Stop 2nd internet Co.

[amomof4]

When I first moved to the north, I wasn't able to use my husband's internet provider as they didn't have a local access. So, I had to go with my own provider. Now, his (aol), has a local access. Even if they didn't, I know have unlimited long distance phone plan. But there are a lot of advantages to my provider:

My provider
It's only $17 per month, AOL
They block spam/junk mail, Aol sends a lot spam
It keeps my stuff private from my husband
I never have problems logging on like I did when I had aol
I never get kicked off like I did with aol
All my sites/accounts are linked to it, and it would a pain to change it
They don't sell my address like I'm sure aol does

I hate spam, & when I used aol, I got a lot of it. It's so nice not to get any. Paying $17 is not a hardship for me, but is it a waste? Please give me your opinion as I am unsure what to do.

[BillsGirl]

My dad has aol and he told me they upped the charges again this month!!!

[Tree0164]

Waste is only if you feel that way. I wouldn't pay more than $10 a month for dialup these days. You are pretty much getting the same stuff-same internet you are surfing.

Netzero and Juno both have specials going on for $6.95 a month with a 12 month commitment otherwise it is normally $9.95

Netscape who is owned by aol has similar if not the exact as aol is only $9.95 a month.

[BillsGirl]

i don't think my sanity could handle dial up!! I might loose my mind trying!

[Tree0164]

Originally Posted by BillsGirl

i don't think my sanity could handle dial up!! I might loose my mind trying!

Me either! I love my cable internet. Lots of people on dialup still and still buying it. Dialup internet is my biggest seller.

In most areas now you can get specials of atleast 6 months or so of high-speed internet for 19.99 a month. Try it out you may like it.

[rob62521]

I can understand your dilemma. If your husband would be willing to go with your ISP, why not both of you open your own email accounts on free sites like yahoo or hotmail? You can have free email, have privacy, and not have the problems you encountered with AOL. I left AOL because of the constant spam as well as getting kicked off so much.

[faielyne]

When AOL first came out, years ago, they sent us a free trial disk. I loved it! But when the free trial was over and I tried to cancel it. . . Wow! Talk about an impossible feat! They didn't have a number to call, the only one they had was for problems and they were trained to give you the run around. One call sent me to the "cancellation department" where I got a recording that stated they were very busy right now and to call again. Then it hung up on me! I could only cancel by writing a few different times, and by this time they had charged us for about three months. We weren't even active on the account!

So I hear now that they are better about such things and that I should give them another try. But to me, they had their chance and they proved themselves to be a rather sneaky company. So I stay away.

[rob62521]

I'm not sure how much better AOL is now, but I had similar problems when I tried to quit. They wanted to give me a "free two month" bonus to see if I would give them another try. Free to whom, it wasn't to me! It was still being charged on my credit card. Then, when I called they tried it again and again and I kept refusing. It was quite a hassle to get off their billing cycle. I agree with you, they are a sneaky (or were).

[jmjj215]

We live at on-campus family housing at the university. So we get a T-1 right to our door - and it's free! Boy am I going to miss that when we graduate..

[gakline]

I "borrow" my neighbor's cable internet. They have wireless and I bought an inexpensive wireless card and it was great. They have an encripted system, so I pay them $20 a month for using it. I love it. Even so, many of my neighbors have unprotected wireless networks, and I could easily log into theirs for free, but I like the security.

What you might try to do, is find someone to come over with a laptop and see if there's an unsecure network. If so, get a wireless card.

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by gakline

I "borrow" my neighbor's cable internet. They have wireless and I bought an inexpensive wireless card and it was great. They have an encripted system, so I pay them $20 a month for using it. I love it. Even so, many of my neighbors have unprotected wireless networks, and I could easily log into theirs for free, but I like the security.

What you might try to do, is find someone to come over with a laptop and see if there's an unsecure network. If so, get a wireless card.

While you pay for yours that sounds to me like you are telling someone else to steal it. Your friends know that you use theirs. I wouldn't want someone using my cable modem without my consent. and I have to wonder if that wouldn't also open them up to gaining access to my computer? (the last is a question)

[gakline]

My neighbor's network is very sercure (the guy who set it up is head of IT at Lucent). While my neighbor could hack into my system, I doubt he would. I do periodically clean up all my internet files. They can also only access my computer when I am tied to the internet, so I could just disconnect my wireless if I want to. That's a risk I'm willing to take. You have to have some trust.

As for anyone with a unsecure network, that's their problem. If they did not take the time to set it up, or find out how, then that's their security issue. I would never access anyone's unsecure network to do personal (financial, confidential or secure) business. If I just want to surf and I know that I don't have any private info on my comp (or care about losing anything I do have) then I have no problem using someone else's service.

[gakline]

I forgot to mention, you can't just tap off of someone's cable modem. You would need to physically tap into the cable outside on the pole or at the house. My neighbor's have a wireless router connected to their cable modem. I have their password that allows me access to their router.

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by gakline

My neighbor's network is very sercure (the guy who set it up is head of IT at Lucent). While my neighbor could hack into my system, I doubt he would. I do periodically clean up all my internet files. They can also only access my computer when I am tied to the internet, so I could just disconnect my wireless if I want to. That's a risk I'm willing to take. You have to have some trust.

As for anyone with a unsecure network, that's their problem. If they did not take the time to set it up, or find out how, then that's their security issue. I would never access anyone's unsecure network to do personal (financial, confidential or secure) business. If I just want to surf and I know that I don't have any private info on my comp (or care about losing anything I do have) then I have no problem using someone else's service.

I am sorry but that is the same as saying because the store doesn't have great security it is okay to steal something. I don't have the knowledge of how to protect my computer from someone doing that and I guess I feel that I shouldn't necessarily have to just because there are people out there that feel that I am "asking for it" by not having the security. Unfortunately other people don't always have your morality to not access someone else's personal stuff. I hope that you are right that they also have to physically tap into my system. That is really scary, how can you say to have some trust and then in the next breath say, you don't have problem with someone basically stealing someone else's service. I love my cable internet but I am going to have to figure out to protect myself now. Any ideas from anyone?

[Bluezy]

I enjoy a decent dial-up with Juno while in the States for only USD $9.95 per month. Unless it is required for working conditions, I'm not spending extra for speed. That leaves more per month to be spent on better things.

[CheaplyClever]

gakline:[ Even so, many of my neighbors have unprotected wireless networks, and I could easily log into theirs for free, but I like the security. What you might try to do, is find someone to come over with a laptop and see if there's an unsecure network. If so, get a wireless card.[/quote]


Wow, this is scary. I have an Earthlink dial-up account ($15 p/mo) and I will not even consider anything else until I do some major research.

[gakline]

Originally Posted by cicy33

I am sorry but that is the same as saying because the store doesn't have great security it is okay to steal something. I don't have the knowledge of how to protect my computer from someone doing that and I guess I feel that I shouldn't necessarily have to just because there are people out there that feel that I am "asking for it" by not having the security. Unfortunately other people don't always have your morality to not access someone else's personal stuff. I hope that you are right that they also have to physically tap into my system. That is really scary, how can you say to have some trust and then in the next breath say, you don't have problem with someone basically stealing someone else's service. I love my cable internet but I am going to have to figure out to protect myself now. Any ideas from anyone?

Sorry, I think I've been misunderstood. If you purchase a wireless router (Can you use your laptop in any room of the house?) it should come with instructions on how to password protect it. ie. You need a log-in ID and PW to access the internet. If you don't have it, you can't get in. If you want to install a firewall (more security) there are instructions with the software. If you don't have the desire, time or just lazy, you can pay to have someone else set it up, ie. Best Buy.

I'm not saying you're "asking for it" but what about all the recent cases of viruses, worms, and then also identity theft. It's making that much easier for the thieves. (I don't feel that I should have to shred my personal papers or junk mail, but I feel that I NEED to because I don't who might go through my trash)

Most people do not know how to hack, break the code to get into your computer to steal information. Hacking is the software way to get into your system. Usually it is a software virus that gets installed on your computer through a phony e-mail. Hacking can also be done from anywhere, over the internet, a network. Tapping a line, you would physically see. I mean, you're going to notice if one day your neighbor has a coax cable running from your house to theirs right over the lawn.

So what's the difference between borrowing your neighbor's unsecure internet versus going to Borders and using their free wireless internet (wi-fi hotspot)? Nothing. In either case, I wouldn't be checking my bank account balance.

If you want to have additional security, go to Best Buy and tell them you want a firewall and see what they have to say.

[cicy33]

I am not sure what Borders is, but I am going to assume that it is one those stores I see on tv shows where you can use the internet for free or a flat fee? We aren't that techno here for that kind of stuff. Very small town. But I will say that the difference is one knows your doing it and the other does not. Hence, stealing. Now, if they have permission that is fine. But I don't want someone just because they are smarter than me stealing access to my service that I am paying for. I have considered going wireless so that I can hook up the two computers in my house and am glad that I can put a password in it. I am very careful on my own computer when it comes to virus's and what not. I use a program, I run scans frequently, I don't open emails I am not familiar with. I however did once get a virus which I had to have my whole system wiped because of it. Now, I am MUCH more vigilant. Doesn't mean I can't get one just means I am cautious and don't allow just anyone to have access. Including my personal stuff. I don't shred, I keep. Everything goes into a box and is stored away. For a period of at least 5 years. I regularly check my bank account for anything that isn't right, and have actually found things occasionally. No matter how you slice it if you take something that belongs to someone else without their permission it is stealing. and scary for people like me! And nowadays I bet there are a lot of hackers. kids are so smart when it comes to computers.

[gakline]

Ok, I see the difference. I live in a townhome, so I have neighbors that are right on top of me. Because of our close proximity, I "see" about 6-7 different wireless connections in the area. Some are from neighbors, some are from neighboring businesses. The reason that I see other people's is because they have set their wireless zone very broad (maybe 1000' or .5 mile). If you have a house or your neighbors are farther away, you can set your zone to be just within the house (say a 30 feet radius). Now is someone wanted to tap into your wireless connection and it was not secure. They would have to be literally sitting in your driveway with their laptop on. If you have you're network radius of 1 mile, they could be in the next parking lot using your wireless. With any router (hardwired or wireless) you can see who is accessing your internet.

There really are not that many hackers anymore. Yes there are some hightech dedicated people. Software has become more sophisticated and harder to break. There are also good hackers out there that find holes in software and alert the manufacturer to the problem.

Also my definition of stealing is different. I look at stealing in a negative light, if it does some harm, then it's stealing. If I "steal" someone's pencil when forget to give it back, it's not harming anyone and therefore not stealing. Same with the Evian water challenge, all you had to do was put in a UPC from a bottle of water. UPCs don't change, and by doing a little work, I have 4 free bottles of water and I didn't buy any. The internet is free. It just happens to be that most people need to pay someone to be able to access it.

[cicy33]

I guess my largest concern would be virus's or someone being able to access my personal files. not that there is anything interesting to anyone else on there! I feel better though I live in a house with my nearest neighbor at least 100 feet or more away. I didn't know you could set your wireless zone. I will have to check that. See, learning more every day! I do know that my cable company had told me a while back that if I got a router I would still have to pay extra if I had the same isp address for both computers. anyway out of the that? I mean I already pay enough in my opinoin for the service. and both computers are in my house.