May 2011 iiNews

editor's note

Getting caught out online can happen to the best of us. My productive Wednesday last week ground to a sudden halt, when I unintentionally clicked on a pop-up. Within seconds, malware had taken over my machine and caused a major system melt down. Bah bow – fail.

Luckily for me, I'm a stickler for backing up my files and had a friendly IT Officer within throwing distance fix my desktop. Now with National Cyber Safety Awareness Week in full swing, I'm taking a strong cue to revisit my online habits. You should probably think about doing the same and learn how you can avoid malware.

That's it for an introductory segue this month. There's plenty to run through this edition, so go ahead and tuck in.

Happy Awareness Week!

Swee Au-Yong
iiNews Editor
iinewsfeedback@iinet.net.au

iiNet news

iiNet's Online Safety Series spreads the word on cyber security

We've just launched our new Online Safety Series. Working side-by-side with our iiNet security experts, we've put together a program to help folks better understand how important (and easy) it is to stay safe online.

Making its debut with the Australian Government's National Cyber Security Awareness Week (30 May to 3 June 2011), our Online Safety Series will share fact sheets on big online topics each month. From tips on how to sniff out a phishing scam, shopping securely in cyberspace, to upping your social network smarts and more.

Check out iiNet's Online Safety Series and download the first Social Networking and your teenager factsheet. While you're there, you can also register your interest in arranging an Online Safety Seminar. For now, we can only offer seminars in Perth but we'll be looking to grow this nationwide.

The NBN switches on for mainland Australia

The National Broadband Network (NBN) was the talk of the town on 18 May 2011 as PM Julia Gillard met industry heavyweights to flick the switch, connecting Australia's first mainland site in Armidale (NSW).

We're chuffed to have had a couple of our own iiNet customers involved in the Armidale trial. Right now, they're connecting to the 'net thanks to the speed of light, giving them internet speeds 60 times faster than what we could offer them before.

To find out more, read our iiNet mainland customers go live on NBN press release or hit up the Australian Government's NBN page.

For folks living in Armidale (NSW), Willunga (SA), Kiama Downs (NSW), Brunswick (VIC) and Townsville (QLD) keen to raise a hand to join trials for our next release, drop us an email at getfibre@iinet.net.au. For the lucky few who join our trial program, you'll enjoy connecting to the NBN at no cost until pricing is set from October.

Not sure what the NBN is all about? Jump down to this month's Geek Speak to see it spelled out.

support & services

Geek Speak

You've probably heard about the Federal Government's $43 billion NBN initiative. It's kind of a big deal and looks set to change the way millions of Australians access the 'net. If you're not sure what this loaded little acronym means, read on as we spell it out...

What is the NBN?

NBN stands for National Broadband Network.

Over the next few years, we'll see NBN Co working to lay an estimated 200,000 kilometres of fibre optic cabling to build the NBN. Once it's complete, 90% of homes, schools and businesses across the nation will be connecting to lightning-fast internet.

At the moment ADSL2+ is one of the fastest ways of accessing the net, using standard copper wiring to connect your home to your local telephone exchange. Because fibre can carry more bits of data than copper, anything you download from the internet will reach your computer a whole lot faster. With fibre you'll be connecting with download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second - around 12 times faster than the fastest ADSL2+ broadband currently available.

To learn more, read through our NBN FAQs, visit NBN Co or the Australian Government's NBN site.

National Cyber Security Awareness Week - 30 May to 3 June 2011

It's rolled around again! Championed by the Australian Government (and supported by big partners like the Australian Federal Police and iiNet), National Cyber Security Awareness Week prompts us to pay attention to online security risks and the simple steps we can take to stay out of harm's way.

To learn more, visit staysmartonline.gov.au and adopt some new online habits to better protect yourself. While you're working on your cyber security game plan, don't forget to visit the newly launched iiNet Online Safety Series. We've kicked off this month with a factsheet on Social networking for you and your teenager; and will be sharing new instalments on a whole range of online topics in the months to follow.

Security Watch

Cyber scams, swindles, frauds and hoaxes can come disguised in all shapes and forms - we're talking banking fraud, identity theft, pyramid schemes, lottery shams, phishing, Nigerian spam, pranks and more. They can be tricky to spot at first, so this month we're looking at another popular ploy making the rounds.

Fake cold call scam targeting iiNet customers

We've heard reports from customers about a recent cold calling scam. Phone fraudsters are either impersonating iiNet or offering a supposed "special deal" to reward iiNet customers.

While these cold callers aren't tricking people into allowing them to gain remote access to personal computers, they are trying to pull a swifty by phishing for personal information or asking customers to sign up for products under false pretenses.

Don't be fooled! As a general rule, iiNet isn't in the business of making cold calls. There are exceptions however, such as when we've detected unusual activity on your account.

If you receive a call and you're not sure, simply hang up. You have every right to say, "Thanks, but I'd prefer to call you guys back" and hang up. You can then call iiNet's Support Team on 13 22 58 to check if it's legit.

To learn more, visit SCAMwatch and read their info on Telemarketing scams. There's also more information from the ACCC on phone scammers.

If you're looking for extra homework, here's some extra links for supplementary information:

• Debunk or confirm shams with Hoax-Slayer or Snopes.com
• Learn from the experts at SCAMwatch and keep an eye on their SCAMwatch radar
• Pick up tips from our Discoveryzone on staying safe online

Tell us what you want from the BoBsquad™

Earlier this year we introduced folks to the BoBsquad™. Specialising in in-home installations for new broadband connections and providing tech advice on all things internet, our BoBsquad™ is made up of top iiNet Customer Support techies handpicked for the job.

Right now our BoBsquad™ is on the road and making house calls throughout sunny Perth. We're got big plans for the BoBsquad™ to rollout into Melbourne and Sydney very soon - so, stay tuned.

In the meantime, if you need a hand connecting your doovalackies to your thingamajigs, take a short time-out to help us answer a quick survey. We'd like to know what you're interested in getting help with and more.

Take our BoBsquad™ survey.

Our survey will be completely anonymous. However, feel free to share your email address at the end if you'd like to go in the draw to be one of the first in Australia to own a shiny new BoB2™. Survey closes 5pm WST Thursday 30 June 2011.

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