The folks behind AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet understand that services shouldn’t be one size fits all. That’s why they offer five different packages that provide varying levels of service to meet the unique needs of individual users. After all, some people only use their Internet connection for surfing and emailing; others need a lot of power to conference, game and watch movies.

AT&T U-verse high speed Internet packages vary from the Pro account that offers up to 3 Mbps of download speed to the Max Turbo that provides 24 Mbps. Other packages – Elite, Max and Max Plus – fall in between on the spectrum to provide more tailored service.
A look at the Max Turbo package will give those considering AT&T U-verse a good idea of what the internet service can really provide. This package – AT&T’s best – provides customers the power to email, download music, take part in social networking, share photos, game online, conference, watch television, upload files, download movies, stream video and even video conference.

AT&T U-verse customers also enjoy several features that go above and beyond typical service packages. They include:

Better Connects at Home, on the Road

AT&T U-verse internet offers a built-in wireless home networking system. The Residential Gateway is designed to eliminate dead spots and prevents outside access to an internet connection. AT&T Wi-Fi also offers customers the ability to email, stream video, listen to music and more while they’re on the go using the national AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot network. This feature is available at no extra charge.
U-verse customers also enjoy an unlimited national dial-up Internet access unlimited if they are away from home and a Wi-Fi Hot Spot isn’t available.

Enhanced Communication

AT&T U-verse internet customers also enjoy access to the company’s email system. Mail Plus, for example, offers near unlimited storage, POP access and 10 additional email accounts.

Security

This is a big concern for AT&T and it has taken steps to safeguard its customers. AT&T U-verse internet comes with an Internet Security Suite that’s powered by McAfee. It provides a firewall, anti-spyware and antivirus protections. In addition, users also enjoy access to parental controls, a pop-up catcher, Spam Guard and more.

AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet is designed to offer customers the level of service they really need. From the powerful Max Turbo package to the more scaled down Pro package, AT&T customers enjoy unlimited access, tight security and a host of other features.

With more than 8 million known victims in 2010 alone, identity theft is a concern that just about everyone needs to be aware of. The bad guys are willing to use a variety of attacks to gain the information they want, so their potential victims need to be aware and proactive to avoid them.

Unfortunately, some people falsely believe that identity theft only occurs on the Internet. With this in mind, they don’t enact protections for themselves or others in their lives. To better understand just who needs identity theft protection, it helps to have a clear picture of what these thieves do and what information they go after.

Just What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft involves the unauthorized access and use of a person’s personal information. The information may include Social Security numbers, bank account information, credit card numbers and more. Identity thieves seek to use their information for their own personal financial gain. Even in the case of a newborn, there is a potential vulnerability. A Social Security number, for example, can be stolen and then used to establish an “identity” and set up accounts under a fabricated persona.

Identity thieves use the information they gather in a variety of ways. They include:

• Straight theft – Capture a credit card number and other identifying information and a thief can easily use these things to make purchases that are charged to another. They can also take bank account information and use it to drain accounts to their own advantage.
• Elaborate theft – That newborn’s Social Security number is a good example of a more elaborate scheme. In this type of case, the thief might use the information to create a whole persona that can be used to establish new accounts that can be used for financial gain. The parents of the newborn might not even know the theft is going on until years later.

The Dangers

While most banking institutions and credit card companies have mechanisms in place to protect their clients from undue losses related to identity theft, victims often find their good names, credit and lives have been violated and even ruined. It can take a great deal of time to straighten out theft when it happens. In the meantime, victims might have trouble gaining credit, landing employment and more.

Identity theft is a concern for everyone. Since attacks and be high-tech and low-tech alike, the reality is no one is immune to the need for protection. Programs such as Norton 360, Norton Internet Security, and LifeLock identity theft protection and others are potentially valuable tools that can help protect against this type of crime.

Thanks to the creation of the Internet, people are no longer limited to landline telephones when it’s time to make a call. A relatively new type of services enables computer owners with Internet connections to tap into these devices to call locally and long distance – often for less money than landline phones cost.

Called Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP for short, these services offer a number of potential advantages. There are a few potential pitfalls, too, if consumers aren’t careful with the service they select to provide VoIP.

VoIP works by letting users tap into their broadband connections to transform their voices into digital signals. If a person is calling another VoIP users, the signal is sent straight through. If the number dialed is a typical phone, the signal is converted before it reaches the person called.

Equipment Needed

VoIP services can vary in the type of equipment they require for users to make and receive calls. Some of the equipment that might come into play includes:

• A broadband Internet connection – This is required by VoIP provider services as it’s the fastest, most reliable way to ensure a call goes through as desired. A computer may or may not be required, however.
• Specialized phone – In some cases, a special VoIP phone might be required or an adapter to make a regular phone work with the service. In most cases, VoIP provider sends an adapter so a user can use own regular phone.
• A service provider – Some type of service provider will be required to handle the transmission of calls. Some VoIP providers offer their services at no charge, but others do ask for a monthly fee. Free providers may limit calls only to other users of that particular VoIP service, or they may charge for long distance calls.

Why Choose VoIP?

Depending on the quality of the service, VoIP can deliver a number of advantages. Firstly, these services tend to be less expensive than a traditional landline phone. In many cases, VoIP providers are also able to offer special features that other phone companies might charge extra for or not offer at all. In some cases, VoIP may even be used when a person is on the road. The example is Vonage that offers several calling plans. The service can be used on the road, as long as an Internet connection of sufficient quality and speed is available. Vonage World plan includes 60 countries and long distance in United States and Canada for a monthly fee plus taxes and fees.

Potential Pitfalls

While VoIP can save users money, it’s not without its share of potential problems. If a reputable service isn’t selected, users may find their calls don’t connect well and that power outages impact their ability to make calls. In addition, 9-1-1 service may not be available with some VoIP services.

VoIP offers a viable and affordable alternative to a traditional phone. It’s important for users to vet services and select those that offer quality and reliability both.

Switching home telephone service to a cable-based carrier offers lots of choices. With many different providers offering services, some wonder which one is the best to choose. When it comes to pricing and features, other carriers cannot compete with AT&T Uverse.

Why? Let’s take a look at the features AT&T Uverse delivers its customers – in addition to being able to combine television, telephone and Internet service into a single package! Here they are:

• Caller ID on TV – This is a very popular feature that enables people to screen incoming calls on their televisions. AT&T offers this and so does Comcast, Cox and CableVision. Charter does not. Time Warner only has this offered in certain markets.
• Message Waiting Indicator on TV – This is an exclusive U-verse TV feature for customers with both television and telephone service.
• Locate Me/Follow Me – Keeping up with calls at home while on the road is easy with these features. AT&T and CableVision are the only ones with the service.
• Click to Call – This feature is only offered by Uverse.
• Voicemail Viewer – Comcast does offer this with its Smart VM, and AT&T is proud to deliver it, as well.
• Call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, caller ID, call waiting ID – These are relatively standard features that all the major carriers offer. Keeping mind that Charter does charge more for 3-way calling.
• Repeat dialing – This is part of the Uverse plan. Some other carriers, such as Charter, offer it with an additional charge.
• Call screening – Uverse, Charter and Cox offer this.
• Safe call forwarding – This is a feature that’s offered by most major carriers, as is anonymous call blocking and Caller ID block.
• Voice mail – Believe it or not, this feature does not come standard with all major carrier plans. Uverse includes it. Time Warner actually charges extra.
• Fax/Modem Support – Again most major carriers do provide this. Charter, however, does not.
• Combined billing – When convenience is desired, Uverse delivers. Cox is the only other carrier that provides this.
• Initial battery backup – Uverse Residential Gateway customers get this. Many other carriers charge extra for this protection.

When the most well-rounded package for the money is desired, AT&T Uverse Voice delivers on features. Unlike much of the competition, AT&T has deemed many “extra” services a part of its normal plan. From making sure customers have battery backups to providing message waiting indicators and a locate me feature, AT&T is out to make sure its customers get the very best in service.