Networking

A new report from cybersecurity company Intsights has spotlighted the thriving market on the dark web for network access that nets cybercriminals thousands of dollars.

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Paul Prudhomme, cyber threat intelligence advisor at IntSights, examined network access sales on underground Russian and English-language forums before compiling a study on why criminals sell their network access and how criminals transfer their network access to buyers.  More than 37% of all victims in a sample of the data were based in North America while there was an average price of $9,640 and a median price of $3,000. The study notes that the kind of access being offered continues to be used in ransomware attacks across the world. Dark web forums are enabling a decentralized system where less-skilled cybercriminals can rely on each other for different tasks, allowing most ransomware operators to simply buy access from others, according to Prudhomme.  The network access on offer ranges from the credentials of system administrators to remote access into a network. With millions still working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sale of network access has increased significantly over the last 18 months. Remote access is generally through RDP and VPNs.  In dark web forums and marketplaces, cybercriminals share access to a slate of malware, malicious tools, illicit infrastructure, and compromised data, accounts, and payment card details. Many of the most sophisticated forums and marketplaces are in Russian but there are also many English, Spanish, Portuguese and German-language forums.  Cybercriminals rarely have a full team of attackers experienced in each stage of an attack, making dark web forums ideal as they either sell what they’ve already stolen or search for malware payloads, hosting infrastructure and access to compromised networks.

“This factor is particularly applicable to compromises of specialized environments, such as those with operational technology (OT), industrial control systems (ICS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, or other less common or less conventional technology that may be unfamiliar to many attackers,” Prudhomme explained.  At times, attackers realize they have broken into a network with no data that can be stolen or sold and decide to sell access to ransomware groups. The posts offering compromised network access include the victim, the form and level of access for sale, as well as the pricing and other transaction details. Sometimes the victims are identified by location, industry or sector and revenue information is often included.  The descriptions may also include the number and types of machines on it or the types of files and data that it contains. Often hackers will explicitly mention something as a potential ransomware target in ads.  Some access is sold as an auction while others are negotiated over time.  The most common features of these sales are RDP credentials and VPN credentials, both of which are being used considerably more due to the pandemic. Web shells are also used as persistence mechanisms that can be transferred.  “Elevated privileges are a common feature of these sales, but not a universal one. Many types of malware, including ransomware, need elevated privileges in order to run,” Prudhomme said.  “Higher privileges can also enable attackers to create their own accounts or take other measures to use as additional persistence mechanisms, providing redundancy for the access that they purchased. Domain administrator credentials are a common component of these sales, in conjunction with a form of remote access. Some forms of remote access for sale may also come with their own elevated privileges.” Included in the study is a quantitative and qualitative analysis of a sample of 46 sales of network access on underground forums covered in alerts provided to IntSights customers from September 2019 to May 2021. Among this selection, seven individuals accounted for more than half of the access points for sale, representing the larger trend of concentrated attacks by vendor-specific hackers.  Of the 46 samples, 40 named the location of victim organizations and nearly 40% were in the US or Canada.  Ten of the 46 victims were in the telecommunications industry while three other industries — financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, and energy and industrials — tied for second place.  “Despite the relatively small number of retail and hospitality victims, the second-most expensive offering in this sample, with an asking price of approximately $66,000 USD worth of Bitcoin at the time, was for access to an organization supporting hundreds of retail and hospitality businesses,” Prudhomme explained.  “The victim was a third-party operator of customer loyalty and rewards programs. The seller highlighted the various ways in which a buyer could monetize this access, including: review and manipulation of source code; access to the accounts and points of loyalty program members; and spam and phishing attacks, including ransomware campaigns against loyalty program members via legitimate communication channels.”  Prudhomme noted that cybercriminals often go after airline frequent flier programs and similar customer loyalty programs because of the general lack of anti-fraud measures. While $9,640 was the average price, IntSights researchers said most prices hovered around $3,000. Just ten of the prices surpassed $10,000 and most were for access to telecommunications or technology companies. Many offers were in the hundreds and the lowest offer was $240 for access to a healthcare company in Colombia.  The peak seen in the study was $95,000 for access to a large telecommunications service provider in Asia with over $1 billion in revenue.  The researchers urge organizations to patch systems, enable MFA and take other measures to close off potential access points.  “The amount of time that it takes to sell network access may give security teams more time to detect a breach before a buyer monetizes it or does anything else with it that could cause significant harm,” the report said.  “The amount of time needed to find a buyer varies considerably, ranging from hours to months, but a time frame of days or weeks is more typical. If security teams discover an intruder who has had access for a significant period of time but has not yet begun to monetize it, e.g., by exfiltrating profitable files or deploying ransomware, then that delay could indicate that the initial intruder is still waiting for a buyer.” More

Networking hardware giant Netgear has announced a slate of new cybersecurity and privacy-focused features for one of its most popular products.The Netgear Armor security product, which is built into most routers like Orbi and Nighthawk, will now come with new threat detection features designed specifically for smart appliances. The new features include sensitive data protection — which blocks attempts to send login information, banking data, social security numbers and moreover encrypted networks — as well as an anomaly detection tool that uses machine learning algorithms to monitor how your connected devices usually operate. The system blocks any activity that is considered “out of the ordinary.”Netgear Armor will also try to shield connected smart devices from bots and brute force attacks while also stopping denial-of-service attacks and protecting networks against malicious intrusions through exploits. Netgear Armor is available to customers who have certain Wi-Fi 6 routers, and the company said it planned to roll out the tools to a wider audience in the coming weeks. Right now, Netgear Armor is free for 30 days and then costs $99.99 for a yearly subscription. David Henry, president of connected home products and services at Netgear, explained that it could be overwhelming for people to know what to do to keep themselves and their information safe with the explosion of connected devices in the home. Henry said the company added the features after realizing “that a new type of security solution was needed.”

There are an array of threats facing smart TVs, smart thermostats, light switches, home theater systems, security cameras, game consoles, smart speakers, tablets, smartphones and other smart home gadgets.The company cited a report from Bitdefender that found the number of vulnerabilities in smart TVs and cameras grew precipitously between 2019 and 2021. Netgear said in a statement that the security system is built into the router and eliminates “the need and cost for multiple security subscriptions or software.” The company also offers a cybersecurity program for devices and computers along with the subscription.  More

South Korean telco KT saw operating income jump 38.5% from the year prior during its second-quarter thanks to high demand for 5G and content services. On Tuesday, the company said it recorded 6 trillion won in sales, and 476 billion won in operating income during the second quarter. It is an increase of 2.6% and 38.5% respectively from the previous year. KT said it saw growth across the board with its content and 5G services performing especially well during the quarter. Its IPTV service saw sales increase 14.5% from the previous year. The telco credited the growth to stay-at-home culture and homeschooling trend caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. KT also saw its average revenue per subscriber increase 3% compared to the previous year during the quarter. The telco said this was from its increasing number of 5G subscribers. As of the second quarter, the company had accumulated 5.01 million 5G subscribers, it said. Its data centre and cloud services for enterprises also performed relatively well, seeing a 6.2% sales increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, compatriot telco LG Uplus last week also reported year-on-year growth during the second quarter.

The company posted 3.34 trillion won in sales and 268 billion won in operating income, an increase of 2.2% and 12%, respectively, from the previous year. LG Uplus also credited its 5G services for the uptick. Its total number of 5G subscribers as of the end of the second quarter was 3.72 million, an increase of 108% from the previous year. The telco said it expected to beat its annual target of 4.5 million 5G subscribers before year-end. Its solutions for enterprises, such as smart factories, saw a 34.3% year-on-year sales increase during the quarter, LG Uplus added. Meanwhile, last month, KT launched its 5G standalone service, becoming the first carrier in the country to offer mobile services wholly on 5G networks. South Korea is planning to allocate more 5G spectrum in November to promote 5G-related services. More from Korea More

Consumers are spoiled for choices in many areas, including when trying to choose the best cable internet provider. However, because cable internet is more popular than satellite internet, customers also enjoy lower starting prices. Furthermore, cable internet is easily accessible, meaning faster download speeds and higher data caps.To narrow down the best cable and internet, we considered criteria such as customer service, fastest speeds, data caps and pricing, although in most cases, prices will be based on where you live and current deals.Charter SpectrumComcast XfinityMediacomCox Comm.Best forNo data capsFastest speedsPackage customizationPC gamersReviews.com Sore3.2/53.6/53.4/53.4/5Data capUnlimited1.2TB200GB – 6TB1TBDownload SpeedsUp to 940MbpsUp to 2000MbpsUp to 1000MbpsUp to 940MbpsJ.D. Power Customer Satisfaction*712/1000730/1000670/1000723/1000ACSI score63/10066/10059/10061/100Information accurate as of March 2021*J.D. Power’s 2020 Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study average rating for all regions. Based on a 1000-point scale.

Best for no data caps

Charter Spectrum

Reviews score: 3.2 | Starting price: $49.99/month | Download speed: 940Mbps | ASCI score: 63/ 100 |Charter Spectrum is our only top pick to offer no data caps. Mediacom comes close to offering a deal as generous with data caps that reach 6000 GB — but internet junkies and workaholics will rejoice in an unlimited supply of uploading, downloading, and streaming.Pros:No data caps$500 contract buyoutLow installation and rental costsCons:Average customer serviceLower ASCI ScoreFewer plans than competitorsPlans & pricing:Spectrum Internet: $49.99/mo.Spectrum Internet Ultra: $69.99/mo.Spectrum Internet Gig: $109.99/moFeatures:No contracts$25 off the first year$5/month equipment rental

Best for fastest speeds

Xfinity

Reviews score: 3.6 | Starting price: $49.99/month | Download speed: 2000Mbps | ASCI score: 66/100 |Xfinity by Comcast customers can opt for the highest download speeds available — up to 2000Mbps — with its new and innovative Gigabit Pro internet plans. But be prepared to pay a pretty penny for those speeds.Pros:Wide range of plansImproving ASCI score and higher customer satisfaction ratingUp to 2000MbpsCons:1.2TB data cap$10 overage penaltyEarly termination feesPlans & pricing:Performance Starter: $54.95/mo.Performance Internet: $80.95/mo.Performance Pro: $49.99/mo. — then $95.95Blast! Internet: $69.99/mo. — then $100.95Extreme Pro: $79.99/mo.– then $105.95Gigabit: $89.99/mo. — then $110.95Gigabit Pro: $299.95/mo.Features: No terms, 1-year, or 2-year contracts.$10 automatic payment discount available

Best for package customization

Mediacom

Reviews score: 3.4 | Starting price: $19.99/month | Download speed: 1000Mbps | ASCI score: 59/100 | Bundling your TV and internet service starts at just $49.99 per month in most locations. The base plan comes with 60Mbps and 50+ channels, though Mediacom’s packages allow for easy customization.Pros:Higher than average speedLow starting priceHigh data caps 6TBCons:Poor customer service ratingsLower than average ASCI scoreOverage penalties applyPlans & pricing:Access Internet 60: $19.99/mo. — then $29.99Internet 60: $39.99/mo. — then $69.99Internet 100: $49.99/mo. — then $79.99Internet 200: $59.99/mo. — then $99.99Internet 500: $69.99/mo. — then $119.99Internet 1 Gig: $79.99/mo. — then $139.99 Features:90-day satisfaction guaranteeInternet security included$10/month modem fee

Best for gamers

Cox Communications Internet

Review score: 3.4 | Starting price: $29.99/month | Download speed: 940Mbps | ASCI score: 61/100 |With Cox Communication’s Elite Gamer connections, PC users can experience faster connections to game servers and less lag during game sessions — an absolute boon for playing your favorite ranked games.Pros:No data caps$500 contract buyoutLow installation and rental costsCons:High customer service ratingLower ASCI scoreOnly average download speedPlans & pricing:Internet Starter 10: $29.99/mo. — then $44.99Internet Essential 50: $39.99/mo. — then $65.99StraightUp Internet (Prepaid): $50/mo.Internet Preferred 150: $59.99/mo. — then $83.99Internet Ultimate 500: $79.99/mo. — then $99.99Gigablast: $99.99/mo. — then $119.99Features:No contracts$12/month Wi-Fi modem rental12-month contracts$6.99/month Gamer Elite connection for faster server-based play

What Is Cable Internet and How Is it Different?Cable internet is an internet service that is accessed similarly to your cable television. It’s delivered via coaxial cables, the same ones that allow you to watch cable TV. Because of the way the cables are set up, multiple homes or even an entire neighborhood can use the same cables to access the internet and watch TV. This is a much more affordable and available option than fiber or satellite internet.Cable internet is widely accessible, can come with cable TV bundles, and offers a range of speeds. However, there is a downside. Unfortunately, because all of these homes would share bandwidth, when various households connect simultaneously, that can result in the network being bottlenecked and slow internet speeds.How to find the right internet provider for youFind your local providersAccording to the FCC’s Broadband Progress Report, 70% of Americans have fewer than three provider options (and that’s counting all internet types). Satellite internet is available nationwide and is usually one of those options. DSL and cable have pretty varied availability based on state, and fiber-optic internet is the rarest. Your first step should be checking which providers service your home. Our tool above can help you find the providers available in your ZIP code.Audit your speed needs

When it comes time to purchase your internet plan, you’ll need to know how much speed your household needs. Internet service is sold in speed-based packages, measured in Mbps (megabits per second). Typically, cable internet packages range between 10 Mbps and 100Mbps and accommodate HD video streaming, online gaming, and file downloading. If you only use the internet to check email or social media and you don’t want to pay for excess speed, DSL or satellite internet might be best for you. Keep in mind; these slower speeds usually come at a poorer value.Determining your needs depends on your usage habits. A couple of things play into usage demands, including the number of connected devices and the type of internet activity. Internet speed works kind of like a traffic highway: The more people using it, the slower you’ll have to go. High-demand usage like video conferencing or real-time gaming requires higher speeds and more monthly data.How to know how much internet you need How much internet you need depends on how much you plan to use. Here’s a breakdown of internet usage by Megabits per second (Mbps) and the number of devices connected to the internet.Number of DevicesLight UseModerate UseHigh UseVery High Use1 – 35 – 10Mbps15Mbps25Mbps50Mbps4 – 815Mbps25Mbps50Mbps100Mbps8 – 1025Mbps50Mbps100Mbps150Mbps10+50Mbps100Mbps150Mbps200+ Mbps

How do you determine your data requirements?

Internet data works similarly to your phone data plans in that you receive a certain allotment of gigabytes (GB) to “spend” over the course of a month based on your online activity. Most cable internet companies implement data caps starting at 250GB. For some context, 1GB is needed for about one hour of Netflix SD streaming and 3GB per hour for HD streaming. If you’re just using the internet for light emailing and web browsing, you can stay near 50GB per month. Heavy users should look for a plan with around 500GB of data or more. If you happen to go over your data limit, providers will issue a warning and eventually charge a fee for more data.

What’s the difference between fiber and cable internet?

Though fiber-optic internet is run with literal cables, it’s quite different from a traditional cable internet. Fiber transmits the internet through strands of glass rather than copper; as such, it’s completely unaffected by environmental conditions, and it multiplies typical internet speeds.Fiber providers are few and far between, with minimal availability. Traditional cable providers like Comcast are beginning to introduce fiber service, but it has a long way to go before reaching the same nationwide availability as other internet types.

What is the difference between a modem and router?

 Simply put: The modem acts as a bridge between your home and your internet service provider by establishing a connection to the internet. The router serves to connect the internet/WiFi to your devices by broadcasting a WiFi connection throughout your home. Some modems and routers have merged into one device — a good way to free up space and reduce clutter.

MethodologyWe evaluated internet service providers based on customer satisfaction, data caps, download speed, plans, and customer support to determine Reviews.com scores and create our best internet service provider reviews. To compare internet service providers with other brands across the board, we calculate each Reviews.com score based on the following:Customer Satisfaction: Reviews.com used J.D. Power’s 2020 Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction Study to calculate an average rating of internet providers across all applicable regions.Top Download Speeds: We awarded higher scores to internet providers with higher download speeds.Number of Plans: Internet providers with more plan options to choose from scored higher in our methodology.Data Caps: No one wants to be left without internet for the rest of the month, so we awarded internet providers with higher scores if they had high or no data caps. Customer Support: We reviewed and compared the number of channels that customers could reach each provider’s customer support representatives. The more channels of contact available, the higher the score. More

Connecting to the internet has never been easier: Whether you’re chatting in coffee shops or setting up smart smoke detectors, there’s information uploading to the internet everywhere. But there are more options than ever, which can make it tricky to decide which technology is best for you. We’re going to walk you through all the major internet connection types and how you might choose your best. A brief breakdown of your options

Each kind of internet connection is defined by its technology — how the connection is uploading and downloading internet information. DSL: Short for “digital subscriber line,” DSL uses existing telephone wires to send data between your computer and the internet. Information is transmitted on a different frequency than voice calls. DSL is widely available and connects directly from the ISP to your home. Cable: Data is transmitted via electricity through coaxial cables built out in neighborhoods for internet or cable TV. Widespread availability, except for more rural and secluded areas.Satellite: Your computer sends information through your dish up to a satellite orbiting the planet, and that satellite communicates to network operations centers to acquire the data you requested.Cellular: Mobile broadband that lets you connect to the internet wireless anywhere via cell phone towers, using your mobile device or hot-spotting to other devices. Fiber-optic: Similar to cable, but it uses small strands of glass to transmit the information as light. Minimal availability and costly to build out — mostly accessible in large cities.

“Fiber’s growth potential is theoretically limitless, which no other physical medium can claim…In an ideal world, all internet connections would be fiber.” – Trevor Textor, Project Manager, Rural IT & Connectivity Consultant.Speed is a defining factorFor consumers, the most obvious difference between these connection types will be speed. Each technology offers a different range of connection speeds, which will affect the time it takes to upload, download, stream, and browse. DSL is typically the slowest internet, offering customers choices between 1.5Mbps, 3Mbps, 5Mbps, 7Mbps, 12Mbps, 24Mbps, and (rarely) 40Mbps. Considering the FCC reported that the median household internet speed is 72Mbps, DSL options cater to the minority of light internet users. These speeds will be enough to do some simple web browsing and sending emails — if you have a few people streaming video at once, you will experience loading issues. With satellite internet, you won’t have speed options when purchasing. You’ll choose a package based on data usage instead. The satellite technology is limited to just one speed: 25Mbps with HughesNet and 12Mbps with Viasat. For smaller households and moderate internet use, this may be a fine option. Cable internet is likely the best option for most people. It’s the most versatile internet connection type, offering speeds from 10Mbps to 200Mbps and beyond. And cable internet providers usually offer the option to bundle with other services like TV too.Fiber is the fastest internet connection available right now and works similarly to cable. If you’re one of the lucky few who have access to fiber-optic internet, you can find speeds as fast as 1000 Mbps. Paired with its higher-quality connection, fiber-optic is best for households that consistently have multiple people streaming video, playing games, working from home, or downloading files. Cellular internet connections are typically just for mobile use, and 4G LTE is the fastest available at the time. It translates to about 50+ Mbps at peak speed but can be as slow as 5Mbps. The next iteration of this technology, 5G, could replace your home internet with speeds as fast as fiber. Reliability is important tooJust because an internet provider advertises certain speeds doesn’t mean it guarantees those speeds. There are a lot of factors that can influence the connection strength — high-traffic times in your neighborhood, weather, router type, etc. If an internet connection isn’t particularly reliable, you won’t consistently get the speeds you pay for.The FCC found DSL internet was the least reliable at delivering advertised speeds to its customers, with less than 10% of Cincinnati Bell and Hawaiian Telcom customers getting advertised speeds (although other DSL providers, like Verizon and AT&T, showed more consistent performance). However, around 80% of cable and fiber-optic internet customers received 95% or more of advertised speeds, with Charter (Spectrum) cable and Verizon fiber showing the best reliability.
FCC
×percentage-of-panelists-580×1024.jpgWhat’s best for you?Your first step is to look at the providers in your area and discover if they serve your address. Your options may be limited — building out service lines is expensive, and providers tend to avoid building where other providers are already offering service. You can ask neighbors who they get their internet from or simply plug your address in online to start your search. Satellite internet options, like HughesNet, will be available to almost everybody. If you happen to have a few options, you’ll want to compare their plans. To know which plan fits you best, assess your speed needs. You’ll need to consider the number of people using the internet in your household, the number of devices connecting (everything from your computer to your smart hub), and survey your household’s typical internet activity (streaming is more demanding than emailing, for example). After years of internet research and consulting network experts, we’ve built a guide to help you gauge the internet speed that will best fit your household. Determine where you are on the range of light use to very heavy use, then match that to the number of connected devices in your home.Light UseModerate UseHeavy UseVery Heavy Use1-3 devices5-10 Mbps15 Mbps25 Mbps50 Mbps4-8 devices15 Mbps25 Mbps50 Mbps100 Mbps8-10 devices25 Mbps50 Mbps100 Mbps150 Mbps10+ devices50 Mbps100 Mbps150 Mbps200+ MbpsFrom there, you should compare price, fees, and overall value. If you have more questions, check out our detailed guide to internet providers. More

Today, most of us live, work, fall in love, and buy our goods over the web. To us, it’s as natural as breathing. It wasn’t always like that. In 1989 Tim Berners-Lee came up with his own take on creating a unifying structure for linking information across different computers. He called it, “Information Management: A Proposal.” Later, Berners-Lee would call it the World Wide Web. It wasn’t a new idea, you can trace it back to Vannevar Bush in 1945, who described a Memex: A desk, which would let users search microfilms to display documents from a library via trails of linked pages. Sound familiar? It should. 

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Others in the 1960s such as Ted Nelson and Douglas Engelbart would further the idea. But, in August 1991, Berners-Lee would take the theory into a working system: The World Wide Web. The world would never be the same. In 1989, the internet was still largely used by researchers, academicians, and the military. By 1993, it was well on its way to being the internet you know. Two developments made this happen: The web and the far more obscure Commercial Internet Exchange (CIX). Here’s how it happened.In the late 80s and early 90s, the internet had evolved from the military ARPANet into a public network for the military, scientists, researchers, and academics. It was available if you were at the right school or worked at the right job, but most people had no access to it. Even when you could use the early internet, you had to use ASCII-based applications like pine and elm for email and Unix command line/shell programs like ftp and Archie for finding and sharing files. The most advanced tool we had was Gopher, a Yahoo-like guide to internet resources. After Berners-Lee invented the web, everything changed.No one saw the revolution at first. The web, which was running on NeXTStations — Steve Job designed Unix workstations that would prove to be the forefathers of today’s Macs — was only available to a few people in techie internet circles. It was, after all, created to help scientists at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, share search, not share cat pictures. That came later. It wasn’t until early 1993 that the public learned about the web from some guy named Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols. Looking back, I didn’t quite get it either.

While I was the first writer to describe the web to a mass audience, I focused on WAIS. WAIS was one of the first of what we now call public search engines. While there had been many other search engines before it — starting with NASA RECON, Dialog, and OCLC — these weren’t publicly available and confined themselves to a relatively narrow data set. WAIS was the first to make most public internet resources searchable.WAIS was really Google’s ancestor. But, without the web, search engines would still be limited to restricted areas of knowledge. At the same time, people were becoming more and more interested in using the internet for more than just research. Usenet, a primitive social network of many discussion groups, whetted people’s appetite for socializing and doing business on the net. Unfortunately, you couldn’t even sell your used car on the net, never mind run a company like Amazon. Yes, believe it or not, before today’s hyper-commercialized internet appeared where you can barely find a single webpage without advertisements or cookies, in the early 90s you couldn’t do anything related to business on the net. That would change with CIX.Early Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as IBM, Merit Network, and MCI started to provide business services over national and regional networks. To save money and expand their reach, in 1990 they formed the nonprofit Advanced Network Services (ANS), which created the first commercial internet backbone, ANSNET. This same wide-area network was also used by NSFNET; part of the older non-commercial internet was running on the same cables and routers.ANSNET did more than increase the early internet’s backbone speed from T1’s blazingly fast 1.544 megabits per second to T3’s then-amazing 44.736 Mbps. It was a long time ago. In 1993, the NSF also agreed to let the trio of pioneering internet companies form ANS CO+RE Systems, a for-profit corporation that sold corporate internet access — as long as they didn’t use the net for advertising. Oh, how things have changed!
This agreement opened Pandora’s box. Now, everyone wanted to use the rapidly expanding network, as data jumped from business to nonprofit networks and back again. To hash out these issues, a public mailing list, com-priv, was set up on an early internet service provider, PSI Network (PSINet). From these conversations, three ISPs that were not part of ANSNET (CERFNET, PSINet, and UUNET), formed their own network of networks: the Commercial Internet Exchange (CIX). From these conversations, three ISPs that were not part of ANSNET (CERFNET, PSINet, and UUNET), formed their own network of networks: CIX.But, ANSNET and CIX couldn’t agree on sharing traffic. This annoyed everyone on the early internet who couldn’t even easily send emails to one another. In 1992, Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development and its killer-app Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet, became chairman of CIX. He got the two sides to agree to a “great compromise.” In the agreement, ANS and CIX agreed to share traffic across each other’s networks. As Kapor said then, “In taking this significant step, we enable greater freedom from content restrictions on the Internet.” Does that remind you of net neutrality? It should. This is where it starts. After they made peace, ISPs sprang up throughout the world, offering internet access at the unheard speed of 28.8 kilobits per second (Kbps). As I said, it was a long time ago.  Now all that was needed was an easy-to-use program that would let users search and play and work with what they found on the internet. People were already used to using online services such as AOL and CompuServe.That’s where the web browser comes in.The first popular graphical web browser came from the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Mosaic, created by Marc Andreessen and Eric Bina, wasn’t the first graphical web browser. ViolaWWW, a Unix browser, takes that honor, while Cello was the first Windows graphical web browser. Mosaic, however, was the first browser to enable you to see images within pages. Earlier browsers could only show images as separate files. It was no contest: Mosaic would dominate the first browser war.Today, 30-years later, many of you can’t even imagine a world without the web. You think of it in terms of Facebook, Twitter, funny cat photos, memes, Netflix, and World of Warcraft. But without the web’s technology and CIX’s commercializing of the net, none of this would exist.Related Stories: More

The very first web browsers, such as Lynx, were character-based applications without a graphical user interface to be seen. It may look hopelessly primitive today, but in their time from 1991 to 1993, they were great. Unlike most of the other early browsers, Lynx, introduced in 1992, has been maintained. Unix and Linux shell users still use it today. More

We’ve spent years reviewing the largest internet providers and vetting AT&T and Xfinity individually. Now we’re comparing their features directly. If both providers are available to you, you’ll need to consider the speeds you want, your budget, whether to bundle services or not and how much you value customer service.If you’re looking for a budget-friendly plan, Xfinity’s packages currently start about $10 cheaper per month than AT&T. Still, when you bundle with AT&T’s renowned DIRECTV service, fees are waived, and the promotional value increases. AT&T also excels at customer service, though Xfinity isn’t too far behind. We recommend reflecting on which features you value most as we dive into a detailed comparison.AT&T vs Xfinity overviewAT&TXfinityACSI rating69/10061/100Bundles withSatellite TV, PhoneCable TV, Phone, Home Security# of states serviced2139Speed range5Mbps – 1000Mbps15Mbps – 2000MbpsInternet typeDSL, FiberCableData cap1TB1TBPrice range$50 – $90$25 – $70Contract length1 yearMonth-to-month, 1 year, 2 yearsCustomer serviceOne of the biggest pain points of internet service is customer service. Billing discrepancies, miscommunications, endless phone trees, price hikes, and unreliable connections all plague the industry. To compare providers on this aspect, we analyzed customer satisfaction ratings from J.D. Power and the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). A comparably well-rated provider is more likely to appease concerns, offer fair pricing, and promptly solve technical issues.AT&T often ranks well for its customer service. AT&T rates second place with a 69/100 from the ACSI (just behind Verizon’s 70/100). The company also won the J.D. Power award for customer service in the East and South regions with a 5/5. Although everyone’s experience can vary, with AT&T, you have a much better chance of experiencing smooth interactions and accurate billing.While Xfinity by Comcast doesn’t rate quite as well as AT&T, its customer service isn’t as bad as you’d think. The company has earned itself a pretty public reputation for poor customer service — likely attributed to visibility (it’s widely available) and a few public incidents. Xfinity’s customer service scores from the ACSI have steadily improved each year. In 2019, they scored 61/100, placing them in fourth of the eleven nationwide providers ranked. Comcast was actually the J.D. Power award recipient for customer satisfaction in the North Central region, with a 5/5 overall. Though your experience may not be as seamless as it might be with AT&T, Xfinity is far from the worst internet service provider.Speed packagesAT&TXfinitySpeed ranges·  15Mbps·  10Mbps·  118Mbps·  125Mbps·  150Mbps·  1100Mbps·  1100Mbps (fiber)·  1300Mbps (fiber)·  11000Mbps (fiber)·  25Mbps·  75Mbps·  100Mbps·  175Mbps·  200Mbps·  275Mbps·  300Mbps·  500Mbps·  600Mbps·  1000MbpsThe actual speeds and plans available to you will vary depending on your address. One neighborhood could only have access to one provider and two speeds plans, while another might have three providers to choose from and six speeds plans from each.AT&T is available in 21 states and has both DSL and fiber-optic internet services, although both are rarely available in the same area. AT&T’s fiber service is mostly found in dense urban areas, while DSL reaches rural neighborhoods. Its fiber internet typically comes in three speeds, 100Mbps, 300Mbps or 1000Mbps, and is best suited to intense internet users. If AT&T DSL service is available to your home, there are generally a wide variety of potential speed options. You could be offered anywhere from 5Mbps to 100Mbps, a speed sufficient for casual internet use. All of AT&T’s plans, regardless of the speed, usually start at $50 per month. Although the exact offerings are pretty varied depending on location, we appreciate that AT&T can accommodate a wide range of internet users.

Xfinity by Comcast offers cable internet service to 39 states. Cable internet is more widely available than fiber and more reliable than DSL. In the FCC’s 2018 Fixed Broadband Report, Xfinity consistently delivered customers faster speeds than advertised. Advertised plans range from 25Mbps to 1000Mbps, starting at around $40 per month (a bit cheaper than AT&T’s starting rate). You also have a few different contract options with Xfinity — month-to-month (for a slightly higher monthly rate), 1 year, and 2 years. Xfinity’s internet plans are reliable, widely available, flexible, and budget-friendly.Bundling optionsConsidering the quality of a provider’s bundling options is important for those who want more than just internet service. Getting TV, internet, and phone service from the same provider will save you money and be simpler to manage.Bundling your services with AT&T can come with a lot of perks. Popular bundling promotions can help lower your combined monthly fees, reduce or even eliminate initial setup or installation charges, and in some cases, even a visa gift card. Even without the promotional savings, AT&T’s satellite TV service, DIRECTV, is a great option. In our review of TV providers, DIRECTV was a clear fan favorite. DIRECTV has six-channel packages to choose from, impressive sports programming, and a powerful DVR.With Xfinity, you can bundle your internet and TV services with home security. In our review of Xfinity’s home security, we like how easy it was to customize your starting equipment package and the seamless integration with Xfinity’s other services. You can control the automation and security system from your TV with the remote, for example. Though not as impressive as DIRECTV, Xfinity’s TV service is pretty satisfactory. You’ll have plenty of channel packages to choose from and a perfectly standard DVR service.If you…Then it would be best if you went with:Here’s why:Need fast and reliable speeds…XfinityXfinity recently bumped up all speed tiers, and SpeedTest rated Xfinity by Comcast the Fastest fixed Internet Service Provider in 2018.Are a TV junkie…AT&TIf the quality of your TV service is a bigger priority than internet service, AT&T is for you. Its DIRECTV service is one of our favorite TV providers. Bundling with AT&T also comes with extensive promotional perks.Want a home security system…XfinityXfinity is one of the only internet providers that lets you bundle your service with a home security system — perfect for seamless integration into your home.Value customer service…AT&TAT&T is rarely beat in customer satisfaction ranking from the ACSI and J.D. Power. You’re most likely to experience accurate billing, prompt resolutions and consistent service with AT&T.How to compare internet companiesCheck availabilityYour very first step when searching for an internet provider is to find which ones actually service your address. Chances are you’ll have few options — the Institute for Local Self-Reliance reported that 39% have access to only one broadband provider. There’s no use in comparing internet companies that aren’t available to your address. To find the providers that service your home, you can ask your neighbors, input your address directly into popular provider’s sites, and use online resources like Allconnect.Determine the speeds you needOnce you know which providers are options, you’ll need to compare the plans they offer. Internet plans are based on the speed and bandwidth you’ll purchase. To figure out how much speed your home needs, you’ll need to consider the demand of your home’s internet activity and the number of devices connecting to the internet (everything from computers to smart thermostats). We’ve consulted network experts, FCC reports, and online guides to building a chart that should help you find a potential baseline speed.Light UseModerate UseHigh UseVery High Use1 – 3 devices5 – 10Mbps15Mbps25Mbps50Mbps4 – 8 devices15Mbps25Mbps50Mbps100Mbps8 – 10 devices25Mbps50Mbps100Mbps150Mbps10+ devices50Mbps100Mbps150Mbps200+ MbpsLight use: emails, web browsing, social media, SD video streamingModerate use: music streaming, occasional online gaming, streaming HD video on one or two devices.High use: Multiple devices streaming HD video simultaneously, multiplayer gaming, video conferencing.Very high use: Multiple devices streaming HD or 4K video simultaneously, large file downloading, multiplayer gaming, video conferencing.Vet for valuePrice alone won’t dictate the best deal. There are a few factors that will influence the value of an internet package. Installation and equipment fees, post-contract price hikes, and restrictive contracts can all influence how much you’ll actually pay. Enticing promotional offers and bundling opportunities should be considered too. Essentially, we recommend you take your time shopping around and compare the smaller details before signing up.

Who is the best internet service provider?

Most internet providers are actually pretty similar to each other in speed options, prices, and perks. The best ISP for you will depend on what features you prioritize. If you care more about customer service than price, for example, AT&T is probably a better fit than Xfinity. Check out our review of the best internet providers for a comprehensive comparison of the most popular providers.

What type of internet connection is best?

There are a few different kinds of technology that can connect you to the internet. They each have different strengths. Fiber-optic internet uses glass cables to transmit data; it’s super fast and reliable but expensive to build out (and thus not widely available). Cable internet is the most popular type of internet and usually comes at a fair price for solid speeds. DSL internet uses existing telephone wires, so it has great availability.However, it’s also pretty unreliable and may not deliver the speeds you pay for. Satellite internet is best for remote locations where other internet types can’t access — it comes in only one speed and is usually more pricey.

What internet speed is best for gaming?

Online gaming demands a more advanced internet connection. Fiber-optic internet is likely best if available in your area because it has matching upload and download speeds for sending and receiving data without lag. You’ll also want to look for a provider with generous data caps. We’ve built a full guide and digital calculator to help you find the best internet package for your gaming hobby. More