From support of a SOHO to advanced video teleconferencing, there are many potential uses for DSL and other broadband applications. Although DSL and other broadband technologies offer greater data access rates at a relatively low cost per user, drawbacks to broadband access also exist. The system is not portable and is difficult to install. Broadband is not ubiquitous and may be expensive for small numbers of users. Security One selling point of broadband is that a connection always exists on the Internet.
Continuous access eliminates the downtime associated with dialing in via an analog modem.
However, the convenience of a continuous connection does not come without a price. Unfortunately, that price is a lack of security. Continuous connections make computers vulnerable to hackers and snoopers. However, because broadband connections are continuous, they tend to use static IP addressing. Cable modems have an additional vulnerability.