Comcast Offers Norton Security Suite Free to High-Speed Internet Customers

Staring in mid-January, Comcast began offering Norton from Symantec to residential and business high-speed Internet subscribers for no additional cost. The company previously offered McAfee Security Suite.

Norton Security Suite includes PC security that protects against viruses, spyware, worms, Trojans, malicious bots and identity theft. It also includes a range of customizable parental controls. Comcast subscribers with Macs will receive Norton Internet Security for Mac.

According to Norton, a PC that does not have active and up-to-date security software can become infected within four minutes of connecting to the Internet. The Norton Security Suite Internet security features include:

• Virus scan – protects against viruses, bots, spyware, Trojan horses, worms and rootkits and includes Norton’s new reputation-based security technology
• Identity theft protection – helps block phishing Web sites, guards against keyloggers and stores and protects Web passwords
• Parental control tools for family safety – includes filters for age-appropriate Web site content, information about search terms kids are using, and information about their social networking accounts
• Two-way firewall protection – stops threats at point of entry using sophisticated behavioral security technology
• Windows protection – cleans and repairs Windows registry
• PC Tune-up – finds and fixes problems that slow your computer
• 24/7 one-click customer support – via e-mail, chat or phone support

The Norton Security Suite is valued at $160 for residential customers and the Norton Security Suite Business Edition is valued at up to $490 for business customers. The company says the suite is a key component to Comcast’s recently announced Constant Guard Security initiative, which involves a comprehensive approach to proactively assist customers with online security issues. Comcast and Norton will also be offering customers co-branded fee-based virus removal and PC Tune-up services later this year.

Does your high-speed Internet provider offer free security software? If not, see if Comcast if available in your area and switch today to get protected.

Netflix Streaming Rentals Coming to Nintendo Wii

Nintendo and Netflix recently announced they have reached an agreement that will allow Netflix members who are also owners of Nintendo’s Wii™ home console to instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix directly to their TVs. Netflix says it is scheduled to go live on the Wii console this spring in the US at no additional cost to Netflix members who have a plan starting at $8.99 a month, a Wii console and a broadband Internet connection.

Wii is the fastest-selling home console in history, and reaches more consumers than any other device that currently supports streaming movies from Netflix. Netflix currently has more than 11.1 million U.S. subscribers and says it plans to continue to expand the ways in which its members can watch movies and TV shows streamed directly to TVs through Netflix-ready devices.

To enable your Wii to stream content from Netflix, you'll need a Netflix instant-streaming disc which will be available at no additional cost to Netflix subscribers. The free disc looks and operates the same as a disc-based Wii game. Netflix members and Wii console owners can now reserve a free instant-streaming disc by going to www.netflix.com/Wii.

High-Speed Internet Customer Service Links

High-speed Internet. It's rampaging across the world like some kind of monster movie, only the monster is awesome and lets you watch gems like Brendan Fraser's goofy clapping while browsing your favorite Web sites. This high-speed monster is a kind monster, and likes to give you lots of bandwidth.

Even though high-speed Internet has seen rapid growth in the last few years in the U.S., it is not quite everywhere, and is continuing to move from home to home. It's becoming the norm now to have faster Internet, so much so that people are expecting free WiFi at hotels and in other publicly visited places.

In fact, high-speed Internet is one of WhiteFence's most ordered products for the last couple of months, which still surprises me. I suppose I've been used to having it for a few years, so I forget that other people might not have made the plunge yet. Seeing as how there are dozens of providers out there providing all these megabytes to PCs (and Macs, I know) across the country, I figured I'd post links for their high-speed customer support centers all in one place. That way, if you've got any questions about a provider, you can check it out.

VoIP: Easy as 1-2-3

Disclaimer to whomever is in charge of Mr. Jackson's estate: please do not sue us for the title of this blog. We are alright people, and one time we even did a Thriller video in the office. Not really, but how cool would that be?

Anyway, the other day I was talking to my mom, who just recently purchased a new laptop. One of the features she was the most excited about was being able to video chat and Skype with other relatives. Yes, I just used Skype as a verb. Now, my mom is not a tech-savvy person in the slightest, so it was interesting to hear her talking about this, particularly with the amount I've been hearing about Skype, Google Voice and VoIP in general these days. I think it says a lot about the potential and growth of VoIP.

For the uninitiated, VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line.What makes people so excited about VoIP is its ease of use and potential savings benefits over some long distance carriers.

How to Set Up a Wireless Network

If you’ve just ordered a new high-speed Internet package, chances are you’re probably ready to start making the most of it. One of the coolest things you can do with your new service is to cut the cord and set up a wireless network for your home. This lets you use Internet service on laptops, desktops, and all sorts of other nifty devices like DVRs and game consoles, without any wires. How futuristic!

Many Internet providers will furnish a wireless router, either for free or with an additional charge. But, if you are looking to set up your wireless network on your own, check out these handy steps:

• Make sure your devices are ready – Setting up a new wireless network without making sure your stuff is wireless-ready is like buying an awesome new cereal without checking that you have milk at home. Avoid disappointment by checking your computer and device specs to make sure they are ready. Most laptops and many desktops from the last few years come equipped with wireless ability right out of the box, but it’s always best to check.


• Buy a wireless router – There are a million options on the shelves, and they seem to change daily. With that in mind, instead of giving you specific recommendations here, I’m referring you to Cnet’s excellent, constantly updated guide to the best wireless routers on the market. Check through the reviews to find the router that best meets your needs and budget. Then buy it.

Hughes Expands High-Speed Satellite Internet Access for U.S. Troops

Hughes Network recently announced that it has expanded high-speed satellite Internet access for U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Available at U.S. military bases, the broadband Internet service is being delivered via the company’s new operations hub in Dubai.

“Hughes Network is proud to provide high-speed Internet service to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, reinforcing the military’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation efforts in the region,” said Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems Division.

HughesNet high-speed satellite internet service is currently available at U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.

Comcast Launches Fancast Xfinity Internet Video Service

Comcast has launched a nationwide beta program for Fancast Xfinity, the company’s new initiative to allow subscribers to watch TV on their computers. The beta is open to Comcast customers with a bundle that includes both high-speed Internet and television service.

Subscribers simply log in at fancast.com and can watch any content that they currently subscribe to via their television package. Content available now weighs in at about 2,000 hours from 30 networks, including HBO and the Discovery Channel.

Programs like these are really the future of the entertainment industry. Computer and television content will continue to merge, giving providers a wider catalog of services they can sell to a wider market. They are also great for consumers, as they open up new ways to enjoy the programming they are paying for.

A few years ago we were all watching standard-definition television on bulky CRT televisions on the strict schedule of the broadcasters. Now, we can enjoy HD programming on our own schedule on anything from a massive plasma TV in our home to a laptop in a coffee shop. Just imagine all the crazy ways the next generation will be able to watch content.

J.D. Power and Associates: Customer Satisfaction with High-speed Internet Service on the Rise

According to a recent study by J.D. Power and Associates, overall customer satisfaction with residential high-speed Internet service providers has increased from 2008. The study pointed to improvements in performance and reliability as a major factors.

The Internet Service Provider Residential Customer Satisfaction Study^SM found overall satisfaction with residential high-speed Internet service is 639 on a 1,000-point scale-an increase of 22 index points compared to last year.

Among customers who bundle services from their Internet service provider, the most popular option is a combination of video and Internet services. The percentage of customers who bundle voice, video and data services has increased from 16 percent in 2008 to 19 percent in 2009.

High-speed Internet service providers were examined in four regions, with Verizon coming out tops in the East, Bright House Networks' Road Runner service in the South, WOW! in the North Central, and EarthLink in the West.

Not satisfied with your current high-speed Internet service provider? Find other options in your area!

Viewing of Movies and TV Shows Online Doubled in 2009

According to Parks Associates, a market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services, the number of U.S. broadband households watching premium online content, including movies and TV shows via the Internet, doubled in the last year. They found that more 25 million U.S. broadband households regularly watch full-length TV shows online, while over 20 million watch movies online.

In their study Broadband, Communications, and Entertainment Bundles, the company found that the growing popularity of online portals such as Hulu.com shows rapid growth in the number of viewers who use the Internet to watch premium content. Parks concluded that this shift highlights the opportunity for Internet service providers to extend their current pay-TV and video-on-demand services to include online and mobile video features. In addition, they say that these providers will have to embrace online video services, including the ability to deliver content across multiple platforms, if they are to remain competitive and attract new subscribers.

Does your high-speed Internet service handle all the online content you want to experience? If not, it might be time to search for a new provider.

Image via Nielsen Wire

Verizon FiOS Internet Named Reader's Choice by PCMag.com

For the fourth consecutive year, PCMag.com readers gave high praise to Verizon FiOS Internet service, earning the online magazine's Readers' Choice award. It's also the third consecutive year that FiOS has finished at the top of the Web site's annual Internet Service Provider (ISP) Service and Reliability Survey.

The survey, conducted between June 15 and July 17, asked PCMag readers to rate their ISPs in 11 categories ranging from speed and reliability to initial setup and overall satisfaction.

FiOS Internet scored 8.7 out of 10 in its overall rating and led all competitors in scores for initial setup, speed, reliability, e-mail, technical support, repairs and likelihood to recommend. It topped all cable companies when it came to needing the fewest repairs.

See if Verizon FiOS Internet service is available in your area