Internet service changing, really bummed :(

[mawhite63]

Just venting here, but I'm sort of bummed.

I just found out that the internet service in our apartment building is changing. Right now all apartments each have their own individual accounts with Comcast, which means we all have our own unique IP addresses. I'm really happy with Comcast and have only once had an outage.

I just found out that they're changing service providers to Direct TV next month, and the entire building is going to share a wireless internet account. I really don't like that. First off, I'm concerned about security. I don't like being on a wireless service that I'm not administering.

Second, what if someone else in this complex is a Fusion Cash member!?! 

This is a huge complex with hundreds of units, and I don't even know one fourth of the people who live here. If there's another Fusion Cash member here, I'm worried about both of our accounts. I'm actually afraid that there might be, because I leave my Fusion Cash referral business cards in the laundry room and by the mailboxes

I'm going to try and find out if there's any way I can keep my Comcast account, but I don't have my hopes up. I guess maybe I'll wait until after the internet switchover, find out what my new IP address is, and then maybe send a support ticket to Fusion Cash to ask them to see if there's anyone else logging in from this building.

The only other thing I can think of is we may be moving, so then this will all be a moot point. I was just really bummed to learn this today.

[thetotalfool]

That's a real problem, I don't blame you for wanting your own account.  That's a big mess waiting to happen.  Been there, done that.

[wickedimpulse00]

That is quite annoying, but even though everyone would have the same ip address the last set of digits would be different for each computer that's connected to that internet.

[mawhite63]

That is quite annoying, but even though everyone would have the same ip address the last set of digits would be different for each computer that's connected to that internet.

Thanks, this is what I'm wondering about. Say the building gets Direct TV's internet access, and just as an example the IP address is 1.2.3.4. But then the internet access is going to go through a router which will be at 192.168.1.1, and every apartment will have a different last number on the 192.168.1.x network.

But out on the internet's side, we'll all still appear to be coming from 1.2.3.4. I was searching the forum and there was another thread where someone else went through something similar, and they went with an Aircard service. That's something I'm going to look into.

Other than just Fusion Cash, there are a few other sites I belong to that have a "one user per IP" rule. Not only that, I'm just really wary of security.  I just don't want to share internet on a network I'm not in control of. Exploits happen faster than the anti-malware companies can keep up with, and even though I have my security settings locked down pretty tight, there's still so much I don't know about security. 

This all may be a moot point if I can still keep my own Comcast service, which hopefully I'll find out today. Otherwise, I'm still researching aircard internet services like Verizon or Sprint.

[Gerianne]

I am waiting for an independent company to come to my  area - Fort Myers, Florida. They have wireless service in a number of states in the country. Search for "Clear"

[vb543]

You are right, you will all have a different Internal IP address but you will probably all share the same external one. There are not many other things that you can do other then getting a new ISP.

Do you all have your own landline phone number?

If so, you can get a separate DSL line just for you. DSL goes over the telephone so if you all have different numbers you should have your own IP address.

I currently get my Internet through DSL and pay about $20 a month for unlimited access. 

If you don't have a landline phone you could also purchase a wireless hotspot for a cell phone provider. These work off of the cellular infrastructure and should give you your own IP address.

Another less drastic idea would be to just send FusionCash a support ticket and explain to them your situation. They may just understand and allow your account to share that IP address.

Hopefully some of this helps, if I get anymore ideas I will let you know. One of my favorite hobbies is computer networking and the Internet so I am happy to help!

[mawhite63]

You are right, you will all have a different Internal IP address but you will probably all share the same external one. There are not many other things that you can do other then getting a new ISP.

Do you all have your own landline phone number?

If so, you can get a separate DSL line just for you. DSL goes over the telephone so if you all have different numbers you should have your own IP address.

I currently get my Internet through DSL and pay about $20 a month for unlimited access. 

If you don't have a landline phone you could also purchase a wireless hotspot for a cell phone provider. These work off of the cellular infrastructure and should give you your own IP address.

Another less drastic idea would be to just send FusionCash a support ticket and explain to them your situation. They may just understand and allow your account to share that IP address.

Hopefully some of this helps, if I get anymore ideas I will let you know. One of my favorite hobbies is computer networking and the Internet so I am happy to help!

This is awesome advice - thank you! I'm going to head downstairs to the office after I'm done with my earning activities and housework, so I'll know more then. 

Most of the people in the building had their phone through Comcast as well, so I'm not sure what they're going to do about their phones. We don't have a landline; we just use our cell phones. So I'll check with TMobile too.

I am waiting for an independent company to come to my  area - Fort Myers, Florida. They have wireless service in a number of states in the country. Search for "Clear"

Thank you so much! I'll add that to the list to research.

[southernhorizons]

The bad thing about an air card through your cell phone provider is that it is usually expensive, especially if you get the unlimited use. I looked into it, before I got my satellite internet, and it worked out to over $100 an month, with all the outrageous taxes. Although maybe it is cheaper in some areas.

[vb543]

I am waiting for an independent company to come to my  area - Fort Myers, Florida. They have wireless service in a number of states in the country. Search for "Clear"

I have hear of clear. Some of my friends have it and they say it works well. The only problem is that it is not available everywhere

[mjdoug03]

That doesn't seem right!  That's a lot of people sharing an ip address.  I'm sure if you message fc and tell them what's going on, you can figure something out.

[mawhite63]

I have hear of clear. Some of my friends have it and they say it works well. The only problem is that it is not available everywhere

I googled it and the price is awesome, but sadly it's not available in my area. I've looked into a few aircard options but the pricing is just ridiculous. I did find out that I can't keep my Comcast internet, hmm. I'm also looking to see if there's any such thing as a low cost VPN service, that will not only give me my own unique IP, but also address my security concerns about being in a building with shared wireless access, which I'm feeling really vulnerable about. This article really scared me:

http://www.networkworld.com/community/blog/firesheep-firestorm

[lbeery]

I never lived in an appartment....well not for 35 years or so, so never thought about the internet service being communal. I have my own lovely yard art satelite dish, then the other one for the tv and another one for the other computer link.  It is just a pain to be connected to the world these days. Expensive too!

[ancmetro]

      I have a similar problem where I live because it is an old building!  Try Clearwire (company) internet services- No cable needed! Just plug in their box in a wall outlet. If you have a lap top, you can always go to: McDonalds, Barnes and Noble, your local library or any other outlet that has WiFi.

[mawhite63]

      I have a similar problem where I live because it is an old building!  Try Clearwire (company) internet services- No cable needed! Just plug in their box in a wall outlet. If you have a lap top, you can always go to: McDonalds, Barnes and Noble, your local library or any other outlet that has WiFi.

Awesome! Thank you - I'll check Clearwire out... I had looked into another service with a similar name, but they didn't have coverage in the area.

I don't think I can do Fusion Cash at a McDonalds or Barnes & Noble, etc. because of the terms & conditions

Users must log in and use FusionCash on their own personal computer and internet connection only. The use of a FusionCash account on a public or shared computer, or public internet connection is grounds for disqualification.

But I'll definitely add Clearwire to the list of places to check out - thanks for the lead!

This thread is full of the most helpful people!

[mawhite63]

Well, all in all, the internet change was a moot point because we did move, so I'm back to my own personal comcast internet account.

The building I was living in switched to an unsecure shared wireless internet connection, and it was the pits. It was slow and unstable, plus I didn't want to log into anything at all because it was unsecure. It was a drag going a few weeks without FusionCash, especially because when the switchover happened, I was only $0.30 away from being able to cash out LOL!

But now I'm in my new place with my own internet, so I was finally able to get back on and cash out. Cashout #4 requested!

Thanks again for everyone who gave the suggestions.