Hacker's Delight

Cable modems are a speedy way to surf, but they're vulnerable--unless you protect youself

I know what gadget I want for my birthday this year. It's the same thing I've lusted after for a couple of birthdays now, and I'd trade in all the socks, ties and humorous cards about aging if only I could have it. Unfortunately, I can't, because it's a cable modem--which lets you traverse the Net at about 20 times the speed of a 56K modem--and cable-modem service is very spotty right now. In Manhattan, for example, I'd have to live between 59th and 67th Street, or in the ultra-hip East Village. Service will arrive in my slightly less hip corner...

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