How to Use Your Internet

CONNECTING YOUR INTERNET

Use an Ethernet cable, also known as a cat-5, cat-5e, or cat-6 cable, to connect your computer’s Ethernet port to the network Ethernet port. Note that while a telephone extension cord will often fit in an Ethernet port, it will not work properly – an Ethernet cable must be used. After you connect the cable, most Windows XP and Windows Vista systems automatically recognize and set up the Internet connection for you. If not, please consult the user guide for your computer.

After the Internet connection has been set up in your computer, you can access the Internet through a web browser such as Firefox or Internet Explorer, use an email program such as Thunderbird, Eudora, or Outlook, or use other software on your computer that requires an Internet connection, such as financial software or games.

SETTING UP A ROUTER OR WIRELESS ROUTER

If you would like to connect more than one computer to the Internet, you will need to supply and set up a router or wireless router. Many popular models by Linksys, Netgear, and others have been successfully used by Falcon Broadband customers.  The user guide for your router will provide detailed instructions on setting up the router to connect to your Internet service.

In summary, the network connection to Falcon Broadband (either the cable modem or the gateway) will be connected to the WAN (wide area network) port on your router, using an Ethernet cable. Then, additional computers may be connected to the LAN ports on the router. If you are using a wireless router, the wireless LAN will also have to be set up according to the instructions provided with your router.  The website of the company which makes your router may offer downloads of user guides and other information which may assist you in configuring your router. Please note that due to the thousands of
different models available, Falcon Broadband is not able to provide technical support for your router.  Please contact the manufacturer of your router for assistance.

E-MAIL SERVICE

To access your email, you may set up an e-mail client such as Outlook or Thunderbird on your computer or you may use Falcon’s webmail service.
Basic set-up information:

• POP3 server
• Incoming and Outgoing server: mail.falconbroadband.net
• User Name: your full e-mail address
• Password: the password established for your e-mail account.

Falcon Broadband’s webmail service may be used to access your e-mail from anywhere you have web
access. Just go to webmail.falconbroadband.net. Also, you may use the webmail access to:
• change your e-mail password
• set up filters for your messages
• set up forwarding of your e-mail address to another address
• set up automatic replies to your email messages

Your e-mail service includes spam filtering by Spam Assassin. This feature filters incoming mail, and deletes a large portion of spam. Some spam does get through this filter. If you believe that a non-spam message has been trapped by the spam filter, please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The spam filter does not filter out viruses. Experts recommend that you install anti-virus software on all computers that are connected to the Internet. Even with anti-virus protection, some viruses may get through. Always be careful with your Internet activities to avoid infection.