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Broadband and its related terms are always being thrown around by computer experts and magazines, but what exactly do they all mean? We take a look at some of the more common questions asked by people new to broadband.
What is Broadband?
Broadband is the vague term for ‘high speed’ internet access. It’s permanently connected to your house and usually allows you to use your phone line at the same time.
How is Broadband different to Dial-up?
Broadband is much faster; typically at least ten times quicker than dialup. Dial-up is mostly used for basic browsing and checking emails. Broadband allows you to access radio and TV services like the BBC iPlayer, share your net connection with other computers in your house and play games online. It also speeds up basic browsing so you no longer have to wait for pages or images to ‘load’. Broadband in the UK comes in two main flavours; ADSL and Cable.
What‘s the difference between ADSL and Cable?
ADSL is a broadband service that runs through your phone line and can have either a dedicated line or share with your standard phone line. Cable runs through a separate service which is installed into your house by a private company and often also controls your television services. Cable connections can reach much higher speeds than the same price ADSL connections but in the UK, not all homes can receive Cable. Connections are usually limited to towns and cities. Rural areas can almost always access ADSL, however. The speed of ADSL depends on the distance from your local telephone exchange.
Should I buy a modem or a router?
If you’re upgrading from dial-up you can’t use your old modem to connect to broadband. Luckily, most companies supply their own hardware as part of your broadband package, so it’s worth checking with them first. Some provide modems, and some provide routers. A modem will connect one computer to the internet where as a router can connect many, so if you have more than one computer, a router is the best choice. You can even buy wireless routers which will transfer your broadband connection to every PC in your house without the need for cables. With a modem, you’ll still have to ‘connect’ every time you turn your PC on, although it’s much faster than connecting using dial up.
What are Firefox and Internet Explorer? Which should I use?
Firefox and Internet Explorer are both ‘browsers’, a program used to access pages and sites on the web. If you use Windows you probably already have Internet Explorer but there are other options available including Mozilla Firefox, Opera and Google Chrome. All of them look and work very similar and which one you use is often a matter of personal preference. New users may find sticking to Internet Explorer the easiest route, but make sure you run Windows Update, as the version you are using may be out of date.
What’s the difference between IM and E-mail?
There are a lot of technical differences, but the main one most users will notice is speed. If you send an email to your friend, they will have to check their email before receiving it, even though it will transfer to them instantly. It’s a bit like going to check your post. Instant Messaging programs will tell you when your friend is online and you allow you to have a conversation over the internet in real time, much like a text message. IM, which stands for Instant Messenger tends to be used for quick conversations while E-mail is used for more in depth communication, like letters. E-mail is the more formal method and is the one used by most companies on the net.
What is a Firewall? Do I need one?
A firewall protects your computer from malicious internet users. Firewalls come in software (A program installed on your computer) and hardware (A program installed in your router) flavours. Hardware firewalls are generally considered the best. Windows XP and Vista have Firewalls installed by default, but you can also buy more powerful software such as Norton Internet Security. Most Antivirus companies offer firewall support as part of their package. Firewalls will not protect you against viruses.
What are viruses and Trojans?
Viruses and Trojans – a type of virus that pretends to be a legitimate program – can infect your computer and delete your files and steal information. Simply having your own antivirus and firewall programs will protect you from the majority of viruses. Scanning any downloads will also reduce the chance of getting a virus. It’s also very important to update your operating system and browser regularly as they often include important security updates.
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