Broadband technology such as DSL and cable modem connection has contributed to the growing number of home PC threats. This threat affects users of other operating systems as well. The 'always on' and no 'connection setup' waiting features which are much preferred by users actually make this kind of connection more susceptible to attacks. Though, a user has closed the browser and works on other applications, somehow the connection is still on and is visible to outsiders. 

The risk of an unsecured DSL connection is an unauthorized access from the Internet to a host on the local network (on the LAN side of the DSL router/modem). The "shared-medium" topology of a cable modem is more susceptible to risks such as packet sniffing and unprotected windows sharing than DSL connection but many of the other threats to home users PC apply to both DSL and cable modem access. However, this does not mean dial up connection is totally secured and does not pose any threats.