Life in the fast lane.

The lowdown on high-speed Internet access

Broadband service, DSL, cable modems. You've probably heard these terms in association with Internet access, but exactly what technologies do they offer, and how can they benefit you?

Here are some "plain English" definitions to help you when you're ready to take the plunge:

Broadband -- Broadband technology could be considered as the doorway to the world of Internet services delivered at very fast speeds. These services are provided via a pipeline that consists of cable or telephone lines. Broadband uses digital and fiber-optic technology to compress large amounts of voice, video and data information. Thus, more information is transported than with a regular cable, telephone or wireless connection.

DSL -- Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) uses the same copper wires that carry voice traffic to your telephone to carry high-speed data. Your PG's connection to the DSL network is usually done through a modem. The modem digitally divides your telephone line into three channels: One handles telephone traffic, another handles upstream data from your computer to the Internet and the third handles downstream data traffic from the Internet to your computer. It doesn't tie up your telephone while you're online as a dial-up service does. And it won't interfere with caller ID, call waiting or other telephone features. There are several types of DSL services available, offering a variety of upstream and downstream data transmission rates. DSL service can deliver data from 6 to 125 times faster than the standard dial-up connection's speed of 28.8 or 56 kbps. DSL also provides an "always on" connection. What that means is that, once you've turned on your computer and clicked on your DSL connection to the Internet, the link stays active as long as your computer is on. There is no need to dial a telephone number and wait for your modem to connect you to the Internet.

Cable modems -- Cable modems are devices that provide a broadband Internet connection using a cable TV network. A separate channel is assigned for two-way exchange of data. Before this type of service can be provided, the cable operator has to upgrade its network with digital and fiber-optic technologies. Most cable systems provide speeds about 20 times faster than a 56.6 kbps dial-tip connection. However, you can experience a slowdown in speeds due to congestion on the cable connection. You are actually sharing that connection with others in your vicinity. Thus, the more people who use the connection, the slower the transmission rate. A cable modem also provides an "always on" connection. Once you've turned on your computer and clicked on your connection to the Internet, the link is active as long as the computer is on. And, a cable modem will not interfere with your TV set because it has its own separate channel for its data transmissions.

Security -- There are security issues that you should be aware of with both DSL and cable modems. Any connection to the Internet, especially "always-on," carries a risk that a hacker could infiltrate your computer. Someone could read, delete or alter files, as well as send e-mail with your name on it. There are some precautions that you can take:

* If you have a Microsoft operating system, be sure to turn off the file-sharing function.

* Get a good anti-virus program and do a complete scan of your computer each week.

* Don't open an e-mail attachment or run a program without first running a virus scan.

As an additional precaution, you may even consider getting a firewall. It monitors your Internet connection and refuses to let anything suspicious into your computer. There are a variety of different types of firewalls available, either hardware components or software programs that can even be downloaded from the Internet.

Gwen Ferguson is an applications systems specialist at the Detroit Regional Chamber.