Earthlink, Embarq and Paul Simon
John, I do not know whether this will reach you as a real live person or
maybe you are just a marketing name, but your message sure hit home. I have
not as yet gone to the web site you linked for me, but yes, I just had to
transfer to Embarq from Earthlink. While making the transfer I was offered
the “free” security package. When they told me I had to uninstall my Norton
Security Program first and I had no idea what the Embarq security program
would do, I refused to do this and stuck with Norton. Then I had no
spamblocker protection at all. However, Norton does not offer the features
of a spamblocker that Earthlink had and which I had been very satisfied with
for many years. So immediately I was deluged with spam messages because
they turned off my Earthlink Spamblocker and left me high and dry. I looked
at some commercial spamblockers on the internet but I was not satisfied with
any of them because they all promised the moon and there was no way to tell
if it would work. Most of them would require me to uninstall Norton
Security which I have paid big bucks for and have a subscription for two
years. So, I went back to Earthlink and found that they now offer their
spamblocker even if you are not using Earthlink internet. I tried several
times to download the program and install it but it would not work.
So, you pressed the right button with me. But what are you selling? And
will it work with Norton? I want to get something, but I do not want to
trial and error every spamblocker program that is available. The other
thing I cannot figure out is why Earthlink turned off my spamblocker when
technically I still have email messages coming through Earthlink?
Give me some advice please
- Randy, June 27, 2007 (name changed for privacy
Hi Randy, only I answer emails directed to John Napoletano. If I were to create a marketing name, would I need to think of something more exciting? I like the name Paul Simon, but it’s already being used by someone quite popular this week according to Google Trends.
I see now from your follow-up email that you migrated from Earthlink email to Embarq email. Most likely you’re in with the 750,000 Embarq DSL high speed internet customers who will need to adjust their Earthlink – Embarq relationship due to recent email contract changes. I believe the change started in April 2007, and judging by the October 31, 2007 forwarding deadline there’s a grace period for the migration. Embarq DSL high speed internet subscribers with email addresses ending in @eartthlink.net will be asked to migrate to @embarqmail.com.
As Embarq says on their email migration web page:
“Your Free Earthlink email will expire October 31, 2007. Not to worry! EMBARQ now offers an improved email service featuring unlimited email storage. Best of all, EMBARQ will save all of your EarthLink email, contacts, and folders and transfer them to your FREE new EMBARQ email account. Until October 31st, email sent to your old EarthLink address will be forwarded to your new EMBARQ address. Additionally, you can also choose to automatically notify everyone in your contact list of your email address change. Transfer to your FREE new EMBARQ email account by July 17, 2007 and you will be instantly entered for a chance to win $100,000!”
* Please note: you do have the option to retain your Earthlink email address for $3.95 per month. I’d call Earthlink sales or support and ask for an update on this Earthlink – Embarq email migration, prices and services may change at any time.
Randy, always remember that “Internet Access” and “Email” are two separate things. Just because you access the internet through Embarq DSL doesn’t mean you need to use their Email account services. Yes, Embarq DSL has an equally good free software package. I could give you 10 reasons why it’s good, and I could also give you 10 reasons why you should use hotmail.com, yahoo.com or gmail.com instead of either Earthlink email or Embarq email. But you have expressed that you like your Earthlink email address and spam blocker, so who am I to tell you not to use it.
Earthlink Total Access system requirements and sign up telephone number can be found on the Earthlink software download home page. I assume that once you sign up for Earthlink email, some form of email support will be given to you by Earthlink. Check the order forms or ask questions before signing up.
If you would like to stick with your Earthlink email address and Earthlink Total Access software, you still have to address your conflict between the two software packages. I don’t like to step in and override technical support for these issues. Technical support should know the ins and outs of their products better than me. I can only say that your high speed internet connection should not be dependent upon Earthlink nor Embarq’s software. In other words, you should be able to “opt out” of using Embarq’s software if that is what you wish. If you are able to do so (talk to Embarq directly, don’t take my word for it) then you simply auto forward all your Embarq emails to your Earthlink email account. You paid for Embarq email, so that account will exist as long as you have high speed internet service through them. Log into your Embarq email account on occasion to make sure the forwarding and settings are still working as expected.
Before you remove the Embarq Online Security software and undo what’s already been done, compare Earthlink Total Access to the Embarq Online Security package again. The Earthlink firewall offering is still unclear to me, so compare that to the F-Secure details on the Embarq FAQ pages.
Embarq has partnered with F-Secure who is one of the leaders in anti-virus and firewall software. The free Embarq Online Security software package now includes Virus, Spyware, Pop-Up, Spam, Content and Firewall protection. Frequently Asked Questions are available on the My Embarq website.
What’s my advice? If you like Earthlink Total Access then see if you can get back to the set up you had before the migration. If you like the Embarq Online Security software with firewall, give it a try for a while. With Embarq (and most email systems) you can control spam pretty well by increasing your sensitivity levels and by establishing filtering rules. I don’t have spam problems myself because I make adjustments as needed. Also, the service providers are getting better at moving mass produced emails to your junk box without your need to report them as junk.
I currently use Microsoft Outlook to retrieve my emails from MSN Hotmail and a dozen other email accounts I must access daily as a Webmaster. I pay $19.95 yearly to MSN, the benefit of which is that MSN Hotmail integrates well with all my Microsoft Office applications. I chat and video chat with family, friends, and business associates, and they always know when I’m online and how to reach me.
- Paul Simon (AKA John Napoletano)
After thoughts: see also my blog post for insight into wireless internet security which discusses both modem and software firewalls, two layers of high speed internet protection.
For those who didn’t know, you can check Earthlink email or Embarq email from anywhere in the world using the Embarq or Earthlink webmail log in pages.
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