| As a computer technician I encounter many | | | | them as, AOL, NetZero, EarthLink, PeoplePC, AT&T, |
| misconceptions about computers. Internet provider | | | | Netscape... and the list goes on. AOL being the ring |
| software is one that is often misunderstood. Internet | | | | leader and takes control of your computer beyond the |
| service providers often give customers the false | | | | extreme to the point of being criminal. All of these |
| impression that their software is necessary to connect | | | | service providers prefer to hijack the Internet Explorer |
| to the internet. If you are one of these folks, you may | | | | browser because all Windows users have it installed |
| be asking yourself what other impressions your cheap | | | | and it is easy to build software for. But most can also |
| Internet service provider is giving you.Do I need | | | | be used with Netscape or Firefox.So what is the |
| software to connect to the Internet? | | | | alternative? |
| Absolutely not. The Windows operating system | | | | Simply contact a service provider and ask them if |
| provides all the networking software needed to | | | | internet connection software is required to use their |
| connect to the Internet and most other types of | | | | service. Not all Internet service providers require that |
| networks for that matter. Some ISPs require that their | | | | you install connection software and are very willing to |
| branded software be installed to connect to their | | | | help you set up your Windows connection. |
| service. This required software is used by the service | | | | While doing research for this article, I expected to find |
| provider to capture your attention for the purpose of | | | | price to be a factor in the connection software |
| showing you advertisements and the ISP's own | | | | equation. ISP's that require connection software |
| focused content. | | | | obviously make money force feeding you |
| Usually when you click to connect to one of these | | | | advertisements, allowing them to offer lower rates. To |
| service providers your browser opens and you are | | | | my surprise that does not appear to be the most |
| bombarded with ads while the home page loads. You | | | | important factor in setting price. I found that bandwidth |
| may be able to customize the content posted on the | | | | has more affect in determining rates.So, escape from |
| home page to your liking, but lets face facts, You have | | | | the hijackers. There are many national Internet service |
| become a captive audience and you are being taken | | | | providers out there that don't require that you be held |
| for a ride.What does the Internet Service Providers | | | | hostage to pop up ads and stale content. Search the |
| software do? | | | | Internet for ISPs, do your homework and you will find |
| Internet access provider software does 2 things | | | | the freedom to surf the web the way you |
| immediately on install. First it hijacks your Windows | | | | deserve.Lyle Cochran is a PC technician with over 10 |
| connection software so that it can not be used to | | | | years experience and webmaster of Cheap |
| connect to any other service provider. Usually other | | | | Computer Solutions, where you can learn the secret to |
| Windows network services are also disabled, such as | | | | finding cheap computer hardware parts and retailers |
| Internet connection sharing. Second, it hijacks your web | | | | online. The number one site for cheap computer |
| browser so that you must log on to their home page, | | | | how-to shopping guides. Working hard to save your |
| which I find ironic since internet service providers are | | | | computing dollars. |
| always warning us about spyware that hijacks your | | | | Download your free Cheap Computer Parts |
| browser.The perpetrators of this type of hijacking is a | | | | Organizer now. |
| list of the most popular service providers. You know | | | | |