Tony's ramblings on Open Source Software, Life and Photography

internet

Suddenlink is Watching You...

I just received this very interesting email from my cable Internet provider, Suddenlink:

Dear Customer:
In the last monthly cycle, your Internet account used 105.68 GB. That’s well above the typical monthly usage of up to 43.0 GB.

This situation could mean several things. For instance: a virus or "spyware" application might have infected your computer and started generating high levels of Internet traffic, or someone else might be using your Internet connection without your knowledge. To help guard against those issues, please consider the following steps.

  • If you have a wireless router, you may have unauthorized users logging onto your account. Ensure that your router is encrypted or password-protected by visiting the Web site of your router's manufacturer.
  • Viruses and spyware applications can, without your knowledge, generate excessive Internet traffic. Install and regularly update your computer’s security software to minimize the risk of your Internet connection being used by an outside party for unauthorized purposes. Suddenlink offers a free security package for qualifying customers. To learn more, visit: http://www.suddenlink.com/netsafety/mcafee.html.

  • Install software to limit or eliminate the volume of spam you receive.

I Have A Need For Speed

Ah, the speed of fiber Internet. 9.2 Megabit throughput... What a pain to get working properly, at least while trying not to inconvenience my customers. I'm a bit surprised that my outbound is so slow though... Gonna have to talk to them about that.


Categories:

Teh Interwebs Is Down?!?

I know there must be Interwebs in there somewhere!

6:48 AM Sunday morning, my T-1 went down, along with my backup DSL line and all the phones in the entire town. Things didn't come back up until 8:05 PM. Sprint, whom I get my T-1 through, says Verizon reported a "fiber burn" in the area which confirms what I heard about a fire taking out phones and some power.

Sometimes it doesn't help to have two different Internet lines from two different providers. My T-1 is from Sprint, and my DSL is from Verizon. What Sprint failed to mention was they buy their bandwidth from Verizon, so there's no need to keep the DSL which runs on the same fiber.

I need to switch my backup line to Suddenlink cable. They stayed up the entire time.


Categories: