Getting Connected to the Internet

Everything you need from picking a great Internet provider to getting a computer.

Russ Portrait

Finding an Internet Provider - The place to visit is Broadbandreports.com  - Here you can  learn all about the providers in your local area.

Find a VPN provider - https://www.bestvpn.com/

Setting up the connection at home: Practicallynetworked.com - A great site for helping you build/configure your own home network, and share a modem connection to the Internet. He also talks about security issues


Be sure to learn everything you can about wireless before you implement it. 
People and businesses are actually out prowling for your wireless network; see wigle.net and  netstumbler (example screen shots).
Comcast turned your home router into a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
Google knows nearly every Wi-Fi password in the world


Network Address  translation (NAT) is the translation of an IP number from one network segment into an IP Number that is used within another network segment.   These translations occur for each packet of traffic as it flows across the NAT device. NAT is often used where a private network touches a public network, such as: the ISP towards your house; or within your own Network (Your modem  towards your Internal LAN)  There are certain IP numbers allocated for use on Private networks. (reference: RFC’s 1918, 1631) . Additional details about NAT are located here: HowStuffworks

A simple NAT Diagram:


To see your computer’s actual IP Address:     
   - Windows XP:  DOS Prompt -> ipconfig /all
       (the DOS Prompt is under : start --> programs (--> accessories) --> Command Prompt)

Once you are connected, try testing your connection using one of these speed test pages:   DSLReports, Speedometer from Mcafee,


Russ Haynal -  Internet Instructor and Speaker

Contact me at 703-729-1757 or  Russ 'at' navigators.com  
If you use email, put "internet training" in the subject of the email.
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