What makes internet service great? Fast speeds. Uninterrupted internet surfing. No data caps. A friendly voice on the other end of a 24/7 tech support line.
With MidSouth Fiber Internet, there’s another notable perk most subscribers aren’t aware of. Every account with MidSouth Fiber’s Gigaspire router has an added layer of network protection called ProtectIQ.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, one in three homes with computers are infected with malicious software. Additionally, 47% of American adults have had their personal information exposed by cybercriminals.
Those staggering statistics shouldn’t be ignored. So much of our lives and daily routines are intertwined with the internet. Personal information is plastered across our social profiles, credit card numbers are saved to our digital wallets, and the increasing number of connected devices in our homes make us easy targets.
ProtectIQ’s invisible network shield scans for threats in real time. It analyzes for viruses and ransomware and terminates the transfer of important information before it’s delivered to an attacker.
More than 96% of MidSouth’s internet subscribers take advantage of the Gigaspire router in their home. Each time the router’s software recognizes and neutralizes an attack, subscribers are notified by the MidSouth Fiber app.
In the past 30 days alone, ProtectIQ has blocked 53,000 intrusions, web threats and viruses. That’s an average of five threats per month for each customer using MidSouth Fiber’s high-speed internet service.
William Graves, MidSouth Fiber network operations manager, is no stranger to the internet service provider industry. In his 13 years as a data analyst and network engineer, Graves hasn’t seen an ISP offer this degree of coverage at the consumer level.
“Most internet providers make sure their network is secure, but I’m not aware of any offering subscribers protection at the residential level,” Graves says.
In addition to ProtectIQ, MidSouth Fiber’s free app puts more control into subscribers’ hands.
“Our ExperienceIQ technology helps our members protect their families,” Graves said. “It allows the account owner to filter apps, websites and content for loved ones.”
The MidSouth Fiber app, available on the App Store and Google Play, packs multiple beneficial features into its platform. ExperienceIQ allows account owners to sort devices by family member. Devices can have unique screen time limits, scheduled bedtimes and content restrictions. Safe search filters and the ability to review usage history mean parents can have peace of mind as they allow children and teens to use the web.
The advanced technology also allows subscribers to view and remove connected devices and create a guest Wi-Fi network to further protect their personal network.
ProtectIQ and ExperienceIQ are included in the cost of a subscriber’s monthly internet package. Brandon Northcut, vice president of technology, said MidSouth Fiber made the decision to include the technology for an improved subscriber experience.
“Our focus has always been to provide members with a quality service, whether it’s electricity, water or internet,” Northcut said. “We give each member the same experience instead of making ProtectIQ and ExperienceIQ an additional charge.”
Gamers, streamers and remote workers value MidSouth Fiber’s high-speed internet service and benefits. With multiple speeds to choose from, starting at $64.95 per month before tax, there are packages to fit every family’s needs.
