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[xyz_pilot]

Hi
I am interested in a uk 24/7 fixed price isp.

Which would you go for?

I am interested in "broad band", any experience with it in the uk?

Thanks

[spannersatcx]

I use ntl, internet is free provided you spend £15 per month on telephone calls. If you don't then the difference is made up to £15. No problems with connections, they do have an adsl thing but I don't know much about it as it is not available in all areas yet.
there has been a similar thread to this previously, might be worth a search.

[InFinRetirement]

I'm with Spanners. Exactly as he said. I got with NTL in December and I haven't had a moment to worry about. Connection is instantaneous. Can't have better than that can you?

[surfingatco]

I use ntl cable modem. £25 a month (rented) or £20 if you buy the modem up front (£150 so I don't see the point!) On all the time, fast, but obviously you have to be in a cabled area. Check out www.ntlworld.com (http://www.ntlworld.com)

[pied piper]

I use telewest blueyonder cable.

Always on, fast and tech support is very good, at least they try to help.

One thing to remember with always on connexion is the high number of probes from hackers,crakers and script kiddies, so use a firewall and an IDS product, preferably on a router interface.

[xyz_pilot]

pied piper

Do you have a www.. (http://www..) for telewst?

What is an "IDS product"?

Is zonealam still the best of the free firewalls?

Thanks

xyz_pilot


[This message has been edited by xyz_pilot (edited 10 April 2001).]

[OLD_EGG_BOUND]

AOL is not so bad but uses its own browser and email systems. If you have your own domain name and want to divert your email to your isp do not choose AOL. (Unless, of course, you know different)

[pied piper]

xyz

www.blueyonder.co.uk (http://www.blueyonder.co.uk) is my ISP website

IDS = Intrusion detection System.

your question about FWs....
It depends how important your data is really.

I do not know how good the free stuff is but, I suspect they ar Ok for protecting a home PC against opportunistic geeks who are having a random poke.

A major problem with cyber security is that complex and inteligent hacking tools are wrapped up in a conveinient and downloadable file for low level nerds(script kiddies) to cause havoc.(even if they do not realise it).

Effective security comes with a blend of Firewall technology, intrusion detection systems, reporting tools (logs) and the most important bit...the human monitor.

Back to firewalls.....
There are sites about that will explain to children how to get round most firewall implimentations

I can not remember the urls though ;)

[OzPax1]

pied piper,

"I can not remember the urls though"

B*****ks!! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/wink3.gif

Actually the following site 'Sheilds Up' (http://grc.com/default.htm) explains all this and can also show you how vunerable your PC is on the net without protection of a firewall.

Try 'Sheilds' up first if you don't already have a firewall. Your in for a shock! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/eek2.gif

Those of us who do have firewalls http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/peepwall.gif , try the 'Leaktest'. Again prepeare to be a little shocked! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/whinging.gif

OzPax1 http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/cool.gif

[pied piper]

Well I am 100% Stealthy, mind you that was a pretty common place probe from the sheilds up site.
;)

[OzPax1]

And somebody will find a way past the firewalls eventually. And then the wall has to increase in height to defeat that kind 'attack'. Neverending game really, which is why you should always update BOTH your firewall & virus protection software regulary or when updates become available.

And then how many of you read, understand and can chase up those event logs? :)

OzPax1 http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/cool.gif

[This message has been edited by OzPax1 (edited 11 April 2001).]

[pied piper]

Reference event logs and their analysis.

As said before, it depends how much you value your data.

There are syslog analysers available but they can cost more than a PC if you intend to use Event correlation (filter out the buls**t)

Physical analogy time again ;)...
Building higher walls is not the way to go.
If you have enougth detectors you can leave your front door open, you will catch the thief as soon as he enters ;)

For the average cyber surfer I spose the latest freeware protection is a reasonable basic step safeguard to take. ok mr OZ?

[Background Noise]

24/7

I'm with ntl - have been since Feb this year and its good. Always connects and at max speed. If you currently spend £15 per month on calls then its effectively free. You route your phone calls via their service using a line box - the computer however should avoid going through the box but that was fairly simple to sort out.

[ROAR]

Shields Up ! I just tried it...cool site.
But there was nothing to be shocked about...

[agentprovocateur]

Pied Piper

Coooooool smilies :)

[OzPax1]

agentprovocateur

I think you'll find that those cool smiles were mine! But thanks anyway mate...Cheers http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/cheers.gif

The site to find em is:-www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk (http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk)

And the best one's on thatsite have too be the FLYING PIGS http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/aircraft/pigflymed.gif

:) :)

OzPax1 http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/cool.gif

It sometimes takes a few editing posts to get the damn links to work as they should! :)

[This message has been edited by OzPax1 (edited 20 April 2001).]

[This message has been edited by OzPax1 (edited 20 April 2001).]

[This message has been edited by OzPax1 (edited 20 April 2001).]

[This message has been edited by OzPax1 (edited 20 April 2001).]

[This message has been edited by OzPax1 (edited 20 April 2001).]