Safer to use DSL than Cable?

Ernieb

Senior member
Jan 13, 2002
880
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Is it safer to use DSL than cable, because DSL gives you diff IP each time?
So less chance for hackers to hack it? Is this Right??
rolleye.gif
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
13
81
Actually most people aren't even getting their own IP anymore due to IP shortages.
 

Ernieb

Senior member
Jan 13, 2002
880
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Originally posted by: amdskip
Actually most people aren't even getting their own IP anymore due to IP shortages.

so what does it mean? like two people using the same IP ?
Which one is better? DSL or Cable?
 

mpitts

Lifer
Jun 9, 2000
14,732
1
81
It doesn't matter. I would go with whichever is faster.

Most cable and DSL providers don't offer you a static IP unless you pay extra for it.
 

FoBoT

No Lifer
Apr 30, 2001
63,084
15
81
fobot.com
security through anonimity is a poor solution

use proper firewalls with both DSL and cable and you don't have to worry about whether your ip changes or stays the same
 

max105

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2000
1,139
0
76
I would go with which ever one is faster. Also, if you're gonna be using a router, you'll probably be keeping the same IP during the router's uptime but the router should be able to act as your firewall.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
Originally posted by: amdskip
Actually most people aren't even getting their own IP anymore due to IP shortages.

Technically, that statement doesn't make any sense. Given that the Internet functions using IP, every node on the Internet needs an IP address (and yes, users are nodes, just as are websites, etc..) While it may be possible that some ISPs are assigning their users NAT translated IP addresses (i.e. 192.168.1.x), most aren't.
 

Barrak

Guest
Jan 8, 2001
710
0
81
Most Cable companies do not give you static IP's they just give you the same one everytime. Not much of a differance, but the point is, they can change the IP anytime they like. Many DSL companies (like us) do the same, we assign the each IP to a user but we can change anytime we like. Even with dynamic IP assignment the normal DSL user is connected for long periods of time, sometimes up to 3 or 4 days. If you are truley concerned buy or download a firewall.
 

rahvin

Elite Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,475
1
0
Originally posted by: Beau6183
I use DSL, they gave me a static IP at no extra charge.

Yea, but I think you use Xmission and you can't run any server services. Bummer for you. :)
 

Modeps

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
17,254
44
91
i've got a static IP and I dont pay extra for it (and i've got dsl too)
 

edjam

Golden Member
May 3, 2001
1,196
0
0
I think like others have said that if you have a good firewall, be it hardware or software, you should be fine whether you have a static or dynamic IP.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,761
6,644
126
ALl I know is I got Verizon DSL and it is pretty sad. I only got it because it was $30 for the first 3 months, and im going to be home and not at school for the summer (which is the 3 months I am paying for). Also they had a free modem and startup kit for the promotion. So I'm paying $90 for the summer for DSL. But honestly I think it is pretty sorry. I get decent DL speeds (60-90k), but i get cut off ALOT and it doesn't allow me to connect right back. Usually have to wait a little bit. And then sometimes, I will have spurts of a day to 5 days where I get speeds SLOWER than 56k!. Not to mention, the up speed is capped at 15k/sec.

I would definitely stick with cable if you have it in your area and can afford it. I don't know if all DSL is like this, or if all Verizon is like this, or if it's only like this in my area. But I have been fairly dissapointed with it during a lot of the time I have had it over the past 3 months.
 

Ernieb

Senior member
Jan 13, 2002
880
0
0
I do i m using the Norton Internet Security thing..sometimes it tells me that
there is someone ip address xxx xxx xxx xx trying to come in or something..
sometimes i get to see this pop up couple times a night..that scares me a lot
 

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
i like DSL better than cable. Just becuase of personal experiences though.. The cable company around here is always trying to screw people out of their money.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,408
8,596
126
Originally posted by: Ernieb
I do i m using the Norton Internet Security thing..sometimes it tells me that
there is someone ip address xxx xxx xxx xx trying to come in or something..
sometimes i get to see this pop up couple times a night..that scares me a lot

sounds like just random crud on the internet and that your firewall is catching it. nothing to worry about. the thing to worry about is these script viruses that run in your email.
 

RSI

Diamond Member
May 22, 2000
7,281
1
0
El is right... protect your email and you'll be a lot safer. AnalogX has something called Script Defender (I think) which makes sure certain extensions/scripts don't get through in your outlook program or whatever. I always make sure that I have that installed, and I use Norton autoprotect.

"Hackers" aren't going to randmoly target you for no reason. You're of no value to people looking to breach security (unless there's something you haven't told us). Being on a broadband connection doesn't really make you any more "at risk" of being "hacked", if you think about it. My cousin had cable for years before using any sort of firewall, and never once had a problem - and he uses his comp for a lot more things than the average user.

If you're really paranoid, then stop using NIS. It doesn't do much (although the ad blocking is nice). Repeatedly getting warnings will just make you more and more paranoid, by the sound of it, and they really are harmless.