Broadband Setup

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 November 2009 12:58 Written by Jim Dorrington Monday, 10 October 2005 11:42

This service will get you set up from scratch or converted from dial-up. Or, if you are a business, then adding broadband to your existing communications links can be a vital link in your disaster recovery options. This service can be as simple as providing you with advice or taking full responsibility for getting you up and running.

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Wireless Networking

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 November 2009 13:06 Written by Jim Dorrington Monday, 10 October 2005 08:49

Freedom is what it's all about. The ability to use your laptop on the coffee table in the lounge, the conservatory or out in the garden or even surf the net from your bed! Adding wireless capability will also reduce the need for unsightly network cables. Most first timers to Wireless networking are introduced to it through a new laptop purchase. Most new laptops now come with wireless capability built-in. However, before you can use this at home a Wireless Access Port (WAP) needs to be added to your home network. CompuGuide's Wireless Networking service will install and configure your wireless access port to give you a secure service that will also be invisible to anyone seeking to get a free ride on your network.

Internet Phoning

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 November 2009 13:06 Written by Jim Dorrington Monday, 10 October 2005 08:45

The cost of phoning is tumbling. You can now use your internet connection to call anywhere in the world at substantially reduced rates - in some cases, free! Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has turned the world of telecommunications on it's head. The days of steep long distance phone charges are a thing of the past. The technology to carry your voice over your internet connection and connect it to any other phone in the world is here and it's only a matter of time before it becomes ubiquitous. Setting up a Skype account is free and simple. It works through your PC's microphone and speakers, although, it is now possible to get a normal phone that connects to your USB socket or modem. It's even possible to connect standard cordless phones that "think" they are connected to a standard BT line. GLOBAL RANK by No. Users Skype Luxembourg 54,00,000 Yahoo! Japan 45,17,000 VoiceGlo US 6,05,000 Free France 6,00,000 Vonage US 5,35,000 FastWeb Italy 5,28,000 Cox US 4,13,000 Time Warner US 3,72,000 Cablevision US 3,64,000 Neuf France 2,97,000   The table to the left shows the top ten  VOIP providers and the number of customers each has. Skype is currently the market leader with 54 million users and this is growing at a rate of 150,000 per day (Thanks to the India Financial Express Friday 7th October 2005) If you have a distant relative or friend and want to call them more frequently and cheaply or have friends with computers then you can call them for free for as long as you want. Call CompuGuide for advice and guidance on how to set your system up.

Infections

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 November 2009 13:05 Written by Jim Dorrington Monday, 10 October 2005 08:43

Clearly, forty million lines of code for Windows XP presents plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong - and this is what the hackers, virus and spy-ware writers leverage.

It is imperative that your machine has the following four areas properly covered:-

1. Automatic Windows Updates - Windows needs to be configured  to automatically receive updates. As soon as a vulnerability has been discovered Microsoft will release a  patch and your machine must detect this and load the patch if it is to stay protected.
2. Firewall - the Service pack 2 upgrade to Windows XP includes a good software firewall (if you don't have a hardware one). The Firewall protects you from the worst kind of intrusion - one where your system is so vulnerable that hackers can invade it at will. If you want to see how exposed you are, run Shields Up! from  the Gibson Research Corporation site. It will quickly tell you how and where your vulnerabilities are.
3. Antivirus Software - It is absolutely vital to install and maintain up to date anti-virus software, without it your machine will be rendered useless in double quick time.
4. Anti Spyware - Surfing the net is like walking through a wild field in woolly clothes - very soon you'll be covered in seeds as plants struggle to disperse themselves.  In the Internet world the most common form of seed is the "cookie" and it was originally designed to assist you when you re-visit a site but now many are being used to collect information about your surfing habits - information that is sold on to marketing companies. Anti-spyware works like antivirus software and needs to be kept up to date.

If you find your machine behaving erratically, use CompuGuide's  Virus & Spyware eradication service to clean out the infection and ensure that your defences are back in place and fully functional.