Static IP

With an up to 8Meg connection are there any disadvantages in having a static IP address rather than the changing dynamic type.

Jack

I think there is a security issue although if you have both a hardware and software firewall and antivirus, anti-spyware, etc you should be okay ?

To be honest if you don't have all those security features it only takes a few minutes to get problems if on a dynamic IP address, so a static is not a disadvantage in that respect.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

To be honest if you don't have all those security features it only takes a few minutes to get problems if on a dynamic IP address, so a static is not a disadvantage in that respect.

Ok I stand corrected

I have had static IPs whenever I can.

The reasons normally for dynamic are:

spammers (either a static IP gets put on a spam list by accident and can be difficult to remove or a spammer themselves wants to be able to switch ips regularly).
downloaders of illegal material who want to keep switching IP
people who use services that may block IPs for over usage and want to switch iPs to release any blocks

I don't believe it is security and personally much prefer fixed. In the new world of IPV6 (if it ever happens) it is most likely everyone would have fixed as dynamic is essentially a workaround for limited address space.

Oh I do hope you are right Ian.

I don't know why, probably all the reasons you stated, but I MUCH prefer a Static IP, but unfortunately, they are not available yet on TT FTTC setups. Which is a real pain.
I knew that my old IP that I have had for several years had no black marks against it, whereas if I check any of the "new" dynamic IP addresses that are now passed my way by TT they have at least 3 different black marks !!!