Important News from Brazos Internet

New!

Internet Tools

MySecurity Antivirus Protection

MySecurity is a new service that helps you protect your computer from damage caused by viruses, worms, Trojans and Spyware. Running scheduled antivirus and spyware scans using MySecurity can block viruses from your computer and, if a virus intrudes your system, have the ability to remove them.

MySecurity Antivirus Protection $3.00/month

Set-up Fee $10.00

MyBackup Data Storage

MyBackUp Data Storage is a new service that provides secure data storage services for Brazos Internet customers. Storing your files using MyBackUp will help you reduce the risk of losing important documents, photos, spreadsheets, and other important information.

MyBackup Data Storage:

1GB $3.00/month

5GB $7.50/month

10GB $15.00/month

20GB $30.00/month

50GB $75.00/month

Set-up Fee $10.00

My Backup service available to customers who subscribe to high-speed internet from Brazos. Please contact our customer care offices at 1.940.564.5659 or

1.800.687.3222 to order/discontinue MySecurity/MyBackup services.

Securing Your Wireless Router

If you've watched the news in the last couple of days you have probably heard the story about the man from Florida whose wide open wireless signal was pirated by porn offenders. Unfortunately, the owner of the wireless router did not have the router locked or secured and was accused by authorities of a horrible crime. Luckily authorities found those involved in the horrendous act at a marina more than two city blocks away.

Most of us who live in rural communities never dream that someone would want to use our wireless signal to do illegal things and that we could be an unknowing accomplice. We innocently assume our identity is protected from theft by steps we have taken to secure our credit and banking information not realizing we may be vulnerable in another area.

The use of a wireless router in your home or business is great since it allows you to access the Internet via your laptop, or smart phone. It also gives you the ability to stream movies directly to your PC or Television.

Most of the newer wireless routers provide a CD with installation instructions and part of that install includes protecting your router with a password. This password locks or prevents your wireless signal from being pirated by others in your neighborhood or by those just passing through your community. A guest in your home or business, and yes even kiddos home from college who want to access the Internet via their laptop or smart phone will need your permission to do so.

As with any username or password it is recommended you create strong ones by using numbers, letters, symbols, and punctuation. These should also be changed often making it harder for someone to hack into your system. To help you learn more about strong usernames and passwords click on the link below to Brazos Internet's Website Compass magazine. There are many informative articles, tutorials and answers to frequently asked questions that will help you understand the Internet.

To view the story aired on The Today Show click below.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/41985312#41985312

To read more information about some of the latest technology gadgets and how they affect us visit our NEW Blog site at www.brazosnet.com/blog.

This Month's Q & A Technology Tips

Q. I heard that Facebook Places shares your location without your knowledge or consent. Is that true?

A. No, that is not true. Let's start with a definition. Places is a Facebook mobile application that allows you to see where your friends are and share your physical location. You can check into nearby Places to tell your friends where you are, tag your friends in the Places you visit, and view comments your friends have made about the Places you visit.

You control and own all of the information you contribute to Facebook, including your Places information. You decide how and with whom you share, and your location is never automatically shared.

To adjust your Places settings in Facebook:

Go to the "Customize settings" section of your privacy settings.
Select the drop-down box next to "Places I check into" and select one of the four recommended settings. Everyone, Friends and Networks, Friends of Friends, or Friends Only.
Alternatively, you can make the locations you check into visible to or hidden from specific people by clicking "Customize."

Be sure to check out Brazos Internet's Website Compass Magazine located at brazosnet.com/internet/index.php and click on the Website Compass icon to view our guide of helpful internet and computer information. This Q&A session courtesy of Website Compass Magazine.

Don't jeopardize yourself, your family or your neighbors by cutting a utility line that provides them service. Texas law requires notification 48 hours prior to any excavation to assure utilities be properly marked. To locate your utility services before you dig call Texas 811 Call System or click on the link below.

www.texas811.com.

What Happens When You Call

1. Call Texas One Call

Call Texas One Call two working days before you dig at (800) DIG-TESS or

800.344.8377.

2. Dig Tess Will Notify Member Companies

Dig Tess will tell you which of their member companies will be notified about

your excavation near their underground lines.

3. Member Company Marks Lines

TESS Member Companies will mark their underground lines, as they

determine necessary, and you will be able to work safely and without

delay. Brazos Telephone is a TESS Company Member and will schedule

a time to mark the lines.

4. You Dig Safely

Begin your project with the peace of mind and confidence in knowing

you are utilizing safe excavation practices while preserving vital

services, protecting property and saving lives?

In This Issue

Securing Your Wirelss Router

This Month's Q & A Technology Tips

Know what's below.

What Customers Say About Us

Internet Related Words

Internet Trivia

Affordable Telephone Service Programs

Pay & Win Basket Program

What Customers Say About Us...

I recently changed my internet to Brazos, and signed up for their bundle. The Brazos sales rep looked at my account and bills for services from other companies. She was able to help me save about $150 each month. My Internet is much faster than it was with the previous company I was using. For me, it is Brazos all the way.

B. Kinsey, Archer City, TX

Internet Related Words

Gigabyte: A unit of computer measurement equal to 1,000 megabytes or 1 billion bytes.

WI-FI: (Short for Wireless Fidelity) a term for a wireless local network (WLAN) which uses high frequency radio waves.

Glossary terms courtesy of Website Compass Magazine.

Internet Trivia

The average (USA) internet user watches 186 online videos a month.

Trivia/Stats quoted courtesy of http://www.royal.pingdo

m.com

"Internet 2010 in Numbers"

Lifeline and Link-Up Programs
Provide discounts to eligible low-income consumers

Brazos Telephone offers home telephone assistance through two programs as adopted by the Texas Public Utility Commission referred to as Lifeline and Link Up. These support programs provide discounts to eligible low-income consumers to help them establish and maintain telephone service.

Link Up is a program designed to offer eligible customers a reduction in installation charges for telephone service equal to one half of the service connection charges for $30.00 whichever is less.

Lifeline service is a program designed to make telephone service available at reduced rates to eligible residential customers. An individual is eligible if he or she participates in one of the following programs:

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Federal Public Housing Assistance or Section 8
Medicaid
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
National School Lunch free lunch program

In addition, you may be eligible if your household income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or in our household resides a person who receives or has a child who receives benefits from at least one of the above-mentioned programs.

For questions or eligibility, or to apply for Lifeline Discounts you can call toll free 1.866.4LITEUP (1.866.454.8387) or visit http://www.liteuptexas.org/NewForm. For more information contact Brazos Telephone Cooperative, Inc or Brazos Telecommunications, Inc. at 1.800.687.3222 or 940.564.5659 or stop by our office located at 109 N. Ave D Olney, TX 76374.

Pay & Win Basket Winners

J. McQuire February Basket Winner

Congratulations to J. McGuire the winner of the February "Heart Healthy" basket and to P.Taylor winner of March's "Spring Garden" basket.

P. Taylor March Basket Winner

Each month a themed basket valued at $40 is given to one lucky winner. All you have to do is maintain a current balance and pay your bill on time.

Next lucky winner will be

April 18, 2011. Good Luck!

Brazos Internet

109 N. Ave D Olney, Texas 76374

940.564.5659 or 800.687.3222

www.brazosnet.com

Sign up and Save!	Sign up today and save! Receive the first month of internet service FREE when you sign up for High-Speed Internet Service from Brazos. Free Installation Free Activation Free E-mail Accounts No Contract *Requires a modem purchase of $35.00. First month free offer available for new activations only. Hurry! Offer ends 4-30-11.
Offer Expires: April 30, 2011 www.brazosnet.com