[WinMac] Tape technologies; Cable vs xDSL security [WAS:Re: setting up a new MAC LAN]

Daniel L. Schwartz(expresso[at]snip.net)
Fri, 01 Oct 1999 09:11:40 -0400

        Dear Tom,

At 08:21 AM 10/1/99 -0400, Tom wrote:
>I've received some good advice so far...only two comments.
>
>1. People are recommending DLT tape backups. Please keep in mind that not
everyone has a LOT of money to spend. Budgets have to be kept in mind,
particularly when the company's managers are not technically knowledgeable,
as mine are.

        Older DLT-IIIx drives can be had for around $700 or so...

>2. People are saying not to get cable modems, but to get DSL instead. DSL
is just as much a security risk as cable modems,

        Not quite true: Cable modems are a LOT worse because kiddie hackers that
are in the "LAN area" (inside the same zone before the head end) can
actually mount "brute force" password & other attacks - Just look how
popular L0pht Crack is. Also, hackers can *easily* monitor cable modem "LAN
traffic" with a packet sniffer. At least with xDSL, it's harder to get
access to the packets - With cable modems they are delivered right into
their living room.

        I'm getting a LOT of reports on this very issue from various sources.
Plus, the bandwidth - lousy for uploading by nature - also sucks for
download speed because the networks are already jammed beyond expectation.

        I'm also getting reports of businesses backing out of cable modem
contracts due to both the security and bandwidth issues - Especially those
using Voice over IP (IP telephony).

> and nowhere near as easily available. Please don't assume that DSL is
universally available. It's not. It's months and years away for people who
don't live in places like NYC, Chicago, SF, etc.

        Not quite: xDSL seems to pop up within 2 weeks of cable modem access -
Especially in BellAtlantic service areas.

>
>Tom
>
>--
>tom@visualwave.com
>--

        Yours truly,
        Daniel L. Schwartz,
        Electrical Engineer.

        Dan's MacOS Consulting
        239 Great Road
        Maple Shade, NJ 08052-3044

        Voice: 856-642-7666 <-- Note new area code (was 609)
        Fax: 413-451-4391

 -----------------------------------------------------------------

        THERE ARE NO ATTACHMENTS TO THIS MESSAGE, SO IF ONE
     APPEARS WITH IT, DO NOT OPEN OR DOWNLOAD IT!
        <mailto:expresso@snip.net>
         
        ALTERNATE: <mailto:expresso@workmail.com>

                Webmaster for <http://www.Faulknerstudios.com>,
                                        <http://www.BrakeAndGo.com>

                **Your UltraBac Solution Source**

-> NEW! Sign up for the Mac-NT Mailing list at:
 <http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/Mac-NT>

 -----------------------------------------------------------------

* Windows-MacOS Cooperation List *

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Fri Oct 01 1999 - 06:18:03 PDT