[PLUG] broadbrand advice

[Anthony Schlemmer]

It is my understanding that the data going to/from a cable modem within 
the cable network is encrypted. Once the data leaves the cable network 
and enters other public networks it's as vulnerable as any other 
network traffic. What does DSL have that makes it more secure? My guess 
is that once the data enters other public networks is no more secure 
than any other data unless the data is already encrypted just like data 
from a cable network.

Also in someways a cable network may be a bit more secure since 
vulnerable SMB ports are automatically blocked so people using Windows 
systems can't have any shared filesystems and/or printers accessed by 
others. This is a good thing since most users don't have a clue on how 
to properly secure their systems. I've not heard of DSL blocking access 
to SMB ports.

Still without any port filtering or firewalling a system running 
vulnerable services will be just as vulnerable on a cable network as it 
is on a DSL network. Certainly I know people with DSL connections that 
can do some filtering and other functionality with their DSL router 
that can help make things more secure but you have to understand how to 
access and configure the router properly. I've read that my cable modem 
may have some port filtering capabilities and other stuff but I don't 
have any documentation on how to access my cable modem or anything 
since the modem was supplied by AT&T and the user documentation is very 
minimal. 

We have our house networked and with multiple email addresses included 
we've found cable modem access to be a very good and cheap way of 
achieving high speed internet connectivity for multiple users at home. 
I know DSL is available to me as well but in looking at what is 
available the downlink speeds don't seem to come close to what I get 
with my cable modem connection. Also the price difference isn't worth 
it to take such a big hit in the down link speed. 

Tony

On Saturday 01 February 2003 23:33 pm, Kris wrote:
> On Sat, Feb 01, 2003 at 10:59:57PM -0800, Sean Whitney wrote:
> > This is a marketing myth.  Cable you share with your neighbor
> > before the router, DSL you share with your neighbor after the
> > DSLAM, what's the difference?
>
> There are a couple things DSL has over cable (and vice versa). 
> Security is a bit less on a cable network.
>
> The primary reason I prefer DSL is freedom of ISP.  This is very
> important for competition and keeping service reliable and cheap
> (regardless of the failure of the LEC's to cooperate in some
> situations).
>
> Comparing the options, in the last couple years Qwest has seemed to
> pull ahead of Verizon with bandwidth choices and ease of moving
> ISP's.  They did screw their customers by moving everyone to MSN a
> while back.
>
> When cable will allow me to say "your IP service sucks, please move
> my traffic to <x> local ISP", then I will consider them a competitor
> for my business, even if they are faster than DSL in some cases
> (downstream).
>
> Additionally, though they all suck, DSL user agreements seem to play
> a bit nicer than those with AT&T.  I do not want to be thrown in jail
> for putting up a PTP node.

-- 
Anthony Schlemmer
aschlemm at attbi.com