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Archive for December, 2011

Internet

December 21, 2011

AT&T Draws In NYC Park Traffic With Free Wi-Fi

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Free wireless Internet (or Wi-Fi) is usually found in restaurants or hotels. The last place anyone would expect free Wi-Fi is a park. Usually, any type of Internet access in nature requires a device which can be shared among several devices. AT&T is out to change all of these preconceived notions. Currently, the AT&T wireless Internet service is starting out in New York in three prominent park areas.

New York City’s Prospect Park Picnic House and Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park are two parks currently receiving free Wi-Fi from AT&T. The third park as the first group of this innovative service is Manhattan’s Marcus Garvey Park. The plan is to provide free Wi-Fi access to 26 different locations in 20 parks in New York City within five years.

This digital initiative was planned by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg along with the city of New York. The city partnered with AT&T due to their excellent coverage in the area and innovative ideas. Literally millions of people visit Prospect Park alone. Providing free Wi-Fi attracts even more visitors and tourists. It is also the perfect way to give back to the community.

Unlike many other supposedly “free” services that depend upon whether a user is a customer or not, users do not have to be AT&T customers to access the free Wi-Fi. AT&T gains respect from customers and draws in new business by showcasing the quality of their service for free to everyone in the area.

As a benefit to AT&T customers, they can save on data usage by switching to the free Wi-Fi seamlessly. In a way, it is truly giving back to the customers who have helped make AT&T what the company is today. As the largest provider of Wi-Fi hotspots, AT&T is taking major steps towards ensuring the entire country has access to the Internet, wherever they may be.

With most devices, data service is required. Free Wi-Fi spots, like those in New York, enable users to save themselves from overages charges simply for using the Internet as it was meant to be used, for free. Any Wi-Fi enabled device can use these hotspots and enjoy Internet without limits or restrictions.

With AT&T leading the charge, others may start to realize the importance and even benefits of providing the country with something for free. Free Wi-Fi may even lead to data usage limits being lifted so users can enjoy amazing service for less, even outside Wi-Fi spots.

For its customers, AT&T provides Basic and Premium Wi-Fi services. Basic Wi-Fi is included with all AT&T high speed Internet services, like AT&T DSL and Uverse Internet.

 

Internet Security

December 15, 2011

How To Protect Children Online

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While many parents would like to protect their children from the dangers of going online by simply disallowing any computer time, this is just not an option in today’s world. With more school demanding Internet-based homework and more educational materials making their way online, it’s practically impossible to avoid. Even elementary school children need access to the internet these days to do Mathletics for example.

So, how can parents ensure their children get their schoolwork done while making sure their online time is safe? Here are some tips to enable both working and surfing in an safer environment:

  • Monitor all online activity personally – Try to make sure a child’s computer – even a teenager’s – is placed in a location where parents can keep their eyes on activity. Many families place computers in their dens or create a family office where everyone can work and play.
  • Use an online protection program – Programs like Norton 360 offer parental controls so parents can easily set what websites a child can visit and ban others from a particular machine. This is an excellent way to help protect children – and a computer – from the dangers that lurk online.
  • Consider keyloggers – There are some programs parents can access that will enable them to see and read everything their children say in chat rooms and other potentially dangerous locations.
  • Demand access to all user names and passwords – Do not allow children to create online accounts without permission – even for school. This includes email addresses, social media accounts and so on. Be sure to keep a list of all user names and passwords and check a child’s account frequently for any worrisome correspondence.
  • Lay ground rules – Parents can and should lay ground rules for online use. Children should be made aware of those rules and they should adhere to them. The rules might include limiting online time for schoolwork only, setting a certain amount of “play” time and so on.
  • Talk to children about the dangers – Children need to be made aware of the kinds of dangers that lurk online. For example, they should know that not everyone on a social media website or in a chat room might be who they say they are. Be frank and straightforward when discussing the potential dangers.

The internet is becoming a necessary tool for daily life, even for children. Parents can take measures to ensure kids are safe when they’re online. When the right moves are enacted, the benefits of the internet can be enjoyed without opening the door to the potential perils.

Internet

December 1, 2011

4 Reasons to Consider AT&T DSL

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There are all sorts of options for connecting to the internet. From cable and dialup to DSL, consumers do have their choices these days. If it’s DSL that’s desired, however, AT&T DSL Internet offers one of the best solutions going.

AT&T DSL service is a Digital Subscriber Line solution that offers high speeds without the fuss and muss cable installations can involve. Since it offers broadband access using telephone lines, most consumers already have the basic equipment they need to enjoy DSL service.

AT&T DSL High Speed Internet is considered among the best for a few very good reasons. Here are four reasons why it pays to consider this particular service provider:

  • Speed – AT&T DSL Internet is by its very nature a high-speed, broadband solution. Consumers will find, however, that they do have their choice of speeds. AT&T has gone to great lengths to ensure its DSL customers have options meant to support standard use, business-grade service and more. Even those who need rapid fire connections for demanding online games will discover AT&T DSL has an option that suits them. The download speeds for this service ranges from 768 Kbps to 6.0 Mbps. For speed higher than 6.0 Mbps, AT&T offers Uverse Internet which goes up to 24 Mbps for download speeds. Uverse Internet is also used for AT&T Uverse TV service.
  • Reliability – AT&T DSL is considered among the most reliable in the industry. This is because AT&T has gone to great lengths to ensure its users enjoy the best in service at the homes and at their businesses. AT&T backs its DSL service with robust technology meant to ensure reliability and performance.
  • Bundle options – AT&T DSL service is available on its own or as part of a number of different pricing/service bundles. Customers can enjoy this service along with home phone coverage, television packages and more. AT&T DSL subscribers, in fact, can wrap up all of their communication and entertainment needs with this single company. The options make AT&T DSL a smart and an affordable choice.
  • Dedicated lines – AT&T DSL understands that neighborhood traffic on phone lines can impede the speed at which service is delivered. That’s why the company has ensured that its customers enjoy dedicated digital lines that are always available. Subscribers don’t have to worry about switching out in between phone and computer use either. Simultaneous phone and data use is a part of the plan. AT&T’s dedicated lines are also directly connected from a home or business right to the DSL gateway. This means users won’t have to worry about slowdowns.

AT&T DSL is considered one of the best choices going for high-speed internet connections. Courtesy of its reliability and the programming options available to go with it, consumers will find that AT&T delivers a solid choice to meet just about anyone’s specific requirements. AT&T DSL High Speed Internet is available as combined with home phone service, or as a standalone service known as AT&T DSL Direct. This means a customer can use a phone line provided by another company.