Blog - Softcom Internet Communications, Inc.

What is the FaceTime bug and how it affects iPhone users

February 1, 2019 Online Security, Tips and Helpful User Information

The news went viral this week when a FaceTime bug was discovered that made it possible to listen in on, or even see someone, during a Group FaceTime call, even if the person receiving the call didn’t pick up. There’s a temporary fix in place, with a permanent solution promised by Apple to be coming next week. Meanwhile, here’s how this happened, and what you should do.

How to pick the right internet service for you

January 22, 2019 4G LTE, Ask The Experts, General News, Tips and Helpful User Information

Everyone loves to clear out the clutter when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. Here’s a new take on that: Make sure you’ve got internet service that isn’t a mess by using our checklist to identify what it takes to make sure you’ve got the very best.

Understand your data needs

Activities like streaming, video conferencing and gaming will need a higher level of service than someone who just uses their computers for email and online shopping. If you have a home office or multiple devices that will all be online at once, this can also affect the level of service. Understanding this and discussing it with an experienced customer service representative will elevate your online experience asap. To learn more about connection speeds and choosing the right plan, read “What internet speed do I need.”

What internet speed do I need?

January 14, 2019 4G LTE, Ask The Experts, General News, Internet Service Area News, Tips and Helpful User Information

Signing up for internet service is easy. Deciding on the speed and level of service you want? That can be the hard part. Some of the most frequently asked questions we get are about understanding the difference in our 4G LTE plans, especially when it comes to connection speeds.

Here at Softcom, we don’t sell plans based on data usage because we offer true unlimited data for our customers, no matter what plan they choose and without affecting the speed of service. Other companies don’t do this, and in fact will reduce connection speeds once their customers exceed their set data caps within a billing cycle. Depending on how much streaming or data-consuming work is done from the home or office, this could result in a week or two of fast speeds, followed by frustratingly slower connections until the billing cycle resets.

How to find the best rural internet service provider for you

December 4, 2018 Internet Service Area News, Tips and Helpful User Information

If reliable internet is a priority, then finding the best provider and services near you should be too. If you live in Galt or communities throughout Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties area, we’ve got you covered. If you’re from outside our service area, though, and want to find the best options for you, here’s some tips.

When people want to find an internet service provider for rural areas located nearby they often sit down at the computer and type in the search “internet service provider near me” or “rural internet services near me.” That’s a good place to start and likely to get you a list of results in your area. But narrowing it down even more is essential.

The next thing you need to do to find the best provider to fit your needs is to focus your search even more. Some people try to do this by searching for “best rural internet service for me” or “best internet provider for me.” That’s OK, and you might even get some good results worth looking into, but there are more steps to be taken after that using the power of your mind and not Google.

How to tell if you’re a victim of a phishing scam (and what to do)

November 27, 2018 Online Security, Tips and Helpful User Information

Tis the season for lots of emails sharing news of sales, specials and fantastic deals. But are they all on the up-and-up? It’s easy to overlook phishing emails, and possible you might accidently click on a link that could cause trouble. If you’re suspicious – good! A healthy dose of distrust can be healthy, especially when dealing with emails and texts you’re just not sure about.

What exactly is phishing?

Email phishing tricks readers into clicking on links that either download malicious software to their computer, or capture user names, passwords and other personal information to illegally access personal or financial accounts.

Your NaNoWriMo survival guide

November 19, 2018 General News, Tips and Helpful User Information

If you ever dreamed of writing a book, now might be a good time to finally get it done. Why? November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo to those in the know) and there are some amazing resources online to help you get it done.

The beauty of NaNoWriMo is that we’re not just talking about writing the next great American novel here. You can work on any writing project such as a family history compilation, a charity cookbook, or a children’s book. Business owners and entrepreneurs can create ebooks or guides they can sell or give away that support their business by attracting potential clients or customers.

How Facebook’s recent hacks affect us all

November 13, 2018 Community News, General News, Online Security, Tips and Helpful User Information

Stolen passwords, illegal hacks, election fraud – this may sound like a crime drama, but what we’re really talking about here is a short list of Facebook’s recent troubles. With more than 2.23 billion monthly active Facebook users around the world, even if you’re not using Facebook it’s very likely that someone in your home or part of your family is. And the troubles that Facebook has been going through highlight the importance of protecting your information no matter what you do online.

Softcom mythbusters: Real truths about rural internet service

November 8, 2018 Ask The Experts, Community News, General News, Tips and Helpful User Information

You may think you know your internet, but much of what is passed about as truth is often out of date or even pure fiction. As the premier provider of high-speed internet service for rural communities in Central California, we thought it was time for some debunking.

MYTH: With unlimited plans I get the speeds I’m promised

While other carriers offer unlimited plans and super-high speeds, there are hidden limitations that can affect what you really get. Data may be unlimited, but speeds are not guaranteed. Only a certain amount of data per month is guaranteed to be delivered at 4G LTE speeds. As of March 1, 2017, Verizon / AT&T caps it at 22 gigabytes; T-Mobile at 28 gigabytes. After you go over your 4G LTE cap, you are eligible to be “deprioritized” for the remainder of your billing cycle and your connection reduced to “3G speeds.” We know this can be confusing, so we’ve provided the information you need in this article, “The hidden limitations of unlimited plans.”

How the internet can help cut down on screen time

October 30, 2018 Community News, Tips and Helpful User Information

As the days get shorter and nights get longer, you might notice an increase in your family’s screen time. While epic gaming and binging Netflix are OK now and again, too much time staring at a screen can be damaging for everything from health to mood to even relationships. Technology may seem like the culprit here, but there’s no need for a full digital detox. We’ve rounded up a few easy alternatives for using the internet that can entertain, educate and improve your life – all without staring at a screen.

California vineyards and high-speed internet – a perfect pairing

October 23, 2018 4G LTE, General News, Internet Service Area News

How technology can help make a better wine

It takes a perfect synergy of elements to make a great wine. The right kind of soil, perfect weather conditions, healthy grapes and a productive harvest are all part of the process. While winemaking has been around for centuries, and vintners still depend on many traditional methods to make a great wine, technology is making inroads into vineyards and proving its value in helping to make a better wine.

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