A firewall is a program or a device that blocks unauthorized access to your computer(s)/network, such as viruses, identity thieves, and hackers. Companies also use firewalls to control employee connections to the Internet and information being transmitted from their computers and network. In a nutshell, a firewall is like a computerized security dog that watches incoming and outgoing traffic and decides whether to allow a connection/interaction or not.  

There are several different types of firewalls and they all do the same thing: protect your computer from intruders. So, it's very important to keep your computers firewall turned on and have an active antivirus program.

To learn how to turn your firewall on or off on a Windows computer, check out Microsoft’s how-to guide.

You will either have a rainbowtel.net or carsoncomm.com email address, depending on when you became a Rainbow customer.

The settings for RAINBOWTEL.NET email customers are:

• Incoming Server (POP/IMAP): mail.rainbowtel.net  (POP = 995, SSL enabled;   IMAP = 993, SSL enabled)
• Outgoing Server (SMTP):  smtp.rainbowtel.net (465, SSL enabled; server requires authentication)

The settings for CARSONCOMM.COM email customers are:

• Incoming Server (POP/IMAP): mail.carsoncomm.com  (POP = 995, SSL enabled;   IMAP = 993, SSL enabled)
• Outgoing Server (SMTP):  smtp.carsoncomm.com (465, SSL enabled; server requires authentication)

The email username will be in the format: username@rainbowtel.net or username@carsoncomm.com

Before you begin, you will need to have the following information:

• Your Rainbow Email address and password
• The email settings for your rainbowtel.net or carsoncomm.com account

Rainbowtel.net email customers settings

• Incoming Mail Server: mail.rainbowtel.net (POP = 995, SSL enabled; IMAP = 993, ssel enabled)
• Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.rainbowtel.net (465, SSL enabled; service requires authentication)

Carsoncomm.com email customers settings

• Incoming Mail Server: mail.carsoncomm.com (POP = 995, SSL enabled; IMAP = 993, ssel enabled)
• Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.carsoncomm.com (465, SSL enabled; service requires authentication)

Next, follow one of these instructions on how to set up your smartphone

For iPhone users

1. Go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars
2. Click Add Account
3. Select Other > Add Mail Account
4. Type in your name, email and password. The description will autofill.
5. *Type in your name as you want it to appear in your outgoing messages to recipients.
6. Click Next
7. Under the “Incoming Mail Server” box for the “Host Name” type in “mail.rainbowtel.net” or “mail.carsoncomm.com” depending on your email address. For “User Name” type in your email address in the following format username@rainbowtel.net or username@carsoncomm.com
8. Under the “Outgoing Mail Server” box for the “Host Name” type in “smtp.rainbowtel.net” or “smtp.carsoncomm.com” depending on your email address. The User Name and Password is optional, however, we suggest going ahead and typing it in. Again, using the following format for the User Name username@rainbowtel.net or username@carsoncomm.com
9. Click Next. It will take a few minutes to verify the account information.
10. Click Save

For Android users

1. Click on the email icon on the home screen.
2. A box will pop up with 4 more icons, click email again.
3. Once it’s opened it will take you to the account setup. Type in your email and password and click next.
4. It will check the incoming and outgoing server. Once it’s authenticated it will take you to account settings. You will have the option of the frequency you want your email to check for more messages. The default is 15 minutes. Keep in mind, the more frequent it checks for emails, the faster your battery will die.Click next.
5. The next screen will have your email address and it may ask you to type in your first and last name as you want it to appear when sending an email. Click next.
6. It will say “Waiting for sync”. Once the sync is complete your email is ready to use.

If you require additional assistance setting up your email, please contact our technical support at 800-892-0163.

Most routers have instructions on the manufacturer’s website that will explain how to set router passwords.

If you are renting a router from Rainbow, follow the links below for instructions on password protecting your router:  

• For the Linksys N900 (EA4500), check out this article and this one. For more information, check out the Linksys EA-Series User Guide.
• For the Linksys E1200, check out this article. For more information on this router, check out the Linksys E-Series User Guide.

If you are renting a router from Rainbow but it is not one of the models listed above, then you are probably using an outdated router that should be replaced. As technology changes, older models have slower connection speeds and can cause issues with Internet delivery.

For more information, contact a Rainbow Customer Service Representative at 800-892-0163.

Password protecting your Internet connection is a good precaution to take.

For starters, password protection helps eliminate the possibility of hackers accessing your system and prevents unwanted file sharing. If you don’t have a password set up for your router, hackers can use your connection for illegal activity, which would register on your IP address.

Also, without password protection, anyone close enough to get your signal could access your Internet, causing your devices to run slower.

Providing customers with the best Internet service possible is our goal. However, Internet performance may vary due to conditions outside of our network control. Therefore, no minimum level of speed is guaranteed.

Conditions affecting speed may include: customer location, physical equipment limitations, network congestion, server or router speeds of websites accessed, inside wiring or telephone conditions.

Check your connection speed

Having multiple devices (computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs, Blu-ray players, video game consoles and streaming set-top boxes) in daily use by several family members can easily max out your Internet service and make it seem like it’s running slow.

For help determining which Internet plan is right for your household, check out our blog of give us a call at 800-892-0163.