| Internet providers are available in many countries. | | | | computers and machines that have been taken |
| These providers are simply companies that | | | | over by computer viruses. So far, the law has |
| provide people with internet connections. Internet | | | | not done anything to stem the torrent of spam. |
| providers are eyeing a middle class of 150 million | | | | The four companies -- America Online, Earthlink, |
| to 250 million. | | | | Yahoo, and Microsoft -- filed suits in federal courts |
| Providers | | | | in their home states against different groups they |
| There are thousands of different internet service | | | | contend are spammers. In addition to the |
| providers providing different types of internet | | | | defendants named in the lawsuits, all four internet |
| service. You may of herd of DSL, Cable Internet, | | | | providers sued 220 other "John Doe" defendants |
| and Dial Up connection but satellite internet is not | | | | who they contend are sending spam but whom |
| as widely known, nevertheless, satellite is taking | | | | they cannot yet identify. The lawsuits reignited |
| the country by storm, because of its relatively | | | | the debate about whether the Can-Spam Act |
| easy set up costs and availability in the most | | | | was tough enough to confront a problem that is |
| remote parts of the world, satellite internet | | | | threatening to undermine the usefulness of e-mail, |
| providers are becoming today the hot choose. | | | | by far the most popular day-to-day application of |
| Satellite internet for consumers is easy to buy. | | | | the internet. The act bans some of the most |
| Satellite internet providers are, not surprisingly, | | | | common tactics of spammers, including lying |
| few. Most big providers of satellite internet | | | | about who is sending a message, using a |
| service serve satellite tv and internet customers | | | | misleading subject line, and hijacking computers. |
| in the suburbs or countryside. Business users are | | | | Wireless |
| an increasing slice of the satellite internet provider | | | | What use to be the most common service was |
| market. For quite a while, satellite ISP providers | | | | dial-up service. But more and more people are |
| were seen as just keeping telecoms honest. | | | | turning to DSL, broadband cable and even wireless |
| Mail | | | | or satellite internet services mainly for its higher |
| The web has become an indispensable tool for | | | | speeds and its convenience. A wireless service |
| many office jobs (along with, admittedly, an | | | | can be provided through a wireless modem or a |
| enormous time waster), but if you thought the | | | | wireless card, but you can also have a wireless |
| competitive advantage of broadband internet | | | | modem at home that does not provide a |
| stopped at e-mail and a bit of instant research, | | | | wireless, mobile internet service. Wireless internet |
| think again. For anyone trying to deliver internet | | | | providers give customers access to the internet |
| e-mail these days, rain, sleet, snow, even rabid | | | | without the wires, of course. Wireless access to |
| dogs would be welcome obstacles." E-mail now is | | | | the internet guarantees users flexibility, for they |
| increasingly unreliable because of the huge volume | | | | can work anywhere and at anytime they want. |
| of spam. | | | | Wireless Internet also assures quick transfer and |
| Free | | | | exchange of data. Instead of having a cable line |
| Often, isp`s provide free internet usage, but call | | | | built into the house such as cable internet must |
| charges still remain applicable. Hi-speed internet | | | | have, or having a telephone line built in, such as |
| lowest price ever $100 rebate, free install, service. | | | | DSL needs, Satellite internet providers provide |
| Beware of packages that seem to offer free | | | | wireless access to the internet through a satellite |
| hardware but then jack in 'installation fees' instead. | | | | dish. |
| Customers | | | | Technology |
| Customers must choose a provider on the basis | | | | Earlier, only telephone was the technology to |
| of availability, rates, customer service and | | | | support internet services. As technology |
| reputation, and that decision is not always easy, | | | | advances, more and more of our media will be |
| given the crowded provider marketplace and | | | | delivered via the web. Technology is growing in |
| conflicting reports on review sites. Customers | | | | demand as well as innovation, so expect a change |
| who intend to make use of the internet must | | | | in the future to this requirement. "The technology |
| recognize that the internet is unmoderated in | | | | is new and the regulatory response is new. The |
| many instances. Customers who allow children to | | | | link between technology and law is not always |
| have access to the internet should be particularly | | | | just for the benefit of businesses. |
| aware of this issue. "They don't seem to be going | | | | Many internet providers are simply holding |
| out of their way to educate customers about the | | | | companies, renting lines and equipment from other |
| problem. | | | | holding companies. Dial up internet providers are |
| Spam | | | | service providers that allow users to access the |
| Spammers were sending e-mail out to the | | | | internet for a fee. 'A third of the internet |
| internet using @Home customers' computers to | | | | providers are expected to end their business as a |
| camouflage the source. Most spammers hide their | | | | result of the high interception costs. |
| tracks by sending messages through off shore | | | | This article was written by Jim Swank. |