free modem and free connection offer extended
Did you know about our free connection and free modem offer with a 24 month contract on iibroadband2? Well if you didn't, you're in luck. Due to popular demand we've just extended the offer. So if you're considering upgrading to broadband, you have some more time to think, look at your options and decide whether iibroadband2 is right for you.

We've also extended our free connection offer on all 18 month contracts for iibroadband2.

VoIP Update
You might have noticed the VoIP FAQ in the April edition of iiNews. Well I'm happy to inform that VoIP is almost here!

For those of you who missed it the first time, VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol and it's been heralded as the next big thing in phone communication. Using the power of the Internet, VoIP is able to deliver cheaper call rates than conventional phone services. We've been hard at work developing this technology to better suit our customers and you can be sure that when it's ready, you'll be the first to know.

five things you may not know about computer security
1. One of the first known computer viruses was actually a computer game in the 1960s called Core Wars. Interestingly, perhaps out of guilt, the creators of the game also created the first antivirus, an application named Reaper, which could destroy copies created by Core Wars.

2. Believe it or not, the latest threat to computer security is zombies. Zombie computers are those hijacked by external hackers then used for a variety of illegal purposes such as sending spam. Users are usually unaware that their computer has been zombified.

3. The number of internet messenger attacks such as viruses, worms, and other scams has increased from 20 for all of 2004 to 571 in the second quarter of 2005. Source: IMlogic Threat Center.

4. Pop singer Britney Spears has edged out Bill Gates as the celebrity most commonly associated with malicious software distributed via e-mail. The top five also included Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Osama Bin Laden. Source: PC World.

5. "Phishing" is an internet scam that uses spam to direct Internet users to Web sites that are controlled by thieves, but are designed to look like legitimate e-commerce sites. Users are asked to provide sensitive information such as a password, bank account information, or a credit card number, often under the guise of updating an account.

steps to better protect your PC
Use anti-virus software - Perhaps this is a given, but you can never be secure unless you've got updated anti-virus software checking your emails. iiNet provides free anti-virus and anti-spam email protection to all members but we advise people to use this in conjunction with a personal anti-vius product, such as Norton Antivirus, to protect your computer from downloadable viruses and infected disks.

Stay informed about the latest virus threats - subscribe to a virus mailing list like Sophos for up-to-date information on the latest virus threats. Check out our virus alert section below for the monthly top five threats.

Consider using a firewall - firewall software can protect you from external hackers accessing your computer by placing a virtual wall between you and the Internet. Check out our competitions section for details on how to win one of eight copies of Norton Personal Firewall.

Be smart and watch what you download - I'm as guilty as the next person of this. The Internet can still be a safe place to surf as long as you always consider that viruses do exist and you are vulnerable. Take common precautions such as not opening any unfamiliar attachments and disabling your preview pane if you are using Outlook.

Backup your data - Make regular backups of important work and data, and check that the backups were successful.

customer service update
Once again our Customer Service staff have had a busy month handling in excess of 100,000 customer interactions for the month of July.

As our client base grows, so does the need to ensure our customers are being answered quickly and efficiently and as a result we are recruiting once again. During August we have 17 new staff starting at our Perth Contact Centre which now brings the number of Customer Service Staff to just over 200 and over 400 for the entire iiNet, Ozemail and ihug group.

Our new staff will spend their first three weeks completing an induction program with review training conducted weekly for a four week period.

Currently plans are underway to consolidate our call centres by linking them together under a virtual call centre model. Whilst still in its early stages of development, the project will create a virtual queue across our contact centres. In busy periods calls will be routed to the first available staff member able to take your call, reducing waiting times and increasing the level of service for our clients.

When completed, this project will utilise more than 450 customer service staff across Australia and New Zealand, all committed to providing the very best in service.

customer feedback
Mike in WA sent us these kind words after talking with our Support Team:

"I'm no tech wizz so I really do appreciate the patience shown by the iiNet Support Team during what must seem to them, the most simplest process. Thank you once again."

And from June in NSW who recently dealt with Tim, a member of our Support Team:

"Because I am hard of hearing Tim spoke carefully and slow. This is my first day on broadband and at 72 years old, I needed Tim's reassurance and guidance, Thank you."

top five viruses for July

1. W32/Netsky-P
2. W32/Mytob-AS
3. W32/Mytob-BE
4. W32/Mytob-EP
5. W32/Zafi-D

List provided by Sophos

DSLAM expansion
Work on our DSLAM architecture is always in progress so check the DSLAM rollout schedule to see if a DSLAM is coming to your exchange soon.

anti-virus and anti-spam faq
How effective is anti-spam?
This network-level solution, provided by Symantec Brightmail, will prevent approximately 99.999 per cent of these email messages from reaching your account. Symantec Brightmail offers the best accuracy rate in spam filtering technology, which means that less than one in every one million email messages has the chance of being incorrectly filtered.

How does anti-spam work?
As a default, spam messages sent to your account will automatically be deleted before reaching your inbox. You have the choice of turning iiNet's email anti-spam filter "on" or "off" at any time. If you would prefer, you may also choose to tag and receive all incoming spam messages.

What is iiNet's email anti-virus?
iiNet's email anti-virus filter will automatically scan your incoming email messages for common viruses, Trojans and worms. If a known virus is detected, the email will automatically be blocked. You can also choose to tag these messages if you prefer.

Why would I want to disable iiNet's email anti-virus?
If you're like most people, you don't want to receive annoying spam messages or dangerous email viruses. However, if you have a desktop solution that you prefer to use or you just like to filter your email yourself, then the "modify" or "opt out" option is available.

Is the email anti-virus 100 per cent accurate?
At the rate that new viruses are developed these days, no anti-virus solution can guarantee 100 per cent accuracy all the time. However, we've provided you with a free industry leading service from Sophos that is automatically kept up to date with the latest virus threats.

What level of protection do I receive?
This solution will protect your email account from harmful viruses. However, it does not protect your computer from viruses that can be passed on from other sources, such as infected disks or Internet downloads. It is recommended that you use iiNet's email anti-virus filter in conjunction with a personal anti-virus product, such as Norton Antivirus, to fully protect your system.

staff profile
Name: Rebecca Moonen
Title: Senior Customer Service Representative - Business Improvement Team

How long have you been with iiNet and what roles have you had?
I've been with iiNet for 5 years now starting during my university years as a "part timer" and staying on after graduation. Back in the day I would work Friday's at the old iiNet shop at Karrinyup shopping centre which operated as an Internet cafe, but also sold a wide range of irrelevant iiMerchandise (iiNet bath towel anyone?) I've worked in Customer Service (both sales and support), in the Marketing team, as part of our Applications group, and in Human Resources. Earlier this year I started in the Solutions Team which later became Business Improvement.

What does your current role involve?
My current role in Business Improvement involves resolution of escalated complaints made to the TIO (Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.) As part of our continual quality improvement strategy, all complaints and customer feedback are reviewed to identify the "core issues" behind them. We take these issues, break them down, and see if there is a better way to get things done. Hopefully this leads to happier customers!

What's been your most memorable or satisfying experience at iiNet?
I'll still always remember my first support phone call - hands trembling and voice shaking, I answered the phone, only to find out in an anti-climax that it was a wrong number! I'm also part of iiNsanity - iiNet's social club, but sadly, what goes on tour, stays on tour! It's a cliche I know, but at the end of the day, it's amazing to come to work with such a group of diverse and talented people.

customer profile
Name: Graham Hills
Account type: iibroadband2 light, bundled with iiphone
Customer since: 1997
Location: Kensington, WA

What do you use the Internet for most?
I mainly use the Internet for communicating with friends and family around the world. It's great to be able to jump online and be able to chat with someone you haven't seen for ages. I also play online games a bit on the Xbox or PC. I'm currently working full time, but studying part time so I use the Internet for research a lot. I also spend a lot of time just surfing the net.

Talk us through your home Internet setup.
We have a broadband2 light account with a wireless network set up with the Apple Airport Extreme and Airport Express for wireless music. My Xbox also connects wirelessly to the Net. We have a PC set up in 'the study' and a laptop that we can use anywhere in the house or outside if it's a nice day.

What are the best aspects of your internet connection?
It's all about the speed! Having a fast connection is awesome and having a wireless network set up at home means we can get on the net wherever we feel like it. It's also great for when you get a few mates around for a few network games and everyone needs to download the latest patches and drivers. No more cables!

Any upcoming Internet technologies that you are looking forward to?
I think VOIP will be cool - it will be great to talk to people friends and family around the world over the net and save some money on long distance phone calls, although I can't complain about the iiphone rates.

Norton Personal Firewall giveaway!
To help you better protect your PC we are giving away copies of Norton Personal Firewall 2004 for Windows.

To be in the running for this prize, please email competitions with "August Firewall Competition" in the subject line, and provide your iiNet username, full name, and address by 5pm WST, August 24, 2005, along with the answer to this question: What is the official brand name of iiNet's free anti-spam protection software? (hint: you'll find the answer in a story in this newsletter or on our website)

Winners with the correct answer will be drawn at random and prizes sent by mail.

Constantine DVD giveaway!
To celebrate the release of Constantine on DVD, our good friends at dstore - your online department store - have kindly passed on to us copies of the DVD to give away to readers.

To be in the winning simply email competitions with "August Constantine Competition" in the subject line, and provide your iiNet username, full name, and address by 5pm WST, August 24, 2005, along with the answer to this question: What is the name of film that Keanu Reaves caught his first tube in? (hint: It starts with "Point")

Winners with the correct answer will be drawn at random and prizes sent by mail.

2 minute games review - Battlefield 2
with Niaal Holder

I've played some difficult games in my time. From the day I broke my master system control, whirling it around my head and singing expletives at R-Type, to more recent forays into anger management with the hilariously impossible Ninja Gaiden, I am the font of knowledge for all that is challenging.

Enter stage right, Battlefield 2. Not a hard game in itself, and not especially original - but take it online at your peril...kids these days are frighteningly accurate.

A first person shooter set in mock present-day conflict scenarios, BF2 is a finely polished nugget of online gunplay, explosions and bravado. Play with the measured patience of a camouflaged sniper on the hillside, or (as I did) with the measured violence of rocket-toting "show me a front door and I'll kick it in" tank killer. Aside from legging it round the turf trying to explode noobs, you also have keys to various cars, tanks, helicopters, boats and jets for added vehicular hilarity. Suffice it to say I've crashed them all in the name of victory.

Playing online, you start to notice the realism a little more - I'm not talking about battle physics here, I'm referring specifically to what would happen if my bad self was ever actually placed in a wartime situation: hide, get shot a couple of times, lie down and rest in peace. From my experience, BF2 truly is the next generation of 'lie on your back and stare at the sky' simulators, so frequently was I put on my butteaux in the heat of battle.

If I had a gripe, that would be it - you kids are too freakin' good. Starting out online, I got owned, with a capital P. And without mentioning the key mapping, with its distinctly anti-left-hander restrictions, I can't fault the game otherwise. Nice visuals, nice sound blah blah blah... run out and get your copy now - and keep your eyes open kids, I've got a car bumper with your name on it.

Available now at dstore

DVD of the month
Constantine - Rated M

Hell wants him. Heaven won't take him. Earth needs him.
Based on characters from the DC Comics/Vertigo graphic novels Hellblazer, Keanu Reeves plays John Constantine, a disillusioned hero who walks the fine line between heaven and hell delivering justice to demon spawn the only way he knows how - with a gun shaped like a crucifix. With dazzling special effects and more than enough Keanu-inspired dialogue to entertain a Point Break appreciation party, Constantine is a fine walk through hell.

Available now at dstore

album of the month
Jamiroquai - Dynamite

'Dynamite' is the long-awaited sixth studio album from funk-meisters Jamiroquai. A high-octane, super-charged slab of feel-good, filthy funk-rock, 'Dynamite' is a consolidation of 13 years of Jamiroquai's trademark sound mixed with some unique new directions from the lads. Features the single 'Feels Just Like It Should'.

Available now at dstore

movie review
Sin City - Rated MA

Super slick, super ballsy and ultra violent, Sin City is the glorious product of one director's inventiveness and a graphic artist's extreme devotion to his life's work. Sin City is the adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novels of the same name. The movie, like the novels, is a testosterone charged tale of tough guys and lethal women, of desperate characters in a grimy dead end town that's just a few good cops short of self destruction.

Using a stylized black and white film technique, Sin City captures the gritty look of the Frank Miller novels perfectly and is perhaps the closest that film will ever get to a successful comic book adaptation. Director Robert Rodriguez worked hand in hand with Miller throughout the film's production and the result is a movie faithful both in spirit and look to the source material and yet successful as a film in its own right.

The film follows three separate storylines; that of little Nancy (Jessica Alba) and her hero cop Hartigan (Bruce Willis) who fights through pain and persecution to protect her; of love struck Marv (Micky Rourke) - a monstrous thug fixed on exacting revenge for the death of the only woman who ever showed him affection; and of Detective Dwight (Clive Owen) and his attempts to aid a group of Old Town prostitutes deal with one dead cop and a slew of mercenaries come to claim their turf.

Not just a technical showpiece, Sin City is brutal, clever and definitely the most exciting film experience to hit cinema screens in recent memory. But be warned, the characters in this town don't talk pretty, and negotiation usually plays second fiddle to the heat of a gun. Colour in Sin City comes from the geysers of yellow, white and red blood vented from its various characters - and there's more than enough here to classify it as technicolour.

But if you can handle the red stuff, you're in for a treat.

iiNet - providing Internet and phone services all over Australia. This email was authorised by the GM Marketing, on behalf of iiNet. Postal address: Locked Bag 16, Cloisters Square, WA 6000. If you wish to unsubscribe to future iiNet newsletters, you can do so by visiting https://toolbox.iinet.net.au/