We are experimenting with enhancing two areas of our dialup services, download speed and security.

The time it takes to download a web page to your browser can be significantly decreased by installing a “web accelerator” between the terminal server that handles your dialup connection and the Internet.

The “web accelerator” keeps a copy of thousands of web pages, so when you request a

This process eliminates a large amount of the time spent requesting and receiving web pages from the originating web server and results in much faster downloads to your computer.

In the past, the primary focus of our security efforts were directed at virus-infected email. However now it is just as easy for your computer to become infected from a web page, file sharing software or a number of other seemingly

(continued on back)

If you have been using the AVG Anti-Virus software from Grisoft, it's time to upgrade!

Grisoft made an announcement a few months back that they would no longer

support the old version of their software, version 6, after 2004.

AVG Anti-Virus software is easy to use and there is a free version available.

innocent Internet services.

Microsoft has been plagued with security issues involving these virus delivery schemes for years and will most likely never be able to make their

software completely safe.

In an effort to protect your computers from these new forms of attack, we will be installing additional firewalls between our dialup equipment

and the Internet.

We have used basic firewalls for many years, but now see the need to increase the level of protection they provide.

The new firewalls are being developed to increase protection while continuing to allow all Internet services to function as before.

It was a quiet month at the help desk.

Most calls were for setup information.

If you ever need help, please select tech support (Option 2) if you call our main office. This

will enable you to get our dialup access numbers, email settings or our toll-free help desk number.

Please remember, our help desk team is available to you 24 hours a day and the direct, toll free number is
877-221-2116.

This was a quiet month on the network.

Our upstream providers reported no outages and our servers had no downtime.

We made a few improvements to the H-Sphere hosting

cluster; performed several software upgrades and installed a new firewall.

Testing has begun on the new “web accelerator” and firewalls for our dialup customers. This testing will likely continue for the next several months.

Are you pleased with our service? Do you know someone who is unhappy with their current Internet or On-line service?

Why not do them and yourself a favor?

Just recommend our service. If they subscribe, we'll give you a free month of access!

They will appreciate your advice and you'll save a little money.

Again this month, several subscribers are getting their access in January for free - just by referring new subscribers.

Everybody wins!