Going World Wide

Hooking up to the Internet used to be a privilege afforded only to universities and corporations. Now, it's an essential part of owning and using any PC, and it's available to virtually everyone.

In this chapter, you will find information about choosing an Internet service provider (ISP), making the connection through a modem or other link, installing and configuring your system, and making it safe and secure. This chapter tells how to select an Internet connection technology and connect a single computer to the Internet. However, this isn't your only option. You can take any one of several routes:

• If your computer is part of an existing local area network (LAN) with Internet access, you can skip this chapter entirely because Internet access will come along as part of your Windows XP installation. In fact, if you are part of a corporate LAN, it is probably a violation of your company's security policy to establish your own independent connection. (If it's not, it should be!)

• If you are setting up a LAN for your home or office, you can provide Internet access to the entire LAN through one connection. You should read Chapter 19, "Connecting Your LAN to the Internet," and decide whether you want to connect your LAN. Use the instructions in this chapter to set up the initial connection; Chapter 19 will tell you how to share it with the rest of your workgroup.

• If you want to use your existing ISP account and connection technology, you can skip the introductory sections of this chapter and go right down to "Installing a Modem in Windows XP," or, for broadband connections, "Installing a Network Adapter."

• If you need to make a clean start with the Internet, read on!

NOTE

The built-in Windows Firewallactually, all aspects of Windows Internet securitywere significantly improved in Windows XP Service Pack 2. It's essential that you use this updated version of Windows. The Internet used to be a congenial, trusted community designed to permit easy collaboration and open communication. But now, spammers, con-artists, hackers, and other bottom-feeders have infested its every nook and cranny, and you have to protect yourself against them.

The procedures in this chapter assume that you have Service Pack 2 installed. To see if Service Pack 2 (or higher) is installed on your copy of Windows XP, open Windows Explorer and click Help, About Windows. If the version number doesn't say "Service Pack 2" or higher, see Appendix A for instructions on obtaining and installing this critical security update.