.
See the top rated security suites at PC Magazine (Apr 2007) and PC World (May 2006).
Make sure to regularly check the strength of your firewall by running free programs such as Shields Up, Hacker Wacker, Symantec's Security Check, and ExtremeTech/SysCheck.