Are you considering setting up an online connection at your home or office? You've probably come across many types of different online connections during your search. You might even feel unsure of which one is the best one to choose for your family.

There are a few considerations to make before choosing an online connection. These include what is available in your area, installation cost, hardware required, the security it offers, and the connection speed available.

Online safety is probably one of your top concerns. This is where residential proxies such as those from Smartproxy can help you stay secure without limiting your connection speed. When paired with other security measures, such as firewalls, SSL encryption, and VPNs, you can ensure that your home, office, or business is secure when using the internet.

The Different Types of Online Connections

There are different types of connections available; they all work and connect slightly differently. It's important to remember that the connection type depends on what's available in your area and what your internet service provider (ISP) can provide. The technical terms can be overwhelming, but that's why I'm here to help.

DSL

DSL stands for digital subscriber line and is a form of broadband internet. It's a popular connection form that connects to the internet through a telephone line without requiring a landline.

There are two types of DSL: ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), which is ideal for most users, as it allows the users to download more data than they upload. The other lesser-known form is SDSL (symmetric digital subscriber line) which provides equal bandwidth for downloading and uploading.

Cable

An online cable connection connects to the internet through cable TV. Once again, you don't need a cable TV subscription. You just need the hardware that makes it possible. It's another type of broadband connection that's usually faster than DSL connections.

Aside from the speed, there are a few other considerations before choosing this option. The most important one is that it isn't available in areas where no cable television is available.

Satelite

A satellite internet connection is another form of broadband. However, for this connection, you don't need a telephone or cable TV line. Instead, it connects to the internet through satellites orbiting in space.

This connection method is slower than other broadband connections such as DSL and cable. Since this method uses satellites to provide connectivity, it can be affected by the weather.

Mobile (3G, 4G, or LTE)

These services are mostly used with mobile devices, although you can also use them to provide connectivity to your entire household. This may be a great option in areas that have cell phone connectivity but few affordable connectivity options.

This connection is slower than some of the other broadband connections but is available in areas with cell phone reception that don't have many other options.

Fiber

Fiber is one of the most popular options available, as it gives the fastest possible connections. However, it does require the installation of special fiber optic cables in your area to access. This means that it isn't available in all areas yet.

How To Keep Your Online Connection Secure

Aside from using your firewall and antivirus software to protect your online presence, there are a few other tools to consider as well.

SSL Protocol

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is a necessary protocol that provides strong security over different internet communications. SSL protocol provides a secure channel between two devices on the internet. If you're browsing the internet, SSL is crucial. It means the sites are secure and keep any of your data safe, which is necessary for online shops, banks, or any websites dealing with your personal information.

You can easily see if a website uses SSL protocols by looking at the URL. If the URL starts with "HTTPS," the S at the end indicates that there's a valid SSL certificate in place. Another quick reference is to look at the URL in the address bar. If a lock icon is present, it means the site is secure and has an SSL certificate.

Proxies

Proxies are useful as they're the intermediary between you and the website. Using a residential proxy can help you avoid geo-restrictions, protect your privacy, add security, avoid firewalls and bans, automate processes, and manage multiple accounts.

A proxy works by accepting connection requests from the user and then sending that request to the internet. The internet then returns a response to the proxy, who returns the result to the user. This means that the user isn't using his own IP address to access the internet but rather, the proxies.

Final Thoughts

The internet is a fascinating network that never ceases to astound. There are so many different online connections available, ranging from DSL, cable, and even fiber connections. The one that you choose depends on your needs and what's available in your area. You can further secure these online connections by checking SSL protocols and using residential proxies.