Prevention better than cure…

Although not fire proof, take pro-active steps to make sure that you don’t become a victim of bandwidth theft:

• Reliable/reputable ISP – Make sure that you only subscribe to the services of a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP). The reliable ones normally give you the opportunity to subscribe to their services without having to lock yourself into any contracts.  

• Reliable Internet security products – It is important to have access to reliable anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, identity protection and firewall products.  One of our favourites is AVG Total Internet Security (the same product mentioned by our friend in his/her email). There is a wide selection of Internet security products available out there but most of the products are useless in one form or another.  

• Change your modem password– Be sure to change your modem password, do not use the default modem password provided. If you don’t know how to change it, be sure to contact your ISP and ask them how you can change it. Bandwidth thieves (or hackers) have access to info pertaining to the default passwords of various modems. They then write programs they use to search for people that are logged on using certain modems. Needless to say, if a hacker manages to install such a program on your PC and you are making use of a modem that’s on his list, you will make his day if you are using the default modem password.

The next article on bandwidth theft will have details on how you can successfully prosecute bandwidth thieves, et cetera.

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) is strongly opposed to bandwidth theft and doesn’t agree with those that try to justify it. Bandwidth thieves are just as heartless as the ISPs that are out to milk us dry.