Page 14 The Shoreline September 2004
Compuwise
By Matthew Salemo
Protecting Your Computer
Part 2A— Understanding Technologies that connect you to the Internet
If your computer is not connected to the Internet, you
have one of most secure computers in the world (pro
vided your physical security is good). Nevertheless, to
understand how to protect your computer, you need to
have a general understanding of the equipment and
protocols that connects to the World Wide Web. Pro
tecting Your Computer, Parts A and B, will define this
technology.
What does broadband mean?
“Broadband” is the general term used to refer to high
speed network connections. In this context, Internet
connections via cable modem and Digital Subscriber
Line (DSL) are frequently referred to as broadband
Internet connections. “Bandwidth” is the term used to
describe the relative speed of a network connection. For
example, most current dial-up modems can support a
bandwidth of 56 kbps (thousand bits per second). There
is no set bandwidth threshold required for a connection
to be referred to as “broadband”, but it is typical for
connections in excess of one Megabyte per second
(Mbps).
What is cable modem access?
A cable modem allows a single computer (or network
of computers) to connect to the Internet via the cable TV
network. The cable modem usually has an Ethernet
LAN (Local Area Network) connection to the com
puter, and is capable of speeds in excess of five Mbps.
Typical speeds tend to be lower than the maximum,
however, since cable providers turn entire neighbor
hoods into LANs which share the same bandwidth.
Because of this “shared-medium” topology, cable mo
dem users may experience somewhat slower network
access during periods of peak demand, and may be more
susceptible to risks such as packet sniffing and unpro
tected windows shares than users with other types of
connectivity.
What is DSL access?
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Internet connectivity,
unlike cable modem-based service, provides the user
with dedicated bandwidth. However, the maximum
bandwidth available to DSL users is usually lower than
the maximum cable modem rate because of differences
in their respective network technologies. Also, the
“dedicated bandwidth” is only dedicated between your
home and the DSL provider’s central office — the
providers offer little or no guarantee of bandwidth all
the way across the Internet.
DSL access is not as susceptible to packet sniffing as
cable modem access, but many of the other security
risks we’ll cover apply to both DSL and cable modem
access.
How are broadband services different from tradi
tional dial-up services?
Traditional dial-up Internet services are sometimes
List your home with
me and SAVE!
as low as 4.9%
on a variable rate
commission.
referred to as “dial-on-demand” services. That is, your
computer only connects to the Internet when it has
something to send, such as email or a request to load a
web page. Once there is no more data to be sent, or after
a certain amount of idle time, the computer disconnects
the call. Also, in most cases, each call connects to a pool
of modems at the Internet Service Provider (ISP), and
since the modem IP addresses are dynamically as
signed, your computer is usually assigned a different IP
address on each call. As a result, it is more difficult (not
impossible, just difficult) for an attacker to take advan
tage of vulnerable network services to take control of
your computer.
Broadband services are referred to as “always-on”
services because there is no call setup when your com
puter has something to send. The computer is always on
the network, ready to send or receive data through its
network interface card (NIC). Since the connection is
always up, your computer’s IP address will change less
frequently (if at all), thus making it more of a fixed target
for attack.
What’s more, many broadband service providers use
well-known IP addresses for home users. So while an
attacker may not be able to single out your specific
computer as belonging to you, they may at least be able
to know that your service provider’s broadband custom
ers are within a certain address range, thereby making
your computer a more likely target than it might have
been otherwise.
How is broadband access different from the network
I use at work?
Corporate and govern
ment networks are typically
protected by many layers
of security, ranging from
network firewalls to en
cryption. In addition, they
usually have support staff
who maintains the security
and availability of these net
work connections.
Although your ISP is re
sponsible for maintaining
the services they provide to
you, you probably won’t
have dedicated staff on
hand to manage and oper
ate your home network.
You are ultimately respon
sible for your own comput
ers. As a result, it is up to
you to take reasonable pre
cautions to secure your
computers from accidental
or intentional misuse.
You also get
24 years of
Full Time
Experience
Contact TOM SAUNDERS at
REALTY ONE!
Tom Saunders Real Estate Co.
Call: 252-247-7444 email; saunders@clis.com
Ask about turning voiir home into a ‘Talking House”
S995'
- Thtrs,, Pn,
"Sm. ■
Tues. • French Dip
Wed. & Thurs. - Cuban Sandwiches
Fri. & Sot. - Crab Cakes & Shrimp Salad
liters-!
Swi. JOiOOCan - 3;3C^m
Closed Mondoy
EAT IK or TAKE OUT • 726-0111
Causeway Shopping Center
Atlantic Beach
Citrus Dream
Prep Time: 5 min/Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:
2 cups TAMPICO(R) Citrus Punch, chilled
1 cup frozen, fresh or canned pineapple chunks
2 cups vanilla ice cream
11/2 cups ice
Preparation:
PLACE all ingredients in the blender or food
processor; cover.
BLEND for 2 minutes at low speed; continue to
blend at medium speed until smooth.
SERVE in tall glasses.
Tips from the Tampico Kitchen:
To make a lighter smoothie, use orange sorbet
instead of vanilla ice cream.
Island Fun
Prep Time: 5 min/Serves: 4 to 5
Ingredients:
2 cups TAMPICO(R) Island Punch,
chilled
2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
1 cup frozen, fresh or canned
pineapple chunks
1 cup ice
Preparation:
PLACE all ingredients in the blender or food
processor; cover.
BLEND for 2 minutes at low speed; continue to
blend at medium speed until smooth.
POUR into tall glasses.
Tips from the Tampico Kitchen:
(Snug harbor
on ‘^jiay
” A Retirement Community
Like None Other"
Snug Harbor on Nelson Bay is unlike any other
retirement community you have ever experienced. Rich
in history, picturesque surroundings, and elegant dining
offers our residents the finest of luxury living.
Continuity of care is provided for you in
Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled
Nursing. A social agenda that will keep you young at
heart. Fine cuisine is prepared in one of the most elegant
dining rooms in the area. Our medical staff, located on
site, far surpasses your expectations of quality care.
Let Snug Harbor provide you with the quality of care
you deserve. Call today for a tour. We would love to
show you a retirement community like none other.
252-225-4411
272 Hwy 70 East
Sea Level, NC 28557
www.snugharborhome.com
N.
N.
S