Cable 'net service coming

P

psyktek

Frugal Old Fart!
Joined
Jul 12, 2003
Messages
2,249
Location
Somewhere in the desert.....
Gonna try Comcast's cable modem service. (19.90 for 6 months, no contract, how bad could it be?).

Any help in advance appreciated (problems, fixes, tear-your-hair-out issue)?

For example, do I need to keep a conventional ISP for email and such, or will I be able to connect the same way I do now, except via cable? :lookup:
 
It's really easy. You literally just plug your computer into the cable "modem" via Ethernet, change your network settings to be DCHP, and you're done. Always online, fast Internet access... you'll love it.

As for your conventional email address, etc., usually cable companies give you email addresses as part of the package.
 
well, for outgoing you'll need the info, at least...

generally incomming is still the same if you plan to use the same email account.


the everything else should be easy peasy.
 
I'll second that geldor.. comcast's network is not a safe place to just hang out, and if you're coming from dailup this is a big change... you must have a good antivirus installed, you must have a good firewall installed, otherwise kiss your harddrive goodbye.
 
That's the kind of stuff I was hoping for! There is an ethernet port on the backplane of my system, and I'm using the current (2005) version of Norton AV, with a year's subscription to updates.

Don't know if the built-in port has a firewall. How do I find out? Or can I.....? :lookup:

Oh, also have an updated version of Norton Security installed, which certainly seems vigilant!! :sign:
 
geldor1 said:
Two words - Hardware Firewall.

Look into getting a router with a built-in Firewall.
Click to expand...
Ah yes. If you're running Windows, do get a hardware or quality software firewall installed (ZoneAlarm is good for software).
 
I use DSL with McAffe Suite and haven't had any problems. Basically the same service as cable, always on. Very basic instalation with a 4 port hub and hard wired to 2 computers. Once you try broadband you'll never go back to dialup. :thumbs:
 
All routers give you a basic NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall, which do a decent job protecting your system.

Though they used to be (3 years ago or so) costly more advanced firewall routers can now be had for just a bit more than the NAT only ones.

Buy a router that has SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection). This will allow it to stop DDOS, Smurf, and similar attacks.

I'll bet our friendly admin Dave of DWF computers can hook you up with a SPI router as long as he isn't too busy getting referrals :sign:

What hasn't been mentioned yet is that PCs now need two subscription based software packages, especially with broadband; Antivirus and Spware Detector. I recommend you get yourself a copy of WebRoot Software's Spysweeper. It is by far the best spyware eliminator out there. I used to think Adaware was good enough until on a whim I downloaded the Trial version of Spysweeper, it caught 3 apps including a nasty "Phisher" that AdAware had missed. If you don't want to spend the $30 yearly for the best (several magazines have rated SpySweeper such) package, there is no reason not to get the free version of Ad Aware at http://www.lavasoft.de .

I have been on Comcast cable modem service for 4 years now. It has served me well.

Matt
 
txmatt said:
All routers give you a basic NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall, which do a decent job protecting your system.
Click to expand...
NAT != FireWall. By accident, it does offer *some* of the protections a firewall offers, but the real point of NAT is to allow multiple computers/devices to share one IP address. It's also the bane of Internet gaming.

http://kalsey.com/2003/10/nat_is_not_a_firewall/
 
Looking in to prices now. I should have a quote tomorrow (well, later today actually)

Dave :D
 
Cable modem arrived today and after only 2 support calls is up and running. I configured the connection using XP to put in that WPA(?) security setting and so far nothing nasty seems to be happening.

I do show 2 connections in Control Panel, a Local Area connection running at 100 Mbps and a 1394 connection which shows a nominal speed of 400 Mbps, but is not connected because TCP/IP is not congigured properly. I'm guessing this would be operational if there was another computer (or more) on the network, right?

Gotta go find a big file to download. (hee hee) :D
 
Cable modem arrived today and after only 2 support calls is up and running. I configured the connection using XP to put in that WPA(?) security setting and so far nothing nasty seems to be happening.

I do show 2 connections in Control Panel, a Local Area connection running at 100 Mbps and a 1394 connection which shows a nominal speed of 400 Mbps, but is not connected because TCP/IP is not congigured properly. I'm guessing this would be operational if there was another computer (or more) on the network, right?

Gotta go find a big file to download. (hee hee) :D
 
psyktek said:
Cable modem arrived today and after only 2 support calls is up and running. I configured the connection using XP to put in that WPA(?) security setting and so far nothing nasty seems to be happening.

I do show 2 connections in Control Panel, a Local Area connection running at 100 Mbps and a 1394 connection which shows a nominal speed of 400 Mbps, but is not connected because TCP/IP is not congigured properly. I'm guessing this would be operational if there was another computer (or more) on the network, right?

Gotta go find a big file to download. (hee hee) :D
Click to expand...
the 1394 connection is a Firewire port. You should not be using that
 
There's nothing hooked up to the FW port, so I have to admit I'm baffled as to that that connection is doing there. Doesn't seem to be causing any harm, though.

Just downloaded both Firefox and the latest Mozilla (4 MB and 11 MB respectively) in under a minute for one, under 3 minutes for the other!!!



WOO HOO!!! :thumbs: :love:
 
psyktek said:
There's nothing hooked up to the FW port, so I have to admit I'm baffled as to that that connection is doing there. Doesn't seem to be causing any harm, though.

Just downloaded both Firefox and the latest Mozilla (4 MB and 11 MB respectively) in under a minute for one, under 3 minutes for the other!!!



WOO HOO!!! :thumbs: :love:
Click to expand...
Good move. You';ll be much safer with that browser. No popups. And I second the Spysweeper thing. I am on the trial now and it seems far superior.
 
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