The internet is pretty impressive. Where else can you speak to people on the other side of the world, buy exactly what you want from stores you’ve never visited and receive news as it happens from anywhere, any time?

But with the wonders of the net comes a whole army of cheeky scammers trying to make money at the expense of the unsuspecting internet user. One of the most popular scams involves phishing – fraudsters pretending to be someone they’re not (like your ISP) to access sensitive information like usernames, passwords or credit card details.

Our Westnet Support Team recently brought us up to speed on a phishing email received by a number of our members. It’s a good example of the type of fraudulent email that could land in your inbox, so have a read before we walk you through some of the ways you can avoid becoming a victim:

“Dear Westnet’s web-based email Account Owner,

We are upgrading our E-mail and having congestion due to the anonymous registration of Westnet E-mail accounts so we are shutting down some Westnet E-mail accounts and your account was among those to be deleted.

Confirm your E-mail by filling out your Login Information below after clicking the reply button.

* Email Address: * Password: * Confirm Password:

* Date of Birth: * Country Or Territory:

Warning!!!: Account owner that refuses to update his/her account after 1 week of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently.

Sincerely, Westnet Team.”

At face value, it’s easy to see how unsuspecting users could quickly respond to emails like these in fear of their account being deleted. (This email even came complete with coloured Westnet logos copied from our website to make it appear more authentic.)

While we like to think our member emails are cleaner and a lot friendlier than this example, there’s an even clearer portion of this email that distinguishes it as bogus. Westnet will never ask for your password via email. We take every precaution to protect your personal information and know that asking for these details via email is by no means secure.

If by chance you have replied to an email like this, you should:

• Change your password immediately
• Contact Westnet Support on 1300 786 068 – we’ll be happy to help
• Keep a close eye on MyAccount for any unusual activity

If you’re unsure about the authenticity of an email claiming to be from Westnet, give our Support Team a call and they should be able to put your mind at ease. If an email looks like an obvious scam, let us know at online.abuse@westnet.com.au before deleting it straight away.

Your password is the key to your life online – your virtual identity, lifestyle and finances. Just as a house or car key should be difficult to copy, it’s important to pick a password that’s difficult to guess.

This month, Westnet’s Sandra Lim takes you through four easy steps to keeping your password a well kept secret.

Tip 1: The longer the better.

Short passwords are easier to crack; software designed to process letter combinations can find yours in a matter of seconds. But just add a few more characters, and it takes significantly longer to figure out. Make sure your passwords are at least eight characters long.

Tip 2: Use strange word choices, misspellings, numbers and symbols.

When it comes to passwords, spelling and grammar need not apply. In fact, using a proper dictionary word reduces password security, as automatic password finders can process known words with ease. Feel free to misspell, use numbers and punctuation marks, and even combinations of multiple words.
If you must write your password down, don’t keep it near your computer.

Tip 3: Avoid low-effort passwords.

Among the most common are “qwerty”, “abc123″, “asdfasdf”, “123456″ and “password” – low-effort passwords that don’t take much time to create or type, hence the most obvious for a thief to try. Choose a password that requires both hands to type and letters from separate sections of the keyboard.

Tip 4: Use different passwords for different sites.

Alternatively, if you use too many sites for this to be practical, pick a handful of passwords to distribute over your online activities. So if security is compromised on one site, any potential damage is limited only to the accounts that share the same password.

In Australia, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) assign quotas to their broadband packages. Having a broadband quota means there is a limit assigned to how much web activity you can undertake (how many web pages you can view, how many songs and photos you can download, how many emails you can receive etc.)

Once you reach your quota limit for the month, some ISPs will charge excess usage fees. This means you’re billed for the extra data you download, which can quickly add up to a larger internet bill than expected.

An alternative method is called shaping, which instead slows your internet speed right down when you reach your quota limit, saving you any excess usage fees. This seems like a fairer (and less costly) method, so it’s the way we do things at Westnet.

Westnet broadband services are shaped at various speeds (dependant on your individual plan) for the period in which you have exceeded your quota. If you exceed your off-peak quota your connection will only be shaped during off-peak times; on-peak will operate at full speed.

On plans that count uploads and downloads toward the same total, customers need to be aware that once they’re shaped, they’ll notice their download and upload speeds decrease.

At the end of your monthly cycle, normal speeds will resume and your quota will be reset. We never charge excess fees on plans that include shaping.

With Westnet’s new value-packed broadband plans (with their enormous quota allowances) worrying about shaping will become a thing of the past. Find out about our generous new plans.

We’d like you to meet BoB™ – the internet and phone in one.

We’ve spent the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on a new and improved billing platform to make BoB™ available to existing Westnet members… so here he is.

BoB™ is the solution for all your phone and broadband needs, delivering great range as a wireless modem and letting you make calls with a standard phone or thanks to our Netphone service.

For just $9.95/month, BoB™ delivers a range of great features designed to make your life that little bit easier.

Here’s just a few:

• Hassle-free setup
  Just plug him in and he automatically configures himself with your Westnet broadband account and settings. All you need to do is plug the power cord into the wall and the phone cable into the wall socket

• Shiny look
  He has a modern design with black premium glass look and feel, no external antennae and is designed to be put on show in your home.

• Cheap call rates with Netphone
  Talk to friends and family with our great Netphone1 call rates, or get all your local and national calls included with Netphone2.

• Excellent wireless range
  Up to twice the wireless range of standard wireless modems – including speeds of up to 300Mbps within a 100m radius of the BoB™ base.

• A convenient recharge station
  Two USB ports to charge your mobile phone, iPod or any other USB-charge device.

Getting your hands on BoB™

If you’re keen to start enjoying all the benefits of BoB™, you’ll need to migrate to our improved billing platform first. Don’t worry – it’s an easy process you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

Here’s how you can get the ball rolling:

1. Log into your MyAccount page
2. Click the ‘Get BoB™ & Netphone’ option in the ‘Account’ tab. This will direct you to a new page confirming your move onto the new billing platform.
3. Simply follow the steps, then log out of MyAccount for 30 minutes while your account is updated.
4. When you return to MyAccount, you’ll have the option of adding BoB™ and Netphone to your existing service.

If you have any problems along the way, feel free to give our Support Team a call on 1300 786 068 for assistance.

Go on – get a bit of BoB™ in your life!

We’d like you to meet BoB™ – the internet and phone in one.

We’ve spent the last few weeks putting the finishing touches on a new and improved billing platform to make BoB™ available to existing Westnet members… so here he is.

BoB™ is the solution for all your phone and broadband needs, delivering great range as a wireless modem and letting you make calls with a standard phone or thanks to our Netphone service.

For just $9.95/month, BoB™ delivers a range of great features designed to make your life that little bit easier.

Here’s just a few:

• Hassle-free setup
  Just plug him in and he automatically configures himself with your Westnet broadband account and settings. All you need to do is plug the power cord into the wall and the phone cable into the wall socket

• Shiny look
  He has a modern design with black premium glass look and feel, no external antennae and is designed to be put on show in your home.

• Cheap call rates with Netphone
  Talk to friends and family with our great Netphone1 call rates, or get all your local and national calls included with Netphone2.

• Excellent wireless range
  Up to twice the wireless range of standard wireless modems – including speeds of up to 300Mbps within a 100m radius of the BoB™ base.

• A convenient recharge station
  Two USB ports to charge your mobile phone, iPod or any other USB-charge device.

Getting your hands on BoB™

If you’re keen to start enjoying all the benefits of BoB™, you’ll need to migrate to our improved billing platform first. Don’t worry – it’s an easy process you can complete from the comfort of your own home.

Here’s how you can get the ball rolling:

1. Log into your MyAccount page
2. Click the ‘Get BoB™ & Netphone’ option in the ‘Account’ tab. This will direct you to a new page confirming your move onto the new billing platform.
3. Simply follow the steps, then log out of MyAccount for 30 minutes while your account is updated.
4. When you return to MyAccount, you’ll have the option of adding BoB™ and Netphone to your existing service.

If you have any problems along the way, feel free to give our Support Team a call on 1300 786 068 for assistance.

Go on – get a bit of BoB™ in your life!

Netphone is Westnet’s VoIP product.

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. It’s a method for taking analogue audio signals (like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone), and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.

Netphone provides a quality and reliable phone service over your broadband connection, so you can make calls at a reduced cost or, in some cases, for free.

You can still use your telephone the same, but instead of plugging your phone into the socket on your wall, you’d plug it into the back of your modem or router. Nothing else changes and you can still make calls to or receive calls from non-Netphone users.

Why use Netphone?

Save on call costs

Westnet offers two Netphone products delivering great call rates at home and abroad:

Netphone2 – Includes all your local and national calls included for just $9.95 per month, with very impressive international and mobile call rates when you bundle with phone.

Netphone1 – Super-cheap rates including 15c untimed local and national calls, plus great rates to overseas numbers and mobiles for $9.95 per month.

Internet and phone in the one account

Having your broadband and Netphone service with Westnet means one easy to manage account, plus a single bill each and every month

What you need

Existing Westnet members will need to be on an eligible broadband plan with a connection speed of at least 512kbps to enjoy all the benefits of Netphone. If your current service features speeds less than 512kbps, you should consider changing your plan. (Making a plan change will automatically bring you on to our new Netphone-friendly billing platform)

You’ll also need a broadband connection and a VoIP enabled modem (such as BoB™) or an ATA Adapter.

Making the switch

Take a look at this month’s BoB™ article for the four easy steps you can take to start using Netphone. If you have any problems along the way, feel free to give our Support Team a call on 1300 786 068 for assistance.

For more information on how Netphone can help you save on your monthly phone bills – take a look for yourself.

There are so many choices to make when buying a new TV: whether to go with plasma, LCD, LED, widescreen, flat screen or high definition – the list goes on. But now there’s another format on the horizon for those chasing the ultimate home entertainment experience.

The technology used to create 3D movies like the record-breaking Avatar is slowly making a progression to the small screen, with 3D TV touted as ‘the next big thing’ in home entertainment. Here’s a quick sneak peek at what all the fuss is about…

How 3D TV works

Think about how the human eye works and you’ll gain a better understanding of the technology behind 3D TV. Adult eyes are around 7cm apart, so each eye views the same image from a slightly different angle. These images are relayed to our brain which blends them into one to gauge distance and create a sense of depth.

3D TV technology takes the same approach; with two identical images projected on the television screen simultaneously – one for each eye (also known as Stereoscopy). When viewed through 3D glasses, the mind blends the images to fill the screen, creating the illusion of depth.

Keep in mind that to view 3D TV you’ll need to purchase a new, 3D-enabled television and – if you’re looking to enjoy recorded 3D blockbusters at home – a 3D Blu-ray player.

Are the glasses necessary?

Yes. To experience the full 3D effect, you’ll need those clunky-looking glasses to transform the image on your screen to one that will excite your senses. Without them, images appear distorted and pretty much unwatchable.

Health concerns

Since 3D TV has emerged as the ‘new frontier’ in home entertainment, some experts have raised concerns of the health risks associated with the format.

Some manufacturers (like Samsung) recommend 3D TV not be viewed by those under the influence of alcohol, pregnant women, the elderly and those who are sleep deprived. That said, some recent scientific whispers suggest watching 3D television under normal conditions is unlikely to damage your vision.

What can we watch?

Right now – not that much. With 3D TV still emerging as a serious player in the home entertainment industry, a range of content is currently being tested and trialled by broadcasters. It looks as though 3D broadcasting for wider TV audiences is at least a few years away, but in the mean time there will still be ways to get your three-dimensional fix at home.

Sport has the potential to become a big player in the 3D format; with viewers keen for the feeling they are ‘in’ the game. An initiative from FIFA will see some action from the 2010 FIFA World Cup broadcast in 3D, with those owning the sponsor’s brand of 3D television able to view the action as it happens. Others can relive all the football highlights in a 3D film to be released sometime after the tournament – a potential sign of things to come across other sporting codes.

There is also an increasing number of new movies being filmed or re-released in 3D, with a host of animated films also fostering the new technology, which should eventually be released in all their three-dimensional glory.

3D TV and the future

With digital television well and truly upon us, television manufacturers will happily announce 3D TV as the future of home entertainment. The success of the format will ultimately depend on just how many people embrace the new technology – which is clearly still in its early stages.

If you’re currently in the market for a new television, rest assured the present 3D models are top notch and will display standard 2D television while you wait for the world of 3D to take off. Alternatively, you could wait until the ‘3D boom’ hits, when it’s expected more TV models will become available and prices should decrease.

While the world of fully-fledged 3D TV may still be a little way off, for those looking for something extra in home entertainment it’s certainly something to look forward to.

Our look at computer viruses and other online nasties in the April Westnet Newsletter sparked an encouraging response from Members keen to know more about internet safety and the steps they can take to protect themselves online.

As luck would have it, this weekend marks the beginning of National Cyber Security Awareness Week 2010 – a Federal Government initiative encouraging all internet users to show the necessary care while online.

The Week brings together government agencies, industry, and community and consumer organizations in an effort to increase online safety.  Events and information sessions in metropolitan, regional and rural communities across Australia emphasize online risks to personal and financial information and provide details on the steps we can take to stay out of harm’s way.

National Cyber Security Awareness Week 2010 promotes six easy steps you can take for better online security:

1. Install security software and update it regularly.

Helps prevent infections from a range of nasty sources, often spread through bogus downloads or emails.

2. Turn on automatic updates so all your software receives the latest fixes.

This will prevent your software becoming outdated and help detect the latest threats.

3. Get a stronger password and change it at least twice a year.

Strong passwords are usually more that eight characters in length, a mixture of upper and lower case, with at least one number.

4. Stop and think before you click on links or attachments.

Make sure links and attachments are to/from trusted sources; or err on the side of caution.

5. Stop and think before you share any personal or financial information about yourself or your friends and family.

Is it the kind of information you’d want in the hands of scammers?

6. Know what your children are doing online.

Make sure they know to stay safe and encourage them to report anything suspicious.

Following these simple steps – and showing a reasonable amount of common sense – will help guard your computer against nasty viruses and keep your personal information out of reach from online scammers.

Heaps more information on National Cyber Security Awareness Week 2010 (and online security in general) is available at www.staysmartonline.gov.au. You can even sign on to the Stay Smart Online Alert Service for up to date advice in plain speaking language, and details of the very latest e-security threats.