2025 has flown past. We have seen some big changes at Cape Connect - package adjustments, a new self-service management system (still ongoing), network expansion and upgrades. And here we are, 2 months away from 2026.

You don't want to miss our December newsletter next month... We have a fantastic prize lined up, plus a couple of extra freebies over the festive season.

Windows 11

With Windows 10 support officially stopped in October, your system may be urging you to throw money at a lot of new stuff, or trying to force you into apps and VPNs you've never used. This may lead to absolute chaos with your internet connection, as we have seen with a few clients. If you are unsure as to what you need to do, our support team is available for advice.

Do you work full-time from home?

If you do - please tell us by completing a short survey. We're working on something just for you, but we need to know who you are and what you do.

Tech Talk

I WAS HACKED!!!

Before Cape Connect existed, I was your average home user in a residential complex Somerset West with neighbours mere metres away. I had a Telkom ADSL line with a WebAfrica prepaid connection. It was use-based, and would auto top-up if I ran out, with a notification SMS sent my way as it went through the system.

I worked in Stellenbosch. No-one was using the internet while I was at work, but suddenly I started getting SMSs that I had run out of internet, that a top-up had gone off my bank account... nearly every day. There was no way it was actually me using that bandwidth - I had been hacked.

But how?

Simple. I knew nothing about securing my wifi. I had not changed the default password that came with the router, I had not locked down my service to my device MAC addresses or made any attempt to increase security. Quite frankly, I had not known I needed to.

So one of my more dodgy neighbours had simply helped himself to my internet. I found this out after Cape Connect started providing services in that complex. When offered a connection, he innocently said "oh, I don't need that - I just use the neighbours' internet". Gotcha.

I learnt my lesson - with help from my current expert we managed to lock down that wifi signal and stop him in his tracks before too much damage was done. Wifi security has been a priority ever since.

Let my experience be a warning to my readers. Tech savvy may not be your strong point, and there are "skelms" out there.

But we are here to help. We have many many years experience in internet services, in securing wifi, and in protecting your home or business network. For basic home security, we have a quick-guide you can download from the Knowledgebase page on our website, especially as year-end cyber attack attempts increase. Our network is secured at source before it even reaches you, preventing DDOS attacks and other nasties. We've previously mentioned a Carte Blanche exposè on why not to use illegal TV boxes and back-door streaming services - please stay away from these for your own safety. We can help you to change your wifi password if this has been leaked to the neighbours by someone in your household. We can assist with making sure you know how your home network works, how the internet works, and what risks are out there. If you need help, please contact us via our regular support channels.

From the Archives

If you own either a Land Rover or a Toyota, you will know all about the friendly rivalry between these brands. A few newsletters back I introduced Olivia, the Series III Land Rover who helped build Cape Connect.

So it came to pass that one not-so-fine day we needed to 4x4 up a muddy mountain to go fix something. We were not the only ones - a massive Cape storm had taken out equipment on many towers at the top of the mountain. There was quite the queue of technicians slipping and sliding their way up the slopes. The main road had washed out with packed clay and deep, deep holes. We slid sideways into many of them - making for some white knuckle brown pants scenarios - but we finally managed to get through and up the mountain.

One of our associates decided to try a different route and jump the queue. He ended up thoroughly stuck up to his axles in a very soft field. But we were prepared! We had a gigantic tow rope (because Land Rover) and could see him from the top of the mountain in his Toyota, stuck in the mud. I gave him a call to let him know I'd be down in about an hour to tow him out.

Well he was having none of that. There was no way he would let a Land Rover extract him from anything! We were only half-way down the mountain when he magically made a plan and struggled himself out of his hole, pride intact.

Many people go offroading for fun. When you do it for work, it's a completely different story. It is very very easy to end up in sticky, muddy, extremely dangerous situations - like this chap did on a different mountain recently (not one of ours).

Shot of the month

We're often out on site at very odd hours and in very strange places - but this means we get some awesome views. Here's this month's picture perfect shot.

If you're participating in Movember - may the hair-growing deities be with you. (Ladies - feel free to give it your best shot too :-) )

Michelle Bainbridge

Chief Internet Artisan

Cape Connect Internet (Pty) Ltd

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