Securing your Windows Xp computer is done by achieving two main tasks.

The first, is to prevent unauthorized users sitting at your computer and logging in through your keyboard.

The second, is to prevent access to your computer through your internet connection. Preventing unauthorized users is done by controlling your user accounts management.

This is done by creating one account beside the administrator account. This way, you end up with one administrator account for managing the whole system, and another user
account for using all the time you are not managing your system.

Once you install Windows Xp operating systems, you create a user account beside the
administrator account. This new account user ID and password is only known to you, the
administrator. By doing this, you disallow anyone from using your computer by sitting at
your keyboard.

The second task is to prevent unauthorized internet access from the outside world. Your
computer internet connection is the main source of all kinds of attacks that will damage
different programs installed on your computer.

Attacks from the Internet can be of different forms. Their effects can vary from slowing down
you machine to producing annoying messages. Today with the high speed Internet access,
you get bombarded with problems much more when you were using dial-up connection.

There is certain measures you can take to stop the Internet attacks through your high speed
connection. I recommend you do four things:

a-Install an Adware / Spyware removal program on your computer.

b-Install an Antivirus program.

c-Install a Pop-Up blocker program.

d-Install a Firewall, software or hardware.

In Summary, there are many numbers of ways your computer can be attacked, and
result in damages of many sorts. However, There are only few ways of protecting
your computer, which makes it easy for every computer owner to secure their
computer.

Thanks,
George Chamoun

For more about steps to secure your home computer, get my
free e-books at http://www.ebookfreestore.com

There are two measured elements that determine your internet connection speed. They are: The download rate, and the upload rate of data measured in bits per seconds. Usually, it is expressed in Kilobits per second.

A bit is the smallest piece of data that can be stored in a computer. The bit can be either “0″ or “1″. The byte is eight bits. Example of a byte and bits are the following:

bit= 0 or 1

byte=8 bits

1 byte=10011101 (eight bits)

A single charcter needs one byte or eight bits to be stored in a computer. So, when the data rate is 1 byte/sec, that means one character per second is the rate at which data is transferred through your connection.

This is very slow, and only intended for an example. In order to browse the internet, you must have at least a dial up access with a 56kb/s modem, in order to get a meaningful and practical result.

There are different types of internet connection. First they introduced the dialup connection using your phone line, then the broadband was introduced.

The broadband internet connections are DSL, Cable, or Satellite internet services. They are widely used and expanding due to the high bandwith.

When you get an internet service, your provider states that your speed will be a certain numbers. They usually give you a good idea, but not an exact one. The common asked questions
among internet users is:

How do I know what is my connection speed, and if I am getting what I was promised?.

If there anyway I can test my connection, and do I need to buy expensive software to test it?.

The answer is simple. There are two ways to test your internet connection speed:

1- The manual simple calculation test that you can do yourself without any software or third party services.

2- You can find a service that lets you run a test through their servers, and get your numbers displayed at their webpage.

1-The manual method:

Since I mentioned that the connection speed consist of two numbers, the download and upload speed. So, what you do is download from the internet any free software, and watch the result box with the result that show the size of the file and how many seconds it tool to download.

When you are done recording the download speed, upload a file of a specific size (1 Mb, 2 Mb), and time your watch when you start. When the file is uploaded, check your watch and record the time it took for the task. Then divide your file size by the seconds it took.

If you file was 2 Mb. that took 5 minutes to upload, then your upload speed is 2 Mb./300 sec. or 6.826 Kbits/sec.You can run the above test couple times, and then take the average for a better result.

2-The automated test at a third party service:

This is my preferred one, where you get to a website where the test is done for you. It is done using a script installed on their server, and letting you download and upload to their server a test file (invisible to you). Then, the result is displayed on their webpage. You just have to register for free using your email. It is free. This is a website address where they offer you a free internet connection test:

http://www.visualware.com.

In summary, don’t settle for numbers given to you by your services, do the tests whenever you can. You enjoy it, and feel that you are getting your money worth. This is because some servcies charges you 35 dollars or more for a high speed internet service.

Thanks,
George Chamoun

I have created an Ebook about troubleshooting procedures for DSL, or Cable connection problems. You can get it for free by
right clicking the link and saving to your computer:

http://www.ebookfreestore.com/software/ComputerEbook.pdf

Unlike your DSL internet access, cable internet is acquired through your local Cable TV provider. This usually provides internet access faster than most of the broadband services available.

This technology uses your existing cable TV lines to access the internet. You will pay an additional fee to your cable TV provider for this extra service. If you were previously using dial up internet connection, you will probably notice a huge speed increase when you access the internet.

The advantage of this broadband internet connection than other types of broadband is speed. It typically offers faster speeds than most broadband internet types such as the DSL and satellite internet.

However, your cable internet speed depends largely on how many people is subscribing in the same company. The more the subscriber, the more you will be sharing bandwidth, therefore, the slower your internet will be.

Cable internet is also slightly more expensive than DSL internet.

Since a cable internet has a high-speed internet connection, it offers many benefits, whether for personal use or for business.

Cable internet connection can give you the ability to download files and software faster than any other type of internet connection. This means you can share more files faster, like pictures to your friends and family wherever they are.

Another advantage is that you can play online multiplayer games and join small communities in virtual worlds.

With fast internet connection, you can use VoIP internet phones. This technology allows you to call relatives wherever they are in the world for little or no fee. VoIP also has built in features that your traditional phone company considers as additional features and charges expensive fees. Some additional features are the video phone calls, caller ID, call waiting, voice messages, long distance calls, conference calls and more.

With cable internet access, you can now play internet radio smoothly and high audio quality than dial ups can offer. You can also watch video streams like short online movies or music videos in the internet without interruptions in cable internet access.

You can also watch the latest sport events in the internet with this internet connection. Because it is fast, there will be no interruptions while you are watching.

Buying music online will be more convenient and cheaper than buying on your local music stores. All you have to do is go to an online music store and download your favorite music.

Download your favorite movies in the internet. With dial ups, these can take days or even weeks, therefore expensive. With cable internet, you can download full-length movies in a matter of hours.

Businesses can also benefit with cable internet access. Instead of traveling, they can do meetings using video conferencing. This feature can save them many travel expenses by just attending a meeting or product presentation to their clients. They can now easily close deals, therefore, more profit to their business.

Are you a student doing your homework? With cable internet, you no longer have to run to the public library to do all your research, the internet is a huge library itself and can provide you as much information as you want about your research. Since cable internet is fast, you can visit many websites to do your research and finish half the time than by using dial ups.

There are more advantages by using cable internet services. It can benefit your studies, businesses, or you can simply entertain yourself by listening to music, playing online multiplayer games or watch movies.

Communicating to your family and friends are also easier and much more convenient than a dial up internet can provide.

Bob Hett has extensively covered the Internet Service Provider industry as an analyst and has researched the various companies for factors based on price, reliability, support and overall quality. Learn more at Cable Internet Service

Just 10 years ago, the Internet was a novelty, a rarity and a luxury that most Americans were aware of but did not participate in. Now, 75 percent of Americans have Internet access at home, and many of them are using Comcast Internet.

With so many choices out there, how do you find what kind of Internet service is right for you? Simple: Choose the fastest, most reliable and most affordable. And that’s Comcast Internet.

Until a few years ago, the standard for Internet access was dialup. Today, that method of connecting to the Internet is no longer favored, as many Internet customers have high-speed access, either cable or DSL. Nearly all businesses and offices with Internet access use broadband of some kind. And Comcast cable Internet is leading the way.

Comcast cable Internet offers broadband service that is faster than most DSL services — about 6 Mbps (”6 Megs”) of download speed — so fast you’ll barely notice anything is happening. (Most DSL services only go as high as 1.5 Mbps.) When Comcast Internet says “high speed Internet,” they mean it!

With Comcast Internet access that fast, you have all the speed you need to watch videos, download songs, play online computer games and take advantage of everything else the Internet has to offer.

But look what else comcast high speed internet

gets you: As a Comcast Internet customer, you’ll have access to exclusive features like Video Mail, PhotoShow, and a variety of music, entertainment, sports and financial news at Comcast.net. The Comcast Internet home page makes you part of a vast community of fellow Comcast Internet users.

Another advantage of Comcast high speed cable Internet is that you have customer service available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If there’s a problem with your cable Internet, there will always be someone on hand to help you solve it. This is important especially to businesses, where a large portion (or sometimes all!) of their business is conducted over the Internet, thus making reliable high speed Internet a necessity.

You can also get Comcast Internet in conjunction with other Comcast services, such as Comcast digital cable. Customers often get a price break if they order a “package” of services — cable Internet and cable TV, for example. Comcast digital cable TV has a digital video recorder (DVR) option that allows you to record your favorite programs digitally and watch them later, at your convenience. With high speed Internet and digital cable with DVR, all your news and entertainment needs are taken care of through Comcast.

Comcast Internet is one of many Internet service providers, yes. But none are used as often, or praised as widely, as Comcast is for its high speed broadband Internet services. When you want to use the Internet, you want to use it quickly, efficiently and without it costing an arm and a leg. Comcast Internet gives you all that and more, making it one of the leaders in today’s broadband Internet marketplace.

Christopher M. Luck has an extensive background in working exclusively with Comcast and is now offering his free personal internet tricks to the public. If you are at all interested in Christopher’s advice, tips, or secrets, you can visit his comcast blog

Life has not been the same with the invention of the internet. It has changed the way we communicate and live our lives. High speed internet is so called, as it has a high rate of data transmission. Customers get connections at bandwidth of 256 kilobits or more. It is often called Broadband Internet access. These days the broadband implementations are up to 30 Mbit/s, which is several hundred times faster than those times when internet had become popular such as ISDN and 56 kbit/s. It even costs less than ISDN, and sometimes no more than the cost of 56 kbit/s; though the rate may differ from country to country.

Broadband connection means 56 kilobits/sec in at least one direction, and this bit rate is accepted all around the world. Broadband can also mean lower-bitrate transmission methods, as specifically no bitrate is defined by the industry. Some Internet Service Providers (ISP) take advantage of this and market lower-bitrate connections as broadband. Advanced technology in broadband can simultaneously carry and process a good amount of information at a faster rate. This gives greater connectivity or better web access, as well as higher download speeds.

DSL and Cable Modems:

Broadband connection is usually delivered through telephone lines or through cable networks. The two most popular consumer broadband technologies are DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and cable modem; both transmitting 256 kilobits per second or more, and starting at approximately four times the speed of a modem using a standard digital telephone line. Cable modems use your cable line for access to the internet. They can be cheaper than DSL. VDSL and pushing fiber optic connections are some other newer technologies that are opening up the possibility of higher performance for streaming data, such as audio and video streams, as they would permit speeds 100 times faster than the typical DSL or cable broadband connection.

Dial-up Internet Access:

In dial-up internet access, the client would have to dial up the ISP using a modem and a telephone line to establish a modem-to-modem link, which would then be routed to the Internet. This is used mostly in rural or remote areas where there are no broadband connections. This can be a time consuming process. Establishing a telephone connection and to perform handshaking before data transfers take place can take time. This way, the duration of the connection would incur costs. With modern dial-up modems the maximum possible speed is 56 kilobits/sec.

Advantages of DSL over Dial-up Connections:

DSL is faster – DSL has the advantage when it comes to speed. DSL modems are much faster than dial-up modems. DSL provides from twice as fast speed, up to 125 times faster than a 56 kilobits/sec dial-up modem. The only limit to the speed with DSL is the speed of the Internet itself and all the different computers attached to it.

No interference – Even though DSL uses your regular phone line, it doesn’t block your phone calls. You can also take and make calls while using the Internet. You do not have to log off the Internet to make a call, whereas in dial up connection you will have to log off to use the phone.

DSL is always connected – With DSL there is no need of a modem and you do not even need to dial up to do something online. You can check anything, browse through the web pages, check emails; your DSL connection will always be there.

Reliable – DSL is reliable as it is not dependant on your phone line, as phone networks always experience problems; unlike a dial-up connection where you cannot connect without a phone line.

In many countries now the governments have taken an active role in spurring broadband use, and help in building communications infrastructure for public utility like in highways or airports.

Visit High Speed Internet Services for more detailed information on DSL and High Speed Internet.

You did it! You’ve decided to leave dial-up behind for the speed of broadband Internet access. So, what are you going to do with all that speed now?

You’re really in a great position to fully enjoy all the web and Internet have to offer. Gone are the days when you’re waiting for a dial-up signal (remember all the busy signals you used to get on dial-up?) Gone are the long delays waiting for a page to load or in downloading those email attachments.

Access time, page loads and downloading email attachments are just the beginning. The benefits of broadband access far exceed that. You’re free to surf where ever and what ever you can imagine. Searches become so fast there’s not a topic anyone can thrown at you that you won’t be able to use your favorite search engine to lookup information on.

Online bill pay, shopping, gaming, streaming audio, video, uploads, downloads, research, chats, forums, instant messaging, blogs, the list goes on. Not sure what any of those terms mean? Go to your favorite search engine and type the word or phrase in and find out! The search engines are getting smarter and smarter and the result pages are more accurate today than they have ever been.

Don’t worry about online time. You may have had dial-up access that limited your online experience by placing time limits on you. After your limit was up, the cost per minute could get very expensive.

Looking to learn HTML, XML or a programming language? There are free tutorials all over the internet just waiting for you.

Surfing the internet and the web can keep you busy enough. With broadband internet access, your possibilities don’t stop there. You can setup a home network and run more than one computer on your connection at a time! No more fighting over who gets how much time online! Don’t have a second computer (or need one) at home? No problem. You also have the option of going wireless! (Ok, you could go wireless with more than one computer as well!) Wireless really breaks down the walls! (Literally!) My primary computer at home is a laptop and I love the freedom to be anywhere in my home and be online! No more wires!

Now, with your broadband internet service you’re surfing better than ever. You may have decided to hook up a home network. You might even consider VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) for your phone service and actually leverage the cost of broadband internet service by saving money on your monthly phone bills!

So many more possibilities await you.

If you’re not yet using broadband, find out what’s available in your area. Find out which vendors are offering what specials. Learn a bit about the technology, get your quote for service, get your service ordered and installed and start surfing the way it was meant to be!

Provided by FullService Broadband Provider
Providing unbiased, informative information on broadband technology. Residential, business, VoIP and much more. Visit us today at http://www.fullservice-broadband-provider.com

Comcast Cable has grown to become the largest cable service provider in the United States. It was founded back in the 1960s as a local single system cable television provider and is now available almost anywhere that cable TV is offered. With an ever growing array of competition it is interesting to note how Comcast Cable is able to lead nearly all its markets.

Available in over thirty states, it’s a safe bet that if one of those state’s residence subscribes to cable that they are using Comcast. Born as a television company, home entertainment is still its primary concern. Overall they service over twenty million homes with cable television. Furthermore they provide digital cable service to almost another ten million homes.

During the last decade the technology that’s been made available to homes has grown at such a staggering rate that it has allowed companies like Comcast to expand into providing other services. Personal computers, for instance, never would have offered a market to Comcast cable when they first began entering homes. Then came the advent of the internet. Faster computers and larger amounts of data called for speedier internet connections that dial up providers couldn’t possibly provide. Taking advantage of this new market, cable companies were able to offer their own brand of internet service which can currently offer speeds a hundred times faster then its dial up predecessor.

Comcast cable internet came to exist and it now provides high speed cyberspace access to almost eight million customers. That number represents over one third of their television subscribers which is quite staggering given how fresh the technology really is. Just think how slowly cable grew when introduced as a television service; no one wanted to pay for something that they were already getting for free. Initially cable internet had the same reaction with people not wanting to pay double the price for faster data transfer. But those numbers clearly show that the idea has definitely caught on.

Another boost for their consumer base came with the advent of the cable telephone alternative. While that idea has yet to catch on with most people being satisfied with their existing services, Comcast has still managed to attract over a million clients to this service.

Other business ventures from Comcast Cable includes several of their own channels. These include the Golf Channel, PBS Kids Sprout and TV One. Comcast even has four Comcast Sportsnets. Outside the communications ring, they also have a majority ownership in a company that has a lot of holdings. Some of these are sports teams in hockey, football and basketball; also they own two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia where Comcast is based.

Comcast cable has become a staple of the American communication world. Their employees are numbered at over seventy thousand people. As a company they continue to look to the future for new opportunities and ventures to offer their customers.

Christopher M. Luck has an extensive background in working exclusively at comcast cable and is now offering his free personal cable advice to the public. If you are at all interested in Christopher’s cable advice, tips, or secrets, you can visit his cable tips blog

Easy Guide on Networking your Home Computers

Let’s say you have 3 desktop computers at your home. One in your kid’s room, in your home-office and one in your family room. Your idea is to have all these 3 computers connect to the internet. One computer has an internet connection on a DSL or cable modem (this is just a terminology for that little box that you connect from the phoneline or cable port!).

So you want all these 3 computers connect to the internet, share files? print from any of this computer?

Here are your step-by-step guide:

(1) Your DSL or cable internet service already comes with a modem. This is a connection from your phoneline to the modem. And then, you will notice your computer#1’s
network cable directly connect to this modem called the Ethernet port (or on the USB port).

(2) For the other 2 computers to share internet connection, you must have a router with 4 ports (at least!) — looks like a telephone ports. There are a lot of router brands, one is Linksys and is my favorite. But as I have said there are a lot of different brands out there!

You must buy a network cable if you don’t have one. You can buy it from most electronic store.

(4) Here we go! (considering ofcourse we are networking a Window-based computers– Windows XP (home & professional) and Windows 2000 and higher)

(5) Connect a network cable on your router (port name: “internet” or “ethernet” – this is usually a separated port from the other 4 ports). The other end of the network cable will directly be connected to the DSL or Cable modem’s (port name: “ethernet”).

(6) Connect a network cable on each computer that you want to get connected to the internet– (connect this cable at the back of the computer (port name: ethernet).

(7) The other side of each of this network cable will then be connected on each of the port on the router

(8) Now you are ready to be connected! — turn on your dsl/cable modem. Make sure all lights are on and solid. Turn on your router.

(9) Then turn on your computer(s) — make sure the light at the back of the computer is blinking! (this is a good sign that you are connected on the network!)

(10) Then set up your router which is normally you choose the proctocol PPoE and just enter your username and password supplied to you by your internet service provider. Oh! by the way, depending on the router, the admin window of the router is on the manual. It’s so easy to find it. Trust me.

(11) If your username and password provided to you by your internet service provider is valid… then you should be connected to the internet!.Go and start browsing the internet!

*** most of the routers available in the market now are interlligent routers! There is really nothing complicated on how to set it up. Its entirely DHCP (automatic IP assignment). I don’t want to be technical but .. there you go! Enjoy and be safe on the internet!

With technology expanding rapidly in our daily life, high speed internet connection has penetrated into our homes and offices if your local internet service provider offers high speed internet connection services. In this world of instant gratification where people do not have the patience to wait anymore, it is easy to see that high speed internet connection is becoming the mainstream norm as compared to dialup connections. However, before jumping onto the high speed internet bandwagon, it is essential that we considered all the options that are available to us and most importantly the cost associated with it.

1) Local dial-up – They are simple to setup and can be costly as some companies charges phone bill while you are connected. Speed can typically range from the slowest at 26k to 56k connection speeds.

2) Cable connection – It requires a cable modem and are usually provided by company which offer cable TV. Speeds can range from 512k to the high speed of 10Mps.

3) DSL – A DSL modem is needed to be installed on to your computer. Speeds typically range from 512k to the high speed of 9Mps. The cost involved could be twice the amount of a basic dial-up.

4) Broadband – This is typically referring to a cable, DSL, wireless connections or satellite internet connections. Speeds typically range from a 512k to 1.5Mbs.

5) Wireless connection – A wireless modem is needed to be installed on to your computer and are available in limited area. Speeds typically range from 2Mbps. The advantage is that you do need a wire connection to be connected.

6) Satellite internet connection – Upload speed and download speed can be different. For example, you may be able to download through satellite and upload through dial up. This is the most expensive option out of all the options given, but this service is available anywhere throughout the world. Speeds are available at 500k onward.

Which type of high speed internet connections do you really choose? Well, the answer lies in what you need. One thing for sure, if you are tired of waiting for a standard dial up to connect and download, you are ready for a broadband connection. Plus, once you have experienced the power of a broadband connection, you will never ever go back to dial up again.

Justin Koh is a freelance writer whose articles have appear in most major ezines. You can find more of these at: http://www.highspeedinternetcenter.info

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.