The Dialup Dilemma

By Dirk J. Hedlund
Originally Posted May 11, 2004

    There might be a couple reasons to switch from dialup to broadband you haven't considered yet... 

    When you use dialup:

1. You may be more likely to get the next virus

2. Hackers may find it easier to gain access to your computer

    I don't know who first came up with the idea that broadband Internet (cable or DSL) made it more likely for you to get attacked, but I first heard of it when the first DSL and cable systems were just starting to become available in my area.  The idea, of course, stems from the fact that computers with broadband Internet are usually "always on" so the hacker or virus has more time to look for a weakness to exploit.  I can't argue against that point, and I insist my clients with broadband install some kind of firewall to protect themselves.

    Where exactly does the problem come in?  Well, in my experience, broadband users are MUCH more likely to download and install updates on their computers.  Dialup users don't seem have either the time or patience to log on, manually start the update process, and log off again when finished.  Not that I can blame them, the update process is a lot more difficult and far more time consuming over dialup. 

    Remember: I'm not just speaking of patching Windows.  I'm also talking about antivirus updates, and updates to spyware blocking software.  All of these things need to connect to the Internet to download their updates.

    I see a lot of systems, either in my shop or on site with a client, that still use dialup networking to connect to the Internet.  I'm usually called in to look at a system because it's not behaving as it should.  In my preliminary checks, I look for current antivirus software, existing firewalls, and Windows patches.  I can't recall EVER seeing a dialup system with everything it should have.  They're usually missing all the Windows updates and the antivirus software is extremely out of date.  Of course, most dialup users have never even heard of a firewall.

    The worst dialup systems tend to have no antivirus, because "It isn't needed.  The system isn't connected to the Internet very long.  Nothing is ever downloaded."  They don't have Critical updates installed because "There isn't time to download all those updates" or "The updates slow my computer down" or "The updates make my computer crash" or "I just don't need them."  This is all about two minutes before I tell them what manner of virus, hacker, or spyware has crawled into their system.

    Of course there's ANOTHER reason to switch from dialup to broadband: Everyone knows, that's SPEED.  Forgetting that no 56K modem in the world lets you connect to the Internet at 56K (It's true, you're probably averaging in the upper 30s, even if it says you get a 56K connect.), DSL download speeds (in this area ) are approximately 1500K and cable modem download speeds are about 3000K.  Some quick math tells us that DSL is about 2700% faster and cable is about 5400% faster.  Actual speeds do vary, but these are pretty fair estimates.

    What about cost?  Let's say dialup costs about $20 per month, DSL is about $30, and cable is about $40.  That's about right for the speeds I was talking about in the previous paragraph.  Actual costs do vary, but once again, these are pretty fair estimates.  So for $10 to $20 more per month, you can increase your Internet speed 2700% to 5400%, respectively.  (If you want bigger numbers, try factoring in the 30K actual modem speed and compare that to DSL or cable.  That gives you an increase of 5000% to 10,000%!)

    So, you get a much more enjoyable Internet experience, as far as bandwidth goes, and you might just be safer too.  Even better, you don't have to go broke doing it.  What's not to love about that?

    Dirk Hedlund is a computer consultant with Klatt & Associates, CPA, PC.  He can be reached at dirk.hedlund@klatt-assoc.com , or by calling (515) 232-5642.