Latest Articles and News

How Many Internet Access Providers Are Now Available?

It can be staggering to think of how many internet companies are now in the game. Many of us remember when there were only a handful of companies with whom to sign up for internet service and they all sold primarily the same product. Now, not only do we have more choices of companies, but we have a variety of ways in which to get online. From cable, to DSL, to wireless and even satellite internet, there is certainly no shortage of internet companies.

With so many choices, the question people often have is how to best go about searching for internet access providers in their area. There isn't one company dominating the industry at the moment, and for many people their best bet for price is to bundle their services. For example, a cable company can often offer a much more affordable price for a package that includes internet, cable TV, and phone service than they'd be able to offer or each one sold individually.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   internet service  

Compare Anti Virus Software and Come Up With the Right Option for You

There are many anti virus software programs out there – how do you know which one is best for you? The first step is to assess if there are any premium free options available to you. For example, some internet service providers offer premium virus services along with your regular monthly payment. Some schools offer virus software for free as long as you pay your tuition. Determine if there are any services you can access for free.

If you determine that they aren't, then it's time to compare anti virus software from free companies versus paid. There are distinct advantages to either, and while it's often worth it to pay for service, in some cases you may not need the additional features that come from a paid software program versus a free one. Be honest about what you really need, look into all the options, and make the most informed decision.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   anti virus software  

What's the Best Way to Search for Service? Exploring Internet Providers by Zip Code

There are currently plenty of ways to search for your internet options; in fact, there are so many ways that it can be overwhelming. In the past, there were frequently minimal options, and those options tended to be significantly different. For example, you may have a choice of 2 providers and one was dial-up and another was broadband – but for twice the price. It was relatively easy for people to weigh the pros and cons of each choice and make a decision.

Now there are more options than ever before, and searching for internet providers by zip code may yield numerous results. How does a consumer decide which is the ideal company with whom to work? The answer is to take the advice of the expert. Review sites that give detailed information on what each of the companies can provide and then make your own final decision based on your specific needs.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   internet service  

Myths and Realities About Your Wireless Home Network

Most of the personal devices we use today either have internet capability, or require us to be connected to the internet on a regular basis, and while we may think that our information and other data is secure when we use our devices, what's more likely is that we are far more vulnerable than we may think. But how can we protect ourselves? The answer is to ensure that our home network is secure.  A home network can ensure the effective management of all of the internet-connected devices in the home, whether it is a smart TV, smart phone or other device.

A Common Misconception About Connected Devices

While it may seem like a natural thing to ensure that the doors on our homes are locked, very few of us ensure the same of our devices. The truth is that many of the devices used today do not include any security features. This means that they can be left wide open to attack once a connection to the home network has been made.

And while a user can certainly look for ways to secure their individual devices, when considering in-home usage, the best solution is to ensure that the wireless home network is as protected as possible from any security breaches. But if that network is not protected, none of the devices that are connected to it will be protected, either.

Is A Protected Network 100% Secure?

Unfortunately, nothing can offer complete security. When considering how to protect your home network, it's important to understand that another kind of vulnerability is inherent, which is that any hacker who manages to obtain the login details of your home network may also be able to gain control of any internet-connected devices that connect to it.

Not only that, but your network can also be used by hackers to send spam, attack web sites and conduct any number of bandwidth-eating exploits. While this information isn't stated for the purpose of inciting fear about potential attacks, it's important that all facets of home networking, including those less-desirable aspects be considered in addition to all of the benefits that a home network can offer.

Don't Be Held Liable For the Activities of Criminals

Having and using a network that is unsecured can also leave you open to litigation should cybercriminal activity be discovered at your IP address. While this may seem like a remote possibility, consider that, when a hacker uses your network, your IP address is also used.

This can mean that any data that you or a hacker requests from the internet will be routed to your IP address, which can result in hefty charges being laid if law enforcement tracks illegal activity back to your IP address.

Tips for Home Network Security

As stated before, no network is 100% secure. But in taking steps which offer protection at various stages, you can increase the level of your home network's security overall. One way to do this is to look at your router's password.

This password is left unchanged by many more network users than you may think, and it can be the main route via which hackers get into your system. And so the first thing to do is change the router's password to something that is very difficult for a hacker to guess.

Changing your router's ID or name to one unique to you and difficult to guess is another reliable way to increase the security of your home network.

It's also a good idea to provide a means by which anyone who visits your home can enter your network if they need to get online. This can be done by creating a guest password

Finally, make sure you navigate the articles available at www.internet-serviceproviders.net in order to address child safety and anti-virus concerns online.  Many vulnerabilities can be avoided by simply following several common sense tips.

Using STC to Increase Security

When thinking about how to improve the security of your home network, one acronym can be quite useful: STC. This stands for stop, think, connect. Before doing anything online via your network, stop for a moment. And then, think about the sites you are visiting. Are they enabled for security? Have you scanned your computer recently, updated your antivirus software and cleaned any unwanted files? If not, then it may be time to do so. Once you can ensure that all of the above objectives have been met, you will be in a much safer position to connect to the internet.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 1 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   internet service  

The Amazing Advantages of Broadband Internet Access

These days so many of us take our internet for granted that we're not always tuned into just how much it's changed our lives. For example, consider how many people now work from home at least part of the week. What does this mean for society? It means that people can spend more time with their families, save money on their commute, and have more flexibility with both professional and personal relationships.

Then think about students. In the past, before most people had broadband access in their homes, researching a given topic required a trip to the library. Now, thanks to the advent of inexpensive internet in virtually all corners of the U.S., this information can be found by clicking a few buttons from the comfort of home. This means that homework takes less time – which in turn means that kids are less likely to be overwhelmed and more likely to get the most out of their experience.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   internet service  

Why Internet Filters May Not Be Enough Protection for Your Children

Most Internet providers offer the ability to filter websites and stop offensive material from popping up on your computer screen. This is a great first line of defense. But there’s much more you can do to protect your kids from inappropriate content. Internet security experts recommend that parents purchase web filtering software to more effectively control their children’s browsing activities.

A lot of parents are unaware of the dangers that lurk online – this is unfortunate, as the Internet is full of material not suitable for kids, and predators look for the vulnerable to exploit. Although protecting your little ones outside of the home may take the priority, it’s just as important to monitor your kids when they browse the Internet – these days, perhaps more so. You don’t have to do much to take precautions – filtering software is a good first step, and it’s very easy to install and configure. If you make the decision to buy a website filter, no question, you are doing it for the right reasons.

As previously stated, you need more than this basic level of protection to properly filter website content before it shows up on your computer. Also, the “ready-made” software from your internet service provider doesn’t necessarily make it possible to monitor your kids’ online activities while they surf – or afterwards for that matter. Monitoring is often more important than filtering simply because some questionable material may still make it through the filtering mechanism – no piece of software is perfect, but as a parent, checking up on your children is always effective because you’ll know when something is wrong the minute you see it. If you stay on top of things, you can stop problems before they even start and keep your kids away from dangerous content and people. There isn’t a software program on the planet that will look out for your loved ones like you do – parental monitoring is one of the best ways to keep your kids safe.

Internet filters are usually inexpensive and once you make the purchase, you simply download the file and install the program – the whole process is very easy and fast. This type of software can be customized to the level of protection you want for your kids, depending on their age and what they plan to do online. There are many different features available with these programs – some that do more than simply filter websites. For instance, you can monitor the sites your kids have been visiting so you can make sure they haven’t seen anything objectionable. When you get home from work or have spare time on the weekend, all you have to do is open the software and look up the web history of each child. It’s a simple way to stay on top of what your kids have been up to when you’re not around - rest easy knowing that they aren’t gaining access to information they shouldn’t see or read. At The Broadband Safety Guide there are many useful articles designed to help parents understand online safety.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   parental controls  

Comparing the Internet Service Providers in My Area and Choosing the Best One

It wasn't that long ago that finding the best internet provider was difficult because there weren't enough options and consumers were limited to just a single choice. Now many people have the opposite problem: There are too many to choose from! The first step you should take is to identify specifically what's most important to you. For example, if you are simply looking for the lowest price, then note that. If you're looking for the fastest speed, then note that.

Once you know what you're looking for, it will be easier to identify the right option. For example, when I was looking at the www.internet-serviceproviders.net I knew that I wanted a fast speed but also a reasonable price. This led me to look at the mid-level plans and I was able to select one that was both affordable and gave me reasonably fast speeds. It was a simple process because I knew exactly what my goal was.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 1 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   internet service  

Your Child and Online Chat Rooms

Despite parental controls available, it’s not possible for Internet providers to control and monitor public chats that occur on websites. So it’s extremely important to do the monitoring yourself if you allow your children to chat online. Many experts recommend that you don’t even let your kids onto these sites, due to the inherent danger involved. There’s no reason why your kids need to be on a public chat room talking to strangers when they can chat with friends and family using Skype, MSN or AOL Instant Messengers (these programs have parental controls built into the program). Essentially, any monitoring you conduct will be to make sure your kids aren’t visiting these chat sites and talking to people they don’t know. If you install a monitoring program on your computer, you can watch where your kids go online from a remote location, as long as you have access to the Internet. This technology has made it possible to protect your kids from online threats even when you’re not at home.

Public chat rooms are dangerous places for young children, and attract a lot of bad apples, for obvious reasons. The Internet has made it extremely easy for criminals to come into direct contact with young children. Chatting is the easiest way to lure kids into very bad situations. Internet service companies don’t offer enough protection against this type of problem, which is why you have to take things into your own hands. Sit down and talk with your kids about some of the dangers that are present online. Tell them not to use public chat rooms or to talk to people on the Internet they don’t know. Explain the dangers of giving out personal information, such as your phone number and address, online. Kids will listen if you take the time to speak with them about Internet issues. You still have to do some monitoring, but sitting down and talking is always a good first step.

If your children really want to use a public chat room to talk with kids their own age, there are some that are made just for youth – these chat rooms are monitored by adults for safety reasons. If you let your kids use this type of service, take a lot of precautions and make sure you keep watch. But don’t just keep an eye on your children’s computer activities – it’s also a good idea to pay attention to their behaviour, mood changes, and anything else that may be happening in their lives. If you notice something strange or different, investigate the matter further to make sure there isn’t something going on in your child’s life that could be dangerous. Monitoring software or parental controls can’t look in the faces of your kids and know when something is amiss – this is where things need to move out of the realm of technology and into the hands of loving and protective parents. Do everything you can to ensure your kids remain safe when they go online.  We provide tips for internet safety for kids to help parents be proactive in protecting their children.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   kids safety  

Is Your Computer Protected? The Simple Solution Available in Free Anti Virus Software

Your computer could be at risk right now and you may not even know it. Some viruses will strike right away, while others will lay dormant for weeks or even months. One of the most frequently notice signs that you've been infected is if your computer begins running considerably slower. Remember that most computers will gradually run slower as more programs are downloaded and their technology becomes outdated, but if the change is drastic and sudden, then it could be a sign that you've been infiltrated.

The good news is that there is a simple solution. Free anti virus software can help you protect your computer and even clean it up if there's been a problem.  There are many reputable options that are reviewed on The Internet Safety Guide.

You may have free software via your internet service provider – be sure to check with them if you're not sure – or you could take advantage of any number of free services out there. There are disadvantages to free versus paid virus software, including the fact that you're unlikely to have significant support should you need assistance.

Learn more about internet safety and anti-virus concerns at http://www.internet-serviceproviders.net/.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   anti virus software  

How to Set Email Filtering Through Your Internet Service Providers

The major free e-mail providers online have built-in filtering software for the purpose of keeping questionable and annoying emails from flooding your inbox, and those of your children, but you have to change the settings before anything goes into effect. Most e-mail doesn’t have spam control settings up and running when you first sign up, so it’s necessary to take the initiative and configure them to your liking. The amount of security you choose all depends on the age of your children, the type of communication they intend to use the e-mail for, and your personal needs as a family. You will have to know your kid’s e-mail passwords and addresses to change the settings, but it’s recommended that you help them sign up for the account anyways, so this shouldn’t be a problem. You may want to do some human monitoring every once in a while as well, to keep track of the people your kids are communicating with online – they should only be e-mailing their friends, and family. High speed Internet providers can’t do this for you.

Spam settings are easy to set up on all the major e-mail programs. Simply log into each account and look for the section that allows you to change the security level. It differs slightly with every provider, but you should be able to find the right place. Under security settings there will be a section for controlling and filtering spam – this is where you want to go to change your preferences. In most cases you’re asked to set the filtering mechanism to a certain level – higher levels provide more protection against spam and allow you to track every e-mail that comes in. The lowest setting provides no security and lets all communications flow through to your inbox unencumbered. High speed Internet providers can’t control spam for these types of e-mail addresses, so you have to set them yourself. You can also purchase extra software that scans e-mails as they come in. This is a good idea if you want to avoid viruses as well as inappropriate content.

At The Broadband Safety Guide, we take children's safety serious by helping parents identify various safeguards that can be implemented for online monitoring and blocking of inappropriate content.  Our free resources and tutorials can help equip any concerned parent immediately.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   internet service  

Peer-to-Peer Networks and Internet Safety

High speed Internet providers may be able to control some of the information and websites that reach your computer from the Internet, but they can’t control the file sharing that goes on in peer-to-peer networks. If you don’t already know what a peer-to-peer (P2P) network is, you’d better find out soon because your kids, or their friends, probably use them. P2P networks allow users to share files over the Internet through a central server or website. They are organized online communities where members search for and download files of interest to them, and upload files for others to enjoy. Although the concept is an interesting one, if your kids are members of such a site, there are dangers you have to be aware of. Because peer-to-peer networks are involved with the sharing of files, you never know what your kids may gain access to. Pedophiles have been known to upload pornographic material, which can then be downloaded by anyone who is part of the network – this puts your children at risk.

Also, P2P networks require that you download and install special software to navigate the files available, which is bad news because the software may have spyware on it that tracks your child’s Internet activities, and possibly collects personal information. The reason kids love this type of online networking is pretty simple – you can download music, movies, E-books – anything you want all for free. Because people are uploading files they have at home, you can access media normally not available in stores or elsewhere. Unfortunately, the files your kids download may also contain viruses that may infect your computer and cause major problems. If your kids are using peer-to-peer networks unbeknownst to you, all the protection you have put in place for filtering websites may be doing you no good, even with the many safeguards available. A good virus and spyware checker can take care of the potential for infection, but it gets harder when you want to control the files your kids are downloading.

Internet providers in my area can only do so much when it comes to security and filtering. If your kids are using P2P networks, it’s suggested that you implement security measures that can scan files and monitor computer activity remotely. This way, you can check up on the content and size of files that have been downloaded to ensure nothing inappropriate has made its way onto your kid’s computer. Unfortunately, the people who distribute pornography purposely mislabel the files, to trick children into downloading them. This may also make it past certain filters you have installed, so conducting your own monitoring makes a lot of sense. Not allowing your kids to use these P2P networks is the ideal situation, however, older kids may not appreciate it.

Copyright infringement is another concern with these sites.  In that case, you may actually hear from your Internet provider that someone in your family is breaking copyright laws.  So although your teen may hate you for banning P2P networks, you’re probably saving your family a whole lot of trouble by doing so.

Learn more about how to keep your kids out of trouble online at http://www.internet-serviceproviders.net.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   kids safety  parental controls  

Internet Safety at the Public Library

You may have found ways to filter websites and monitor your kids’ web activity when they’re at home on your computer, but what happens when your children leave the house and use the Internet in different locations? How do you monitor what they’re doing online on public computers at a library, at school, or a friend’s house? Internet service providers can’t keep track of what your children do in other locations, so this is a tricky question, but there are ways to ensure their safety even when they are out in the world.

What About the Library?

First, many libraries do have some filtering software installed on their computers – this includes public and school libraries. The reason libraries use this software? They know a lot of children use the computers to go online, so it’s in their best interest to make sure every kid who goes in the library is there for educational purposes, and won’t accidentally come across something they shouldn’t see.

Libraries and school computer rooms are usually supervised by an adult as well, to make sure the kids stay on task and don’t start downloading inappropriate material. The internet service subscriptions used by schools and other larger institutions may provide some filtering services, but extra software is usually installed to handle filtering more adequately. These filters are designed to keep objectionable material from being downloaded and viewed on the computers – for instance, if your child accidentally or purposefully does an online search for a specific term and then comes across questionable content, when they click on the link, the filtering software won’t let the site load, preventing your child from viewing its contents. This is an effective way to stop younger children from seeing something troublesome. There is a lot of dangerous material online these days, so it pays to be extra cautious and it is a good idea to take precautions no matter where your kids happen to be.

Libraries also prevent kids from downloading and installing programs - they do this to protect the network from viruses. But this also ensures that kids don’t download things that may contain something inappropriate or disturbing.  Remember, though - you as the parent need to discuss this with the library management to determine what safety measure they have in effect.

What About When Your Kids Visit Their Friends?

What can you do in this situation to monitor Internet usage?  Although you can’t know what the Internet service providers of your kids’ friends have in terms of parental controls, and you don’t know what filtering software has been installed on their system, you can do other things. For instance, talk to the parents and ask about the filtering programs they have installed. If they have none at all, suggest they purchase one, for the sake of everyone’s children. Some parents don’t yet understand the risks involved with Internet surfing. Tell them about the dangers so they become more informed on the topic. Also, talk to your kids about Internet safety and what they should do at a friend’s house.

Learn more about broadband safety at www.internet-serviceproviders.net.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   kids safety  

Internet Service Providers Offer Parental Controls – But Don’t Forget Your Browser

PC users surfing the internet with a browser like Firefox may not realize that plugins are available with parental controls built right in.  But take note - you have to configure the settings for optimal performance. Although many internet service providers offer security suites that perform some blocking and filtering tasks, tweaking the browser’s parental controls feature is the easiest way to step up security and ensure your little ones don’t gain access to the wrong websites while online.

When you add the right plugin, monitoring your children’s internet use becomes an easy task. With this web browser, you can control the websites your kids visit, keep track of their browsing habits, screen and limit downloads and program use, and manage the contacts and e-mail addresses they are permitted to use.

An added bonus for many of these security features is the ability to block websites that use malicious tactics like phishing or transferal of viruses.

Categories that parents can configure include topics like Adult, Alcohol, Extremist Groups, Nudity, Drugs, War and Violence, Weapons, and Peer-to-Peer File Sharing, to name a few.

How to Find Plugins Available Through Firefox:

1. Open your Firefox browser and click on Tools.  Then select Add-ons.
2. Click on Get Add-ons, and then search for "Parental Control" in the Add-ons Manager.
3. Click on Show All Search Results.  Review the various add-ons available.  Blocksi is one web filter and parental control application that supports 79 internet categories, and has access to a database with over 76 million websites and over 20 billion web pages rated for safety.  FoxFilter is another option that is easy to administer for a small fee. 
4. When you have selected the plugin you wish to install, click on download.  You will need to accept any terms and conditions put forth before you install.
5. If Firefox is blocking the download, you'll need to click on "Allow".
6. You will need to restart Firefox under most circumstances in order to activate the plugin.
7. Next click on Extensions at the Add-On Manager.  You should see the Plug-in listed.  Click on Options if available, and configure the tool.  For instance, with Blocksi there is a quick filter for parents or children if your child will access the computer.  There is also Advanced Filtering Options where you can select specific categories to block.  Finally, you can set up individual user accounts and enable passwords.  Select the options and make modifications that suit your family's needs.
8. Click on OK once you are finished.

Besides at the browser level, make sure you set up the parental control locks in Windows 8. It's easy to beef up security and add another layer of protection in addition to that which is supplied by high speed internet providers.

To ensure your browser’s parental controls are working properly, it’s important to run the latest version of Firefox at all times. You can download updated versions by going to the Mozilla.org website and clicking the download link on the Firefox page. You can also set your computer up to check for updates regularly.

Parental controls do more than just protect your children – they also offer security against downloading files that contain viruses. While high speed internet providers give you protection against dangerous files, the settings on your browser prevent suspicious downloads from infecting your computer.

The software ISPs in your neighborhood offer to filter websites and content is invaluable, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add more security whenever you can. There is more information about internet providers at http://www.internet-serviceproviders.net/.

Fortunately, Mozilla is known for excellent customer service, so if you ever need assistance with setting up parental controls, don’t hesitate to contact them with your concern or problem.

With some browsers parental controls are not an option, so it may be time to update your computer if you’re concerned about filtering the websites and files your children view while on the internet. Keeping everything up to date is generally a good idea because your system will be less prone to security breaches.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   kids safety  parental controls  

The Real Value of AT&T U-verse Promotions

Some people may believe, as the saying goes, that there is no such thing as a free lunch. But from time to time, the internet's top companies offer deals that are just too valuable to pass up, especially these days when so many are striving to stick to their budgets. One great example is a deal being offered by AT&T U-verse to new subscribers.

Bundling Services

Many companies, and not just those involved with internet are jumping on the bundling bandwagon; get one or more services through them, and you can save on your monthly bill. And AT&T U-verse is no different; new customers who sign up for U-verse phone or television service in addition to internet service can choose from any one of the following goodies, absolutely free: an Xbox 360, Kindle Fire HD, SONOS PLAY:3 or Nexus 7 tablet.

Exclusive Online Offers

Another way that internet companies help customers save more money is by offering special online promotions. Those who choose to go online to compare internet service package costs can receive lots of value in return. One great example is U-verse's offer of $150 in promotion cards and Total Home DVR with an order of U-family TV, Internet Elite and Voice 250.

Watching the Fine Print

Getting a great deal with online promotions can be exciting. But customers also need to be aware of time limitations and what's required to be eligible. Some promotions are only offered to new subscribers for a certain period of time before regular pricing comes into effect. U-verse's offer of a free Xbox, Kindle, SONOS or Nexus does come with a qualifier. In order to be eligible for the offer, customers must keep their services for at least 30 days.

Before that, customers who sign up may have to wait up to 8 months once they sign up before receiving what's called a reward notification. Following submission to redeem the bonus, another wait of a few months will be necessary before the free gift arrives.

Do Customers Think It's Worth It?

At the end of the day, a customer who is satisfied with their internet service is more likely to be willing to go through the process of getting discounts and promotions from their internet service provider. As well, in the case of the U-verse offer, customers receive the added bonus of improved efficiency, quality of entertainment and even their health with their most-used devices.

Deciding Which Company Is Right for You

Of course, if you're looking for another internet provider, your choice should depend on much more than simply what they can offer you in terms of free bonuses. The first thing to consider is which companies are available in your area. www.internet-serviceproviders.net can help.

Next, which company best meets your needs in terms of internet, phone and television usage will need to be determined. The speed of internet service and the selection of channels being offered will be something to consider in addition to the cost of the service. And finally, any company you choose should have a great reputation for customer service and reliability.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 1 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   internet service  

Online Gaming – Kids Safety Concerns

Does your child play online games? If so, it’s important that you monitor their accounts and keep your eyes peeled for suspicious activity. While online games are growing in popularity, and can be a lot of fun, it’s important that you know exactly which games your kids participate in to protect their safety. Online games, such as World of Warcraft, allow users from all around the world to interact and play the game together, which is why monitoring is so important.

Internet service providers don’t monitor online games for you, although they have certain parental control features that keep inappropriate material from getting through. If you want to keep track of the games your kids are playing, you’re going to have to do it yourself.

Very young children should not be allowed to play online multiplayer games at all – the dangers are too high, and it would be extremely difficult to monitor them as they play. With teenagers, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure they don’t get into trouble or talk to the wrong people:

1. Keep communication open. Talk about the importance of not giving out personal information, and staying anonymous in online games. Have your teenager tell you what games they’re playing, and their account information, so you can check up on their activity in the game.
2. Know your child’s password so you can get into their account without their help – monitor what they have been doing.
3. Limit the amount of time your teenager can spend playing the game, so that they don’t become obsessed or addicted. Set down some rules, and request that homework be completed before any online gaming takes place.
4. Set up any parental controls the game may have created for safety purposes.

Broadband has made it possible for people to play online games – with dial-up services there wasn’t enough bandwidth for such a phenomenon. The popularity of online, interactive gaming has made it necessary to monitor your kids’ activity online, and ensure they don’t spend too much time staring at their computer screen.

For World of Warcraft in particular, there are settings made specifically for parental controls. If you do allow a younger child to play the game, this will come in handy. Of course, even with parental control settings, you have to watch younger kids play online games at all times.

Here are the settings for World of Warcraft’s parental controls, which allow you to set up a play schedule for your kids:

1. Visit the World of Warcraft community site and search for the parental control tab.
2. Log in using your kid’s password and player information.
3. Create a password to be used for the purposes of parental control. Keep this safely stowed away.
4. Use the calendar to set access times for your child. You can even read the parental control FAQ if you need more help with settings.

Another way to monitor online gaming usage is to play along with your child. This is a fun solution to the problem, and very effective. If you play with your child, you’ll know exactly what they’re up to in the game. Of course, this probably won’t work with older children, but the younger ones may actually get a kick out of it. High speed Internet providers have made it possible to have fun playing online games – so get out there and play!

Child safety and virus free computers are the focus at http://www.internet-serviceproviders.net.  We can also help you find reputable broadband options in your city and help you select the best one to fit your particular needs.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   kids safety  parental controls  

Internet Service Parental Control Locks in Windows 8

One of the benefits of the new Windows 8 operating system from Microsoft is the ability to set up advanced parental controls for Internet browsing. ISP’s offer some parental control features, but you have to step it up with other security measures if you want to protect your kids fully.

The parental controls available on this operating system allow parents to screen and regulate all online content kids can access on the Internet. To enable the parental controls feature in Windows 8, you have to turn it on for each user account. This will keep harmful websites away from the eyes of your little ones.

Here’s how to do it step-by-step:

1. Turn on your computer. When Windows has launched, open the “Start Screen” and open the “Control Panel.” You can open the control panel by starting to type the name anywhere in the start screen.
2. Double-click on “User Accounts” and choose the option to set up “Family Safety.”
3. Choose the user account for which you want to change the settings. If you have not set up a user account for your child, this is the most important step, so please do so. You will not need an email account, so select the regular “local” login type. When prompted, select “Child” account so that you can turn on the parental controls.
4. Double click on the account you want to modify.
5. Here you can select “family safety” and “activity reporting” - These two features have additional settings that you can modify to make the computer and internet more secure. You can control the websites your children have access to, set time limits for computer use, block unwanted websites or even specify “only” the specific sites they can access, like Wikipedia or Nick Jr.
6. Turn the “Activity Reporting” feature on - This lets you view information about computer usage for each windows 8 account. You can read through individual activity reports by selecting “View Activity Report.”

Depending on the age of your child and the amount of restrictions you put on their home Internet use, the level of browsing protection you implement may vary. It’s important to choose the settings that work best for your family.

Internet service providers have some control over content, but to achieve the best level of protection, it’s necessary to set up additional parental controls on your own computer. Be warned - if your kids are tech savvy, they may try to navigate around the parental controls you’ve set up by starting a new account. If you’ve established password protection for new users, however, this won’t become a problem.

Another tip – select the “Block File Downloads” box to disallow file downloading on specific user accounts. This way, you can prevent your kids from downloading certain types of material off the Internet. If they need to download something for a specific purpose, they will have to do it under direct parental supervision.

Remember that parental locks must be set for each user account on Windows 8 – user accounts without these settings in place allow free and easy access to all Internet content. Although you may have an automatic web filter installed, and access to parental controls through high speed Internet providers, it’s always prudent to add more protection.  For more information on parental controls and internet safety visit http://www.internet-serviceproviders.net/ .

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   parental controls  internet service  

Remote Monitoring – a Step up From Parental Controls and Tracking History

Remote monitoring is a unique concept – it’s much more effective than the basic software offered by high speed Internet providers, and allows parents to effectively keep track of all their kids’ activities online without even being in the same room – or house. In the modern world, it’s not always possible to be around your kids 24 hours a day – it’s just not practical. Yes, you can limit computer time and set up the family computer in a busy part of the house, but it’s not realistic to be on top of things at all times. At the same time, you don’t want something important to slip through your fingers – you want your kids to be safe when they go online. That’s where remote monitoring saves the day. This incredible software lets you monitor your children’s online browsing habits from a remote location. You can be at work or in another part of the house, and still know what your kids are doing when you’re not physically in the room with them.

It’s easy to see why remote monitoring is a step up from other software packages. Your ISP can’t handle remote monitoring, or provide the same level of protection that can only come from the watchful eyes of a parent. Once you purchase the software and install it on your computer, you’ll be able to use any Internet connection to access the program and review a list of websites that your child has visited on your home computer. The software constantly keeps track of computer activity – it’s easy to check in every once in a while just to make sure your kids are not up to any trouble. Most parents use this type of program from work, so they can let their older children go online even though no one is home to supervise. For younger children, limiting Internet use to times when you’re at home is still the preferred method of monitoring, but when it comes to teenagers, hovering over their shoulders and expecting them to only use the computer at certain times becomes less practical.

Luckily, remote monitoring software allows you to look out for your teens’ safety without severely intruding on their lives or stopping them from going online. Real time monitoring is convenient and really works. Without physically being on the computer, you can check up on your kids several times throughout the day – can high speed Internet providers offer that kind of service? And the best part is, as long as you can find an Internet service connection, you can log into your account and see what’s happening on your home computer. So you can be at the office, at a friends’ house, or in an Internet café for that matter – you can be anywhere in the world and still know what websites your kids have been visiting while you’ve been away. Parents find that monitoring software is particularly useful when they are away on business trips and can’t see their kids in the flesh. Although you won’t be home to make them dinner or pack their lunches, you will have access to their Internet usage.

Learn more about useful parental controls and tools to keep your kids safe at www.internet-serviceproviders.net.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   parental controls  

Online Safety and Your Mac Computer

For the concerned parent, the security and filtering measures put in place by high speed Internet providers are a good start in keeping questionable material away from your children, but there is more you can do. If you own a Mac and run Mac OS Tiger, the parental control settings provide even more protection and security. All you have to do is make sure everything is set up the right way.

Here’s what to do:

1. Log in as the system administrator to gain access to the computer’s settings. Your personal account is probably the system administrator’s account if you’re the one who purchased the system.
2. Click the Apple icon in the “Finder” menu bar.
3. Scroll down to “System Preferences” and click “Accounts.”
4. Select the user account to which you want to apply the new parental control settings.
5. Click “Parental Controls.”
6. Set up each account according to your personal preferences. Remember, you’ll have to set the parental controls for each account individually for the changes to take effect on all user accounts. The good news is that you can customize the settings for all your kids’ accounts, depending on age and the type of Internet usage you expect from them.

Because high speed Internet providers don’t affect the parental control features on your computer’s operating system, it’s necessary to set the security levels manually. Luckily, this is easy to do, and doesn’t take a lot of time. Many people don’t realize that operating systems come with parental controls that can be tailored to suit your family’s needs. Take advantage of these tools, instead of letting them sit on your computer unused. These parental controls are free and work well, so it makes sense to take a few minutes out of your day to set them up for each user account on the computer. Plus, this way you won’t have to worry about limiting your own browsing and filtering preferences. Your kids will be safe while they surf, and you can continue to use the Internet without security measures intended for your children getting in the way.

Some more tips

The great thing about the parental controls on your computer’s operating system is that you can change the settings according to your personal needs – you can’t always do this with the software offered by Internet service providers. Set the filters and blocks to a level that is appropriate for the applicable child. The level you set will depend on the age of your kid. The higher the settings, the safer your kids will be. You always have the ability to go back and alter the settings as your needs change. The Internet and the nature of online threats continue to evolve as time goes by. Although you may be satisfied with your parental control settings for now, it’s important to make changes as your needs develop over time.

If some of the menu options are dimmed and inaccessible, click the Lock icon to open up all your options and enable other functions.

For more useful safety information, visit http://www.internet-serviceproviders.net.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 3 on 10/31/2014
Article Posted In:   kids safety  

What You Missed - The 40th Anniversary of Ethernet

In this day and age, it's almost hard to remember what life was like before the internet. How did people get instant directions to any location they wanted? How did we keep up with one another when we had to run to the store? What if we forgot our grocery list, where did we back it up? The truth is that these modern conveniences have become standards very, very quickly, and as much as it's hard to remember life without the internet, it's even harder to remember what it was like when dial-up was the only option.

Businesses ran slower, it was way more expensive, and only super populated areas had options. Believe it or not, the technology for the ethernet was created 40 years ago. Of course it took many years for this technology to be perfected and made affordable for many Americans, but no matter how you slice it, 40 years ago something big was happening.

Article Posted by Expert Author: 1 on 11/01/2013
Article Posted In:   internet service  

Categories: internet service,  parental controls,  kids safety,  anti virus software,