Is it true that Broadband connections are more vulnerable than Dial-up connections?

I just copy the statement about this thing, but still I want to hear the opinions of others. - “With dial-up, your IP address changes each time you log in. From a security standpoint this is good, as it makes your computer a moving target for human hackers (though some automated worms can check the whole range of IP addresses in less than 15 minutes). With broadband, your IP address is always the same, so hackers can probe your computer at leisure.”

 

I'm on Broadband (ADSL) but I still have to 'dial' a connection and am allotted a client ISP address at that time. This is because my modem uses a USB connection, enabling me to go online or diconnect at any time.

If you use an ethernet connection you are always online from the moment you power up your machine. This seems to me to be less safe (in theory at least). I like being able to disconnect to work offline and I like being able to change my ISP address by disconnecting and reconnecting again (it only takes a few seconds to do that).

The trouble is, you need ethernet if you want to use a router and hardware FW. So USB is considered second best - though it makes no difference to my speed of connection. I'm also safe from premium rate diallers, which do not apply to Broadband.

 

Hi
Ive just connected to optusnet broadband and im using an ethernet cable.
My address changes everythime i boot the computer. i can also disconnect manually through the taskbar. I can also just boot with the cable disconnected from the back of the modem.

CHEERS

 

Also worth mention is that most broadband connections gain an additional layer of protection from a firewalling router.

 

Most? I don't think so. "most" accept modems from the provider, and at best, firewalling is an after thought, if thought about at all.

Regards - Charles

 

Re: Is it true that Broadband connections are more vulnerable than Dial-up connection

From what I learned from all the good people here (THANK YOU!!!), it makes no difference. I think I remember reading a while back that it was closer to 2 minutes (I might be wrong) before something or someone comes knocking. That doesn't mean you have 2 minutes or 15 minutes, it could be the exact instant you plug in and connect.
If you have an unprotected vulnerable computer, what difference does it make if you are compromised the instant you connect, in 2 minutes, 15 minutes, or one hour later. Your computer will be compromised just the same.
Far better to be well prepared before you even think about plugging in that cable or phone cord.
With broadband, you can also get service packs, AV signatures, etc. much faster. It is pricey, but worth it.
Another idea, even if you are currently on dial up, you might look into a broadband router with a dial up modem fallback connection. I have not tried this and don't know if the modem connection will use the hardware firewall inside the router, but it might be worth looking into.

 

If we discuss the whole gament of what can go wrong while connected to the net....to me it would not matter whether a user is dial-up, DSL, Broadband....etc. Surfing to the wrong site at the wrong time is making many users PC's practically unusable....no matter what connection they use. If we talk simply of worms that "can check the whole range of IP addresses in less than 15 minutes"....sure....dial-up would be less a threat.

 

As Devinco noted in regards to worms, with an unpatched/unprotected system it can only be a matter of minutes. So broadband or dial-up makes little difference.

As for changing your IP all the time, for most home users not running services exposed to the Internet it makes no real difference. "makes your computer a moving target" suggests they are after YOU specifically, which is generally not the case. Most other scans you see are just that, scans for open/vulnerable services usually directed at a broad range of IP's. As long as your system/network is protected, broadband is not more vulnerable.

Regards,

CrazyM