High-Speed Internet

High-speed Internet access, or "broadband," is becoming more popular among Internet users. According to the Federal Communications Commission, the number of broadband subscribers increased by 42% in 2003. Broadband Internet access is significantly faster than a dial-up connection and is always connected.

Below, you will find a discussion of the dangers of high-speed Internet connections and ways to stay secure from these dangers. There is also an in-depth analysis of the many different types of high-speed Internet connections.

Danger at High Speeds

“82% [of those surveyed] are aware of the tip about using anti-virus software ...however 11% of these 'aware' users still don't have this software installed on their home PC.”

Digital Marketing Survey on Internet Security, August 2002

Viruses

Using a high-speed Internet connection does not make a user more susceptible to viruses, Trojan horses, or worms than any other connection. However, the convenience and the speed make people more likely to download files from untrustworthy e-mail or websites. Users of high-speed Internet access should be especially careful in choosing an anti-virus program and making sure that it is updated frequently.

Hacking and DoS attacks

Unprotected high-speed Internet connections can be vulnerable to malicious attacks from the Internet. Hacking and denial of service (DoS) attacks can be averted easily by installing a firewall.

Always On

When using a broadband Internet connection, if your computer is turned on, you are connected to the Internet. There are several steps you can take to help secure your connection explained below.

How to Stay Secure

None of the above dangers should prevent anyone from subscribing to high-speed Internet services. You can protect against these dangers by employing a few countermeasures.

• Install a firewall.
• Use anti-virus software.
• Update your anti-virus software weekly.
• Run a virus scan at least once a week.
• Use secure passwords.
• Back-up your system.
• Consider turning off your computer when not in use.

Types of High-Speed Connections

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or digital phone connections have been around for more than 10 years, and are no longer used frequently. ISDN uses your existing phone lines to carry data to and from the Internet.

For more information, see this ISDN tutorial.

xDSL

This term refers to the many types of Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL). Home users commonly use ADSL and SDSL, which can have download rates of nearly 1Mbps. The others (HDSL and VDSL) are faster versions of xDSL, more expensive, and used primarily by businesses. The download rates on these lines can be as fast as 32Mbps. Like ISDN, these connections use regular telephone lines to carry data.

For more information on xDSL, see Webopedia's explanation.

CABLE

This high-speed connection uses existing cable television lines to carry you to the Internet. The speed can vary slightly depending on the number of people using cable near you, but it is capable of downloading and uploading at speeds up to 1Mbps.

For more information on cable modem, visit Cable-modem.net.

T1

A T1 connection consists of a series of 64Kbps connections linked together to form a 1.544Mbps connection. Users are usually able to purchase only a fraction of this connection from their ISP. Because a T1 connection can accommodate up to 200 users, many businesses use it to connect their employees to the Internet or to host high traffic websites.

For more information on T1 connections, visit EverthingT1.com.

T3

T3 lines, also called DS3, make up the main structure ("backbone") of the Internet by connecting large ISPs and very large web hosting facilities. The T3 line is made up of 672 individual 64Kbps channels for a total download and upload speed of 43Mbps. Like a T1 line, a special digital interface is needed in order to connect to the T3.

For more information on T3 connections, visit EverythingDS3.com.