The CNET editors' ISP buying guide helps you figure out what kind of ISP you need, what kind of access to consider, what features to expect, and what traps to avoid.

1. What kind of ISP is right for me?2. What kind of access is available?

3. What services and features should I expect?4. What potential problems should I watch for?

Choosing the right ISP is a matter of finding the best balance between your budget, your experience, how fast your connection must be, and what features really make a difference.

Home user According to Nielsen/Net Ratings, more than 200 million Americans access the Net from home, and slightly more than half use a dial-up connection to do it. If you use the Net just for occasional e-mail and light Web surfing, a traditional dial-up account will get the job done for you. Solo operators can get away with low-cost services, such as Juno or NetZero, which offer a single in-box with 10MB of storage and basic Web access for $10 per month. Looking for a good fit for the entire family? For $22 to $25 per month, easy-to-use services, such as AOL, MSN, and EarthLink, provide separate online identities for each family member, plus tools for controlling spam, pop-up ads, nasty Web sites, and other Internet ills. But if you surf the Web more than an hour per day, like to play online games, or live for downloading MP3 music files, do yourself a favor and get a broadband cable, DSL, or satellite account. Prices start around $40, though you can get a better deal if you buy other services, such as phone or digital TV, at the same time. AOL and MSN offer separate plans that let you "bring your own" high-speed access and still benefit from subscription content, e-mail accounts, and other packaged goodies.

KEY ISP FEATURES:

Easy-to-use dial-up software; built-in e-mail client, address book, and browser.

Thousands of local dial-up numbers throughout the United States.

User forums/chat rooms, instant messaging, easy-to-create personal Web page.

24/7 e-mail, Web, and phone tech support; automatic program updates.

Online content: music, videos, advice forums, online magazines, movie previews, references (from phone books to restaurant listings).

Parental control over e-mail, IM, and Web surfing.

Student Kids have online communications down pat. They won't need much handholding or extras from an ISP, but they will demand speed--for online interactive games, sending and downloading MP3s, and more. That suggests broadband access, such as DSL, cable, or satellite. And if you're the parent of a young teen, you'll want to know where your young one is going and whom he or she is chatting with. Be sure to explore the bring-your-own-broadband options offered by AOL and MSN, which offer extensive parental controls.

For college students, an Internet account usually comes with the price of tuition, and many campuses are installing Wi-Fi networks. Be sure to get a Wi-Fi card for their laptops and consider a wireless ISP, such as Boingo or T-Mobile HotSpot, for the times they want to study off campus. Remember: Such services can be pricey (T-Mobile charges a whopping $30 per month or $5 to $10 per day, depending on the area), so weigh the decision carefully. And because students of all ages are usually on tight budgets, be sure to ask if the ISP offers student discounts.

KEY ISP FEATURES:

Affordable, unlimited broadband service (DSL or cable).

Higher upstream speeds (128Kbps or better) for file uploaders.

Ability to download and e-mail large files.

Instant messaging to the max.

Static IP address (for hosting multiplayer games); support for Xbox, PlayStation, and similar game consoles; dedicated online gaming channel a plus.

Wireless ISP should offer plenty of hot spots near the student's school.

ISP should have multiple, high-speed (T3 or faster) connections to the Internet backbone for maximum performance.

Work at home/Small office Thanks to the Internet, work can follow you home--or help turn your home into a business. Whether you're telecommuting or doing the SOHO (small office/home office) mambo, you'll need an ISP that can provide some business services, such as support for virtual private networks, but that doesn't require you to be an IT director. Here, broadband is essential, but cable or ADSL connections work equally well. Ideally, you'll have a connection that's at least 384Kbps/128Kbps, which means that you download files no slower than 384 kilobytes per second and upload them at 128Kbps. Your ISP should support home networking and common security protocols, such as VPN, and provide phone tech support during business hours at the very least. If you plan to use your home PC to host a Web site or act as a server, check with the ISP first: many providers don't allow home servers or require you to configure them differently before they will work.

KEY ISP FEATURES:

Affordable, unlimited broadband service (DSL or cable).

Static IP address for accessing corporate VPNs; support for common VPN protocols.

Included Web/FTP site with a reasonable amount of storage space for swapping large files with remote office mates.

Free dial-up access, in case broadband connection fails or you need to travel.

Multiple e-mail in-boxes with at least 10MB storage for each.

Personal firewall and antivirus software.

Integrated voicemail and e-mail service.

Traveler Mobile users may not need to surf a lot or download MP3s, but they do need quick, easy, and secure access to e-mail and to their companies' networks. Frequent travelers need lots of local dial-up numbers, Web-based e-mail, wireless access in multiple metropolitan regions, and support for common corporate protocols, such as VPN. A true traveler may require multiple ISPs: a broadband connection for the home or the home office; a cheap dial-up service for when they're on the road; and a wireless provider, such as Boingo or T-Mobile, for easy access from Wi-Fi-equipped laptops or cellular phones. ISPs such as AOL and EarthLink provide both local broadband and nationwide dial-up networks, while regional DSL or cable operators generally don't. Most cell phone companies allow for cellular Internet access as well, letting you send short text messages via your phone or hook a data cable from your phone to your notebook and use the cell as a kind of modem. However, such connections usually operate at poky dial-up speeds.

KEY ISP FEATURES:

Thousands of local dial-up numbers throughout the United States; Web e-mail access; support for instant messaging.

Wireless access via cell technology (CDMA) and/or local wireless hot spots; service coverage in cities you frequent; online database for locating access points; compression software to boost throughput; management software that monitors signal strength, finds available access, and more.

Integrated voicemail and e-mail service that you can check via the Internet and phone.

Support for your company's VPN, sales-force automation software, and other relevant programs.

Multiple wireless service plans; bundles or sells appropriate wireless PC Card.

24/7 tech support.

Small enterprise (up to 100 workers) Small businesses have big ideas and need access to match. Since nearly all organizations that are larger than a handful of people

are networked, they'll need a dedicated high-speed connection that multiple users can share. Here, quality of service is at least as important as speed. Since residential cable and ADSL are "best effort" services, meaning there's no guarantee they'll actually work when you need them, businesses that rely heavily on the Net should consider an ISP offering Symmetrical DSL (SDSL) or T1 connections, which usually come with performance and uptime guarantees. If you plan to host your own Web site, you'll also want an ISP that offers static IP addresses and beefed-up mail handling, e-commerce services, and enterprise-level security. But you'll pay more for the privilege: SDSL lines that handle 384Kbps in both directions start around $200 per month; full-on 1.5Mbps T1s can run $1,000 per month or more.

KEY ISP FEATURES:

Always-on unlimited broadband service (business-class cable or DSL, T1).

Support for Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, and other corporate e-mail programs; instant messaging.

Multiple static IP addresses for Web and e-mail servers and for supporting VPNs.

Multiple e-mailboxes, domain name registration and hosting, Web hosting. Security services: antispam, antivirus, firewall protection (at workstation or server level).

E-commerce services: Web site design and hosting (self-build and custom), shopping carts, catalogs, real-time credit card processing, SSL security, support for FrontPage extensions and Microsoft Access.

Network integration services; onsite hardware and software installation, configuration, and management (servers, routers, firewall); connecting multiple offices and remote users.

24/7 tech support; onsite service; service-level agreements.

Large enterprise (more than 100 workers) Take everything a small business needs from an ISP and quadruple it. Big companies, with hundreds of employees and clients and possibly thousands of e-commerce customers, need more of just about everything: bandwidth, reliability, and security. A big company probably won't need onsite networking help; its in-house IT department will handle that. But the ISP's tech-support staff had better be responsive and on a par with that IT staff.

KEY ISP FEATURES:

Always-on unlimited broadband service from 1.5Mbps (T1) to 45Mbps (T3). Support for frame relay, ATM, voice/data integration, videoconferencing.

ISP should have multiple, high-speed (T3 or faster) connections to the Internet backbone for maximum performance and reliability.

Static IP address for Web and e-mail servers and for supporting VPNs.

Support for high-traffic e-commerce sites; provide e-commerce services including Web site hosting, CRM, shopping carts, catalogs, real-time credit card processing, SSL security, support for SQL, ability to serve/stream audio and video, traffic analysis (metrics).

Network integration services; onsite hardware and software installation, configuration, and management (servers, routers, firewall); connecting multiple offices and remote users.

Server colocation--storing your Web server on the ISP's premises for greater security, performance, and control.

24/7 tech support; onsite service; service-level agreements.

The era of dial-up is slowly but surely coming to a close. Sure, some of us can still get by with modem surfing--especially with the help of the Web-caching accelerators offered by nearly all of the major ISPs--but broadband is where the action is. Nearly half (45 percent) of homes in the United States now have a connection that's faster than dial-up. But not all broadband technologies are created equal--or are equally available to all users. Which ones make the most sense for your home or business? Here are your options, broken down by what you can get, what it does, and whom it suits best.

Dial-upKEY COMPONENTS

Typical speeds: 40Kbps to 50Kbps

Cost: $10 to $25 per month

What you need: External modem (and serial port) or internal modem (and free expansion slot), phone line, patience

Best for: E-mail without attachments, very light Web surfing, downloads smaller than 1MB

Don't write off dial-up just yet. It's reliable and ubiquitous, and it's the ultimate backup if your broadband connection falters or your cable modem is miles away. If you sign up for cable or DSL, chances are dial-up service comes as part of the deal, though you may not get a nationwide network of numbers to call. On a budget? You can still find free ad-supported dial-up services, as well as ad-free ones for $5 to $10 per month. And equipment costs are modest: a typical V.90, 56Kbps internal modem goes for 25 bucks. Can't get broadband? Check out dial-up services that use special caching schemes to speed up access, such as EarthLink and NetZero.

ADSLKEY COMPONENTS

Typical speeds: 128Kbps to 384Kbps upload/1.5Mbps download

Cost: $40 to $60 per month

What you need: External DSL modem, phone line, Ethernet card or USB port, Cat-5 Ethernet cable

Best for: E-mail, heavy surfing, downloads smaller than 30MB, online game playing, streaming video and audio

DSL comes in many flavors, but ADSL dominates residential service. (The A stands for asymmetrical; download speeds are usually much faster than upload speeds.) Before you can order it, your ISP must determine whether your line qualifies for the service, which can take days or weeks, depending on your local phone company. Fortunately, installation is usually a snap; in fact, almost all residential DSL is installed by the customer using a kit that includes a modem, filters, cables, and software. Just plug in the parts to your phone line and PC, and you're ready to go. Sharing the DSL connection with other computers in your home or office is usually fine with the DSL provider. Note: As with cable and satellite, ADSL is a "best effort" service, meaning that you'll rarely if ever experience the top-rated speeds. And unlike cable or the dish, the farther away you are from the phone company's central office (CO), the more the performance drops, though getting someone at the phone company to tell you where the CO is may not be easy. If you're more than 10,000 feet out, consider cable or satellite instead.

Residential cableKEY COMPONENTS

Typical speeds: 128Kbps to 384Kbps upload/1.5Mbps download

Cost: $35 to $55 per month and up

What you need: External cable modem, cable connection, Ethernet card or USB port, Cat-5 Ethernet cable

Best for: E-mail, heavy surfing, downloads smaller than 30MB, online game playing, streaming video and audio

Cable Internet access comes over the same black coaxial line that carries your cable TV signal. Speeds and pricing are very similar to those of DSL, without the distance hassles. (However, as more people log on in your neighborhood, performance can suffer.) Cable service is more widely available and in many cases, you can get a line installed and provisioned (turned on) in days, rather than the weeks that DSL can take. Also unlike DSL providers, most cable operators offer 30-day money-back guarantees, and they don't tie you to a one-year service agreement. Sharing the cable connection with other computers in your home or office is usually fine with the provider.

SatelliteKEY COMPONENTS

Typical speeds: 40Kbps upload/400Kbps to 800Kbps download

Cost: $200 to $750 (dish), $150 to $600 (onsite installation), $50 to $110 monthly fee

What you need: Ethernet card or USB port, dial-up modem

Best for: E-mail, moderate surfing, downloads smaller than 10MB, minimal uploading

If you're living far away from it all, chances are you can't get either DSL or cable. For anything resembling high-speed access, you need satellite service. Be prepared to pay through the nose for installation, hardware, and monthly fees; also expect installers to drill holes in your house for stringing cable and mounting a satellite dish. Depending on the service, you may have to upload files via a separate dial-up connection and use the satellite link just for downloads. Expect a one-year commitment and steep early termination fees (as high as $400). Some services support VPN. Also, if you live in an extremely rainy area, beware. Inclement weather can affect your connection.

Corporate broadband (business-class cable and DSL, T1)KEY COMPONENTS

Typical speeds: 384Kbps to 1.5Mbps upload; 384Kbps to 4Mbps download

Cost: $150 to $1,000 per month

What you need: Ethernet cards, routers, dedicated line

Best for: Web hosting, connecting LANs to Internet, voice/data integration, videoconferencing

For serious corporate connections--especially for networked users--a reliable high-speed connection is a must. You can get business-class cable or ADSL connections ranging from 256Kbps to 2Mbps upstream and up to 4Mbps downstream for $150 to $700 per month, but performance can vary. SDSL and T1 lines offer performance guarantees and higher upload speeds (essential for businesses that send out large volumes of data) but tend to cost more. T1 lines are often sold fractionally, so you can buy just the bandwidth you need. A 384Kbps connection costs around $300 per month, a 768Kbps line around $600, and you can find flat-out 1.5Mbps T1 lines for just less than $1,000. Goodies may include more than 100 IP addresses, onsite router configuration (if you buy from the T1 provider), offsite storage, enterprise-level security software, DNS, and other network services. If T1 exceeds your budget range, SDSL and business-class cable or ADSL variants can be fast enough to serve networked users.

Wireless accessKEY COMPONENTS

Typical speeds: 40Kbps to 60Kbps (CDMA), up to 1.5Mbps (Wi-Fi hot spots)

Cost: $25 to $90 (CDMA), $8 to $50 per month (hot spots)

What you need: Laptop or PDA, wireless modem PC Card

Best for: E-mail, light surfing, downloads smaller than 2MB

The wireless market is in flux, with competing standards and spotty service. But if you need to have access on the run, two options dominate: slow, cell phone-based technology (typically CDMA or GSM/GPRS) and the much faster Wi-Fi (the various flavors of the 802.11 wireless networking standard). The cell phone-based services are metered; after you've sent or received a set amount of data or logged on for a certain number of minutes, you pay a surcharge. Many hot-spot services, such as Boingo or T-Mobile, offer unlimited access from $30 to $50 per month, as well as daily or per-minute plans. Coverage with either technology is limited to major metropolitan regions, but the hot-spot approach has better legs. Whenever your wireless card or your operating system sniffs out a Wi-Fi network--at a club, an airport, a cafe, a convention center, or a business--you can log on instantly and tap into the network's broadband connection to the Net at speeds up to 1.5Mbps. (Note: Some hot spots may charge for access, and logging on can be trickier than dialing up a Web site on your mobile.) Unlike CDMA, some hot-spot services, such as EarthLink's, let you connect securely via VPN.

Although ISP offerings vary, fierce competition--especially between DSL and cable providers--has evened the playing field. Most ISPs should hit the following marks and offer many of the extras we've noted. Don't hesitate to shop around for the right mix and the best price.

Residential accessKEY ISP FEATURES TO LOOK FOR:

No more waitingThe days of twiddling your thumbs for months for DSL seem to be over. If you're close enough to the phone company's central office, your line should be provisioned--and your self-install kit in hand--within 7 to 10 days of placing your order. A cable connection can be made in even less time. As with DSL, you can also get a self-install kit, but the cable company may need to drill holes to thread the cable into your home office. Extras: onsite DSL or cable installation can cost from $99 to $200.

AffordabilityYou can get dial-up service for free for a specified number of hours per month and with compulsory ads, but you'll have to pony up only from $10 to $25 per month for unlimited ad-free service. Basic 128Kbps/1.5Mbps DSL and cable service (self-installed) typically costs between $35 and $50 per month, but many players offer three- and six-month introductory packages for as little as $29 per month. Note: The modem cost and line-activation fee should be waived. Extras: network interface cards.

E-mail to the maxYour broadband ISP should provide you with 4 to 8 free e-mail accounts (some go as high as 15), access to e-mail via a Web site, and at least 20 hours of free dial-up access. There shouldn't be any restrictions on using POP3 and IMAP4 e-mail programs, such as Eudora and Outlook, or instant-messaging apps, but ask, just in case. Extras: more mailboxes, more e-mail storage, integrated voicemail and e-mail.

Space to growAt the very least, you should get 10MB of Web space for storing files or digital photos, plus 5MB to 10MB of storage for each e-mailbox you set up. Extra: Most ISPs can host your domain, but expect to pay extra for the privilege. You can also expand Web and e-mail storage for a few dollars more.

Security for cheapISPs typically offer minimal security services with a basic account. Most major ISPs have built-in spam filtering and antivirus protection at the server level, but you're generally on your own at the desktop. EarthLink provides software to block spam, scams, spyware, and pop-up ads with its dial-up and broadband offerings. But for anything tougher, you'll need to lay out some cash. Extras: firewall/privacy software for each workstation ($40 and up), antivirus software ($50).

Share and share alikeSharing your line with multiple computers in your home or business shouldn't be a problem. Most cable and DSL vendors encourage it, and some, like EarthLink, offer service and support geared to home networkers for a modest monthly fee. But using your home PC as a peer-to-peer (P2P) file server or mail server may land you in hot water with your provider--or simply get you cut off for being a bandwidth hog. Extras: You'll need a router or a gateway so that your computers can share the same line. Both wired and wireless routers start at about $50, though some ISPs offer home networking support and equipment for a little extra per month. Another extra: static IP addresses with NAT (Network Address Translation), useful for hiding networked PCs connected to the same broadband line.

So-so tech supportAlas, tech support can be slow, sloppy, and incomplete. We've found that DSL companies are slightly more technically astute than their cable competitors; cable companies, however, seem to be faster with onsite service. (To check the zeitgeist on broadband service in your region, check out the New Service Reviews at Broadband Reports.) Ideally, support should be 24/7, free, and available via a local or toll-free number, though this level of help is rapidly disappearing. Expect uneven online help; some providers have copious FAQs and searchable knowledge bases and some don't.

Business accessKEY ISP FEATURES TO LOOK FOR:

Darn good supportPaying through the nose for that T1 line? Running an e-commerce site? Got a service level agreement (SLA)? Then the ISP's tech support should respond quickly to your calls, monitor and test your lines continually, be available 24/7, offer nearly zero downtime (and credit you for time lost when they do go down), and send techs out for on-the-spot installation and configuration help.

Redundancy, redundancy, redundancyKeeping your corporate communications with the outside world humming is what you're paying your ISP to do, so it had better have sufficient bandwidth and reliable, fast, redundant connections to the Internet "backbone." For example, a tier-one ISP should have multiple T3 (45Mbps) and even OC3 (optical, 155Mbps) connections to backbones provided by AT&T and Qwest. Extras: automated, regular backup of your servers and Web sites, online storage, data encryption, and 24-hour turnaround time for restores, all managed by the ISP.

Reach out and network someoneIf you're paying for a big pipe, the ISP should have the tools for using it to the max. One key service it should offer is the ability to connect near and far-flung offices with a wide-area network (WAN)--which means the ISP should offer frame relay and/or ATM service. Extras: private-line transmission (channels dedicated to sending data) and BGP routing (redundant connections to the Net).

Hardware and softwareYour IT department may be up to the challenge, but most business ISPs should offer (and install) the necessary routers, modems, lines, and firewalls at your site. Lots of fixed IP addresses should be part of the deal, since they're needed for hosting servers and using VPN. Extras: Some ISPs can set up servers (or use the ones you provide) that are dedicated to your company. Advantages: You can run your own networking and hosting software, control security, and add more servers quickly as demand increases.

Buy and sellMany business ISPs can host your e-commerce sites and provide ancillary services: Web site design and programming, prefab storefronts, security, shopping carts, catalog software, counters, and more. Basic service typically limits you to 200MB of Web space, 5GB to 10GB of traffic (data transfers), a few dozen mailing lists, 50 to 100 catalog items, and so on. Extras: more of everything: unlimited catalog items, 500MB or more of Web space, and 30GB-plus of traffic. Other extras include tons of POP e-mail accounts, e-mail filtering and redirection, sophisticated Web statistics, support for SQL databases, the ability to serve audio and video streams, and more.

Getting mobileSmart ISPs know that some of your workforce is out on the road. At the very least, the ISP should have local dial-up access in major metro regions throughout the United States, plus access to Web-based e-mail. Extras: roaming dial-up service (via iPass or a similar provider) and wireless access via Wi-Fi hot spots and mobile phones.

Keeping secureKeeping your corporate data secure means more than passing out copies of a software firewall and an antivirus program. Business ISPs should offer a suite of security services, including SSL for online transactions, integrated hardware firewalls, active virus scanning for all hosted domains, and support for your company VPN. Extras: onsite installation and configuration, security audits, automated alerts.

Picking the right ISP is a tricky business. You're not only picking a technology (dial-up vs. cable vs. DSL), but a provider and all its attendant pluses and minuses when it comes to hardware, software, service, and support. Before you sign on the dotted line, consider some of these gotchas, misperceptions, and little-known facts.

Bigger doesn't necessarily mean betterAt a big ISP with millions of customers, your desperate cry may be lost among the masses. A smaller ISP with a few thousand customers could be a better bet, especially for a dial-up account or a small business. There are an estimated 7,000 ISPs, and the vast majority are small, mom-and-pop operations or resellers of larger national providers. Scrutinize the ISP's capacity and reliability. Check consumer complaints on CNET's forums (go to a review and click the User Comments tab), Google Groups, and the Better Business Bureau. Ask some technical questions: What's the ISP's modem-to-user ratio? (One modem for every four or five users is sufficient.) How many direct high-speed connections does it have to the Internet's backbone? (If it doesn't have direct connections, how many "hops" away is it? The fewer hops, the better.) How many local dial-up numbers does the ISP have nationwide? (The more the better so that you can dial in while on the road.) What's the ISP's average sustained traffic load? (Anything over 75 percent in a 24-hour period indicates capacity is saturated and your performance may suffer.)

Bigger can be better, of course, if you need a single source for multiple services. EarthLink, for example, offers just about everything under the sun: dial-up, DSL, T1, wireless services, and more.

Watch the newsYou may not know it, but we're in the midst of an ISP shakeout, with big players such as EarthLink and MSN swallowing up smaller ones in an effort to stay competitive. If you can, avoid ISPs that might be acquired or sold; the transition to a new parent provider is often ugly. Check CNET News.com and sites such as ISP Planet and the business press for news on how an ISP is faring. Is it paying its bills on time? Are investors and employees happy? Is a sale imminent? If an ISP is going through an internal reorganization or financial struggles, customer service will likely suffer.

Broadband isn't necessarily as fast as you thinkAlmost all cable and DSL provider promise "best effort" performance. You may be paying for 1.5Mbps service, but good luck actually getting it. If you're using DSL and you're too far from the phone company's central office, you may get only half the advertised downstream speed. If you have cable, neighbors logging on at the same time can halve your throughput. And while broadband really does give a big boost to file downloads, Web surfing is often only three to five times faster than dial-up.

Don't pay list priceIf you can get one kind of broadband access in your area, odds are pretty good you can get more than one, and that puts you in the driver's seat. In many markets, AOL, EarthLink, and Time Warner all offer the same Roadrunner service, but with different discounts. Even better, the cable companies are in a pitched battle with DSL providers over customers, especially business users; if you can get both cable and DSL in your area, ask each firm's salesperson what he or she can do to sweeten the deal. You may see discounts of up to 25 percent off the advertised price. Want to start a bidding war? Visit sites such as Broadband.com or Broadbandbuyer.com, enter the types of service you're interested in, and salespeople will contact you, begging for your business.

Beware free trialsMany big ISPs--notably AOL--offer free trials. But you still have to provide a credit card number, and if you forget to cancel service at the end of the trial, you'll be billed. And as we've seen with big ISPs, stopping billing and getting refunds can be tough.

Forget that Web serverFor technical and other reasons, you typically can't host a Web server from a cable or DSL connection. Many DSL connections aren't really "always on" but rather, "always available." Most cable agreements prohibit customers from running Web servers to prevent a handful of users from hogging all the bandwidth in a neighborhood, as well as keep spammers from abusing the service. If the ISP does permit Web site hosting, you'll probably have to upgrade your service plan and pay for a fixed IP address and NAT.

Use the provider's hardwareYou can buy cable and DSL modems from a number of providers, but don't bite. Although you'll save a little money, you'll have fewer configuration hassles if you buy or lease equipment from the broadband provider. If you have a choice, lease rather than buy your broadband modem (better yet, see if the company will provide it free of charge). That way, you'll get technology upgrades and repairs for free. Note: If you're upgrading to a router-cum-modem-cum-firewall product, make sure your broadband provider supports the unit. Call the provider and check its supported hardware listings online.

The many flavors of DSLAll DSL is not the same. Residential DSL is typically ADSL, which is usually limited to speeds of 128Kbps or 256Kbps upstream and 1.5Mbps downstream. Symmetric DSL (SDSL) is used by businesses that need a reliable connection, with matching speeds in both

directions. Speeds range from 144Kbps to 1.5Mbps, and costs go from $100 to $400 per month. Some ISPs offer service guarantees. There's also IDSL (ISDN DSL), which is as pricey as SDSL but offers only 144Kbps in both directions. It's aimed at users who are too far from a central office (usually more than three miles) to qualify for faster versions of DSL.

Ouch! Early termination feesBefore you sign up, make sure you can back out. Does the ISP offer a 30-day money-back guarantee? If not, can you cancel after a month--without penalties--if you can't get promised performance? (If not, don't bite.) Either way, check for early termination fees, which can range from $200 to $500.

Always on, always vulnerableAn always-on connection means hackers are always snooping around your PC. Even if your ISP provides a firewall, a spam filter, and antivirus protection on its end, you may need to have it on your end, too. If you have cable, you're basically on a big LAN with your neighbors. (Go here to learn how to disable the sharing features in Windows.) For antivirus protection, we currently recommend Norton AntiVirus; for software firewalls, ZoneAlarm Pro gets the nod. If you're setting up a wireless network, you'll want to make sure it's password protected or set to recognize only the equipment you use (see the documentation that came with your gear for details).

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