Keep Your Cell Phone Private

            Many people do not realize that the same radio frequencies that are responsible for making cellular phone communications easy are the same elements which allow outsiders to invade their privacy.  Radio frequencies can be intercepted, private information can be swiped through a cellular phone Wi-Fi connection, smart phones, like a computer, can be hacked. 

These techniques are used by stores and retailers to track customers’ whereabouts and purchases.  Individuals can also hack onto phones in an attempt for identity theft.  Even the government uses your signal to collect incriminating or personal data without your knowledge.      

            There are, of course, some prevention techniques that a person can utilize to protect themselves.  First and foremost, one should never give out information to anyone who calls you or notifies you of needing your personal information such as a credit card or similar sensitive information, especially over a cellular phone.  Sometimes though it can be necessary to update payment information for a bill or order a new service, then a land line should be used to handle this type of business.  In fact, there are huge benefits gained from the use of a land line in respect to maintaining privacy.  In a world where one's phone number is requested by businesses on a regular basis, it is better to provide a land line number and keep one's cellular phone for personal calls, thereby reducing interruptions and reserving cellular phone use for people you actually want to speak with.  In other words, if you want to keep your cellular phone number private, choose to keep your land line.  If you want to save money on your land line, contact National Access Long Distance.

E9-1-1: Can You Trust It?

            Most people do not know the differences between 911 and E911 (Enhanced 911), and just how important some of those differences are.  In fact, while E911 services carry some obvious benefits, consumers who are concerned about safety should consider maintaining a landline telephone service, for the safety of their families.

            Basic 911 services, in terms of a landline, usually means that when an emergency call is made, the system automatically reports the telephone number and location to a 911 operator, serves as a dispatcher. A phone call made to 911 with a landline is extremely reliable and accurate with location.  However, what about 911 for cellphones?  Basic 911 services in this case could result in one of three ways: the 911 center gets no information, it only gets the cellphone's number, or the center gets the call back number and coordinates with a POSSIBLE location.  This last one is the least likely, which is where E911 comes in.          

             E9-1-1 services are utilized by cellphone companies and VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) phone services.  This service is meant to rectify the problems caused by basic 911.  With E911, the consumer's billing address is stored in a database so that when an emergency call is placed, that call is automatically routed to the emergency center that corresponds with that location and the information is displayed on the dispatcher's screen.  This means that if the call is incomplete, disconnected or if the caller cannot speak, then emergency services still has a location to go to.

            While E911 answers some of the issues raised by wireless communications and emergency services, there are, in fact, still a number of problems.  The addresses stored as the consumer's location must be updated any time that customer moves, changes their number or adds numbers, otherwise, emergency services may go to the wrong location.  Furthermore, in the case of VOIP services that require broadband connections to operate, if the power is out or the broadband connection is down, then no 911 services are available.  The same holds true if your Internet service gets cut off due to any type of technical difficulties. Obviously, E911 services are far from perfect and may not be available in times of an emergency.  For this reason everyone should seriously consider maintaining a landline for the safety of their families.  If you want to save money on your long distance service, contact National Access Long Distance.