Posted by Tom61 on 29, 2001 at 6:51 PM:
"Telco lines already have effective 'whole house' surge protection
at the premise interface (TNI or NID box) that is semiconductor based"
3 out of 4 computers that came into my computer repair class were damaged by lightning through the telephone lines, so that isn't very correct. Newer boxes do indeed have circuitry that will keep small spikes out, but these are nothing to even an indirect lightning strike, plus alot of homes have older boxes (my house did until we had a second line installed).
The most effective way to prevent damage to your computer from lightning going through the phone line is unplug it when a storm approaches. A good surge protector might protect from an indirect hit, but why chance it? Unplugging is the most effective way to prevent damage to any electrical device.
"You want surge protection? Then buy a quality surge protector. You want
insurance? Buy it from a broker who must conform to federal insurance laws."
I agree with this fully, if the worst happens its better to have a good home owners insurance instead of a lump of fused plastic...
Overall I say the thread is correct, though a bit of a soap box.