Speakeasy, Inc. Communications Simplifed

Speakeasy Newsletter: January 2002

Dear Speakeasy Members,

It's time to kick off the New Year! January's news includes:

Speakeasy Neighborhood Watch: Free 3-day Trial of MyFirewall
We can't stress strongly enough how important it is to keep your computers protected on the Internet, and to that end, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our new add-on service, MyFirewall. Speakeasy is the first ISP to offer a service of this kind and we have extensively enhanced a powerful Centralized Neighborhood Watch Server to provide your computers with superior intrusion defense.

Utilizing technology from Internet Security Systems (http://www.iss.net/), MyFirewall provides centralized security control, customized & round-the-clock protection, and totally automatic service updates! The tool is simple to use and easy to maintain, with an almost transparent download and installation. The cost of this essential service is $4.95 per month and it features a free 3-day evaluation trial.

With centralized security control, each participating system reports all activity to our central server via a "heartbeat." With this information, Speakeasy is able to take proactive steps in identifying and isolating threats anywhere on our network. The more members that utilize the service, the more useful it will be to all of us, so we urge you to sign up.

Want to know if your system is currently at risk? We recommend visiting The DSLReports Port Scan Tool located at

http://www.dslreports.com/scan
This scan will quickly assess your machine's vulnerability to malicious attempts to violate your privacy and compromise your computer. If the scan exposes potential points of vulnerability, we strongly advise you to join the Speakeasy Neighborhood Watch Program by downloading the MyFirewall service.

You'll find more detailed information, including system requirements, in MySpeakeasy's "My Speakeasy Services: Add Services."

Please note that this service is intended for residential and/or SOHO customers and is most probably not an adequate solution for businesses. We are presently working on developing a managed firewall service for businesses, which we anticipate launching within the next few months.

More Bandwidth = More Efficiency: New T1 service offerings
We now offer true business T1 services with the best prices in the industry! Check out our Business Services page for more detailed information on either fractional (384k or 768k) or full (1.5MB) T1 packages.
http://www.speakeasy.net/business
As T1 technology is not distance-sensitive, it's the perfect solution for anyone who is too far away from their Central Office to support anything other than IDSL service yet is interested in a faster connection.

Counter-Strike 1.4 Beta: Speakeasy Members first in line!
As part of Speakeasy's ongoing relationship with Valve Software, we invite and encourage all of our broadband subscribers to participate in the beta of a new game content delivery system we are building on the Speakeasy Network. All Speakeasy broadband subscribers will recieve priority in demoing the first application that will utilize this system, Counter-Strike version 1.4.

Please sign up for this beta at

http://beta.valvesoftware.com
If you have already signed up for the beta, then you are all set! You must use your Speakeasy username/email address to recieve priority on this.

Haven't ever played Counter-Strike? Here's your chance! You're eligible to take part in the beta even if you've never previously installed the game on your machine.

As backgrounder on Valve Software, Valve develops entertainment software. In November 1998, Valve released its debut title, Half-Life, which has since won over 50 Game of the Year Awards from publications around the world and sold over 2.5 million units worldwide on the PC. Counter-Strike is the most popular modification of Half-Life, with more than 80,000 people playing it every night.

Rhapsody: Streaming music geared for broadband
The Speakeasy Music Network is excited to offer Rhapsody, a FREE, broadband quality streaming radio player that you control right from your computer desktop. Use that high-speed Internet connection the way it's meant to be used! Rhapsody gives you a wide selection of CD-quality streaming music that you can listen to while you work or play at your computer.

To learn more about Rhapsody, to download the FREE streaming radio player, and to try out a 3-day trial (also free) of the on-demand music subscription service, check it out at:

http://music.speakeasy.net
Rhapsody offers a huge selection of professionally programmed, commercial-free radio channels in all music genres that you can listen to for as long as you want, free of charge, and with no obligation to opt-in for the on-demand music subscription service. For a low monthly fee, the on-demand service enables you to choose exactly which artists and songs you want to hear, when you want to hear them.

Credit Card Process Upgrade: Is your billing address up to date?
On Monday, January 28 2002, we will be transitioning to an improved credit card processing system. This upgrade will provide added security to the identity verification process and enhance system capabilities.

On or before Friday, January 25 2002, please verify that the billing address information we have on file matches that of the billing address on your credit card's monthly statement. Your MySpeakeasy My Online Profile will reference the billing address we have on file and will allow you to add or change this information if incorrect.

Address verification prior to January 25, 2002, is especially important for customers with accounts presently setup for Autorenewal. During the credit card verification process, a card will be rejected if the address associated with the card number submitted does not exactly match the address your credit card company has on file.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and will be sending reminders to all customers with accounts presently setup for Autorenewal to avoid any processing errors.

Cash! Cash! Cash! Let us reward you with our Referral Program
We're working hard to provide each of you with a stellar broadband experience. Instead of pouring money into advertising campaigns, we want to route cash back to you via our awesome referral program. Earn $25 for each residential-class referral and $50 for each business-class referral! For full details, login to MySpeakeasy and check out "Referral Program."

Thanks for tuning in and we wish you a Happy New Year!

The Speakeasy Crew
800.556.5829
http://www.speakeasy.net/myspeak