Protect Your Cable Internet Connection from Hackers

Is Your Computer Safe Using Cable Internet?

Computers connected to the Internet using a Cable Internet connection are always in danger of violation and invasion of privacy.  This is because computers that are connected to the Internet through a cable modem are always online.  Whenever you are connected to the Internet, you have some level of risk involved, and with cable Internet services, as soon as you turn on your computer, you are connected to the Internet. 

Cable Internet services provide “always on” connections to their customers by creating this large network of computers.  When you order service through a certain Internet service provider, you are entering into their “network,” making it possible for hackers to enter into your computer and retrieve anything from your hard drive. 

How You Can Protect Your Computer

There are several ways you can go about protecting your computer from a hacker’s invasion.  The first way is to disable networking capabilities on your computer, such as file-sharing and print-sharing options.  The downfall of this solution is that you are now unable to use networks, such as home and work networking. 

The other option you have in protecting your computer while using cable Internet is to set up some form of firewall on your operating system.  There are two types of firewalls, in the form of hardware and software. 

Hardware firewalls work to protect your computer by being connected to both the cable and the Ethernet card, so that all information is filtered through the hardware firewall device. 

Software firewalls are less expensive and therefore, more commonly used.  They use coding features that are constantly running on your computer.  This software keeps an eye on all activity between your computer and the Internet.  They will stop any suspicious activities and protect your computer from hackers.

What to Do

If you are connected via a cable Internet service (or any broadband service), it’s in your best interest to get some form of security in place immediately.  The price of not using a firewall and anti-virus system is far greater than the extra effort to set them up.