How often do you have guests at your home ask for your WiFi password? Many of us think nothing of giving the password to our friends and family, or our kids’ friends. But you may not realize that you’re putting your own network security at risk. How? Guests could unknowingly download malware or connect to your network with already-infected devices, which could then infect everything else within the network. But that’s not the only reason to use a guest network.
What do they actually measure?Many of us have used a website to test our Internet speed. And you may have noticed that the results of these speed tests vary and often do not match what you see on your bill. Why is this? It comes down to the difference between bandwidth and speed. (Yes there’s a difference!)
The YOUDUO app has many features to give you ease of control over your WiFi network and the devices that connect to it. Another useful feature is the Bandwidth Test, which allows you to measure the bandwidth connection coming into your router from DUO Broadband.
What exactly is bandwidth and why do I want to measure it?
Johnna Popplewell (left) and Rhonda Wilkerson (right) celebrate their retirement.
We recently celebrated the careers of two long-term DUO Broadband employees. We wish Johnna Popplewell and Rhonda Wilkerson all the best in their retirement! Thank you Johnna for 28 years of service. And thank you Rhonda for 27 years! Here are some photos from the celebration:
…and are they all the same?A router is what allows the Internet cable connected to your home communicate with your Internet devices, like your computer, or security cameras, or smart appliances.
Today, most routers are wireless, broadcasting a WiFi signal a short distance inside —or outside— your home or business. This allows phones, smart TVs, and other devices to access the Internet at very high speed.
Beyond that, a router provides a level of security to your home or business network.
Lower quality routers can be a bottleneck for really fast Internet, as a network can only be as good as its weakest link.
To assure the absolute best connectivity with your Internet, DUO Broadband carries the Calix GigaSpire BLAST router and matching extenders to send your signal even further.
Want to add a GigaSpire BLAST router or sign up for DUO Broadband Internet? Just complete our service request form today!
So what exactly is streaming? …and why stream?
Streaming is watching TV through the Internet — a growing trend that could very well be the future of all TV.
The advantage of streaming is you can pause, save, resume, and skip when viewing. You can even binge watch an entire TV series at one sitting. You have almost unlimited options from TV shows, Movies, Music, and more — at any time.
Most streaming is provided through subscriptions with companies like Netflix, Disney, ESPN, and others. They offer ever increasing selections, and some allow you to “rent” the newest movie releases.
To stream you need fast, reliable Internet service and either a newer “smart” TV or an external device like a Roku Box, or Apple TV device. Most gaming platforms, like Microsoft’s X-box provide streaming capabilities.
This tech minute brought to you by DUO Broadband – the high-speed fiber Internet experts.
Take the mystery out of managing your WiFi!YOUDUO is a free App that allows you to manage your home or business Wi-Fi network from your mobile phone. When you have a GigaSpire BLAST Router from DUO, you can use this powerful and intuitive tool to get the most out of your WiFi and gain insight into your home or business network.
If the last video game you played was PacMan, or if you’ve never played video games at all, it might be hard to appreciate the appeal and requirements of today’s online gaming.
Arcades are practically gone. Development of the Internet transformed everything. It allowed people to compete with other people either far away, or across the street.
But it was the development of broadband networks that really changed gaming. It allowed game developers to build elaborate, immersive 3d virtual worlds to explore and compete in. Games like Fortnite, Madden NFL, and Minecraft are beautiful to look at, experience, and play!
Modern video games require powerful processors in computers and game consoles. More importantly, they also require very fast Internet. AND, if your gaming device is connected through WiFi, the WiFi needs to be fast as well.
DUO Broadband is the high-speed fiber Internet experts, offering the next generation GigaSpire BLAST router and mesh extender to make the most of your broadband speed!
Smart Home is a general term that can refer to any number of features in a house that are Internet-enabled — with the purpose of making your life easier and your home more efficient. These can include turning on lights, monitoring security cameras, adjusting your thermostat, and much more.
The simplest to install smart home components include Internet assistants, like the Amazon Alexa or Google Home, that perform simple tasks when asked by voice. These devices utilize the internet for commands like: remind me to check the oven in 30 minutes, what’s the meaning of a certain word, or, play some country music.
With additional connected devices —and fast, reliable Internet— these assistants can pre-heat your oven, unlock a door with smart locks, and even start your car on a cold day, all from the comfort of your couch. Plus, you can do all this away from home with a mobile phone or computer.
Reliable, high speed Broadband Internet from DUO is a key component of any smart home, and with our Gig router and mesh extender you can get the most from your connection.
While there is nothing wrong with paying your bills the traditional way, writing checks, stuffing envelopes, adding postage, and using the postal system, you might want to consider a faster option. Online bill pay has been around for years, and while nothing is 100% safe, today’s security and encryption for paying bills through the Internet is very robust.
Of course, precautions are important, like never share personal information responding to unsolicited calls. Never click links from unsolicited emails or texts. Change your password periodically, and create long passwords. Use a secure network to make payments, like your home wifi, not hotels or coffee shops.
The advantages of paying bills online include time saved, convenient access to accurate account balances, no postage costs, less paperwork, and, less paper waste.
Call 270-343-3131 today if you have any questions about DUO Broadband’s online bill pay.
This week DUO Broadband launched its redesigned website. The new site has an updated look, but longtime users should find it familiar and easy to navigate.
“We wanted to be sure our customers wouldn’t have difficulty getting used to a new design, so the menu matches pretty closely to our previous site,” said Eric West, Director of Marketing at DUO Broadband. “In fact, it should be easier to use. The main reason for the new look was to make it easier for business customers to access the information and services pertinent to their needs.”
(more…)DUO Broadband continues to monitor the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Our priority is the health of our employees, customers, and our community. However, we know the broadband and phone services we provide remain critical for students, businesses, health care, and other applications in the days ahead. We take very seriously the continuity of business operations, so our network is stable and available all the time. We will continue to prepare for the impacts of COVID-19 and we will continue to actively review and update our business plan to address the ever-changing nature of this situation. We are considering all options to help maintain operations and provide uninterrupted service to customers.
We are implementing new policies for our staff and our operations to continue to provide service without interruptions to the best of our ability.
EFFECTIVE MONDAY, MARCH 23 – LOBBIES ARE CLOSED, DRIVE-THRU REMAINS OPEN!
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