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Beware of “Fully Loaded” Streaming Boxes

Beware of “Fully Loaded” Streaming Boxes

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You may have heard of “fully loaded” streaming devices, such as vSeeBox and SuperBox, that stream live channels, movies, sports, and on‑demand content over the internet. While they often market no monthly fees and lifetime access, these devices may create security and legal risks for you and for our network.

What You Should Know

These boxes have much more than meets the eye.

The network of hardware and software to make them work is complex. While software on the device can be preloaded by the manufacturer with the legitimate app store, it may also be preloaded with up to several hundred unapproved applications. The apps then connect to illegitimate or illegal IPTV video streams, providing the advertised “lifetime subscription.”

They can slow down your internet.

Connections through these boxes use a peer-to-peer protocol, which means that devices are on a decentralized network and can share directly with each other, often many at the same time. Peer-to-peer connections consume upload bandwidth; by taking up your upload bandwidth, the box can create complete congestion on your internet connection.

You could end up in legal trouble.

Keep in mind that bypassing required subscription, encryption, or authorized access can be illegal in both civil and criminal jurisdictions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that some internet-connected devices can be compromised and used by criminals as part of residential proxy networks or botnets. When this happens, your internet connection may be used to route malicious or illegal activity without your knowledge. Your TV could be end up being used for cybercrime.

Be especially cautious of devices that offer free access to premium television, sports, movies, or other subscription content, require apps from unofficial sources, or instruct you to disable built-in security protections. The FBI identifies these as common warning signs.

Your online security is also at risk.

You could be taking on potential security risks through the device associated with your specific individual account. Superbox and Vseebox rely on unofficial apps from unknown sources, creating a risky environment for the user.

Malware can be shipped with the device, or easily downloaded from illegitimate sources because they bypass traditional Google Play. These applications can steal usernames, passwords, financial information shared with the “service,” usage, and other unencrypted information. Some applications will also attempt to move across the home network to other devices including laptops, tablets, and phones.

What You Should Do

To help protect your home network:

  • Purchase streaming devices from reputable manufacturers.
  • Download apps only from official app stores.
  • Keep devices updated with the latest software and security patches.
  • Review devices connected to your home network and remove anything suspicious.
  • Use caution with free VPN services and unknown applications.
  • For more information, you can visit the following resources:

https://www.fbi.gov/…/home-internet-connected-devices…

https://us.norton.com/blog/security-tips/are-superbox-and-vseebox-legal-and-safe

https://www.fbi.gov/…/evading-residential-proxy…

Thank you for helping keep yourself, your home network, and your community’s internet services secure.

Choose SRT Fiber Internet this Earth Day

Choose SRT Fiber Internet this Earth Day

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Fiber: The Friendliest Internet for Your Community and Planet

SRT Fiber is the most advanced technology you can choose for your Internet connection, able to handle your online activity like no other technology before. But did you know it’s also the most sustainable choice you can make for your home or business?

True to our 75-year History of Innovation, SRT replaced old copper cable with high-performing fiber optics throughout our service area. More than a service provider, SRT cares about your community. Our fiber internet not only works better than any other option; it’s actually better for your home, your town, and our earth!

Big on Speed, Small on Carbon Footprint

Fiber internet, known for its high speeds and capacity, is also a champion of environmental friendliness. The core of this technology uses light to transmit data, which is more energy-efficient than the electrical data transmission used in traditional copper wires of broadband. This efficiency stems from the reduced energy loss in fiber-optic cables, ensuring that data travels longer distances with minimal degradation.

Less Hungry for Energy

A key factor distinguishing fiber internet in its environmental impact is its significantly lower energy consumption. Studies indicate that fiber-optic networks consume up to 70% less energy than conventional copper networks. This substantial reduction is attributed to the efficiency of data transmission and the minimal heat generation by fiber cables, which in turn lowers the need for cooling systems, a major consumer of energy in data centers and network infrastructures.

Longer Lasting, More Durable

Fiber optic internet uses glass fibers capable of transmitting data at speeds up to roughly two-thirds the speed of light. Unlike traditional copper cables, fiber optics maintain signal strength over long distances, ensuring consistent performance. Fiber’s more durable physical composition means it consumes fewer resources and generates less waste. Fiber is also less susceptible to weather and electromagnetic interference, making it more reliable and less prone to frequent repairs or replacements. Other key features of fiber optic internet include symmetrical download and upload speeds, high bandwidth to meet high demand, and future-proof infrastructure that can take on additional data demands and technological advances.

Key to Smart Rural Communities

As a Smart Rural Community (SRC) provider designated by NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association, SRT delivers cutting-edge, high-speed fiber so our members can live rich lives in their own communities. Our SRT Fiber internet supports smart initiatives that help communities, large and small, leverage technology for efficient use of their local energy and resources. We are committed to promoting innovative economic development and other important services, and fiber is central to that commitment.

SRT Fiber delivers green, smart service that creates a productive and sustainable environment, whether you’re in your living room, office, school, or the great outdoors! Happy Earth Day.

SRT Voted Best Internet Provider 21st Straight Year in Minot Daily News Readers’ Choice Awards

SRT Voted Best Internet Provider 21st Straight Year in Minot Daily News Readers’ Choice Awards

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SRT is proud to serve the Minot community and, once again, humbled that our valued customers and Minot Daily News readers have voted us Best Internet Provider.  

Your confidence and trust inspire us every day to find new and better ways to serve you.  

The Minot Daily News “Best of the Best” contest gives readers the opportunity to nominate various types of businesses within the region. After the nomination period, there is a voting round. Readers may vote online once per day for their favorite business within the specific categories. Once voting has closed and votes have been counted, one winner and two finalists are announced for each category. 

Thank you to Minot Daily News and your readers!

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – How Can I Manage What Ads I See on Facebook?

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Question: Sometimes I get irritated by the ads that show up in my Facebook feed. What can I do to manage them?

Answer: Below is information from the Facebook Help Center.

View and adjust your Ad preferences:
  1. Click your profile picture in the top right of Facebook.
  2. Select Settings & privacy, then click Settings.
  3. Click Accounts Center, then click Ad preferences.
Note: Not everyone will be able to access this setting in Accounts Center at this time. If these steps don’t work for you, try updating your app or go to accountscenter.facebook.com on your web browser.

From here, you can select Customize ads or Manage info. In the Customize ads tab you can:
  • See your ad activity
  • Manage your ad topics
  • See the ads you’ve saved
  • Review advertisers you saw ads from
In the Manage info tab you can:
  • Manage information from your profile used to show you ads
  • Personalize ads based on your Activity information from ad partners
  • Choose if you get ads shown by Meta in other apps
  • Choose who can see your social interactions alongside ads.
Note: Changing your ad preferences influences which ads you see, but it won’t change the total number of ads you see.

Hide ads from an advertiser:
  • Click in the top right of the ad and choose Why am I seeing this ad?
  • Next to Hide all ads from this advertiser, click Hide.

TUTORIAL/FAQ

TUTORIAL/FAQ

Short Tutorial/FAQ – What Are the Downsides of 5G Home Internet?

Download Graphics to View Question: I’m hearing big promises from 5G home internet. What are the downsides?

Answer: As the saying goes, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Some customers who switched to 5G home internet are feeling buyer’s remorse for these reasons:
  1. Service is less stable. Signals for 5G travel through the air rather than in cables underground, and speeds tend to fluctuate more often.

  2. Actual speeds are often slower than advertised ones. Factors such as network congestion, buildings and other obstructions, and inclement weather can slow down speeds.

  3. During peak usage times, your connection may be deprioritized. This is because 5G home internet is a connection shared by many users.

  4. The farther you are from the radio towers, the weaker your internet signal will be. Since 5G home internet uses radio frequencies, the travel distances of the signals are limited.

  5. 5G home internet isn’t as good as fiber internet. Fiber is the fastest, most reliable internet available.