Similar to AOL, MSN provides dial-up services, but it is not the focus of their business. They seem to be focusing more on their free services such as Bing. However, this ISP does still provide normal dial-up as well as dial-up with an accelerator. MSN internet services come with a few additional tools such as Webroot Spy Sweeper, a McAfee personal firewall, a connection center and a simple photo editor and organizer.

During our tests, MSN was able to provide a handful of dial-up access numbers in all eight of our test locations. They also provide dial-up services in all U.S. states, including Hawaii and Alaska as well as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. However, they provide few access numbers; for example, we only found two numbers for Miami and two for San Diego, which is extremely low for such highly populated areas. As mentioned, they also provide accelerated dial-up services. Though keep in mind that no services, including MSN, can guarantee speeds since accelerators cannot speed up the loading of all webpages such as encrypted and secure pages like those utilized in bank and shopping sites. Dial-up accelerators also cannot speed up streaming media such as video or music.

This internet service comes with McAfee Personal Firewall Plus for security. This continually updated software works with McAfee VirusScan and can block suspicious outbound and inbound traffic. This software also has a gaming mode for uninterrupted gaming; however, keep in mind that a dial-up connection is too slow for playing complex online games. MSN dial up also comes with Spy Sweeper for MSN. This security software scans for known spyware threats and blocks them from infecting your computer. For added security, it also has a service called the Microsoft Phishing Filter that will help block you from fraudulent websites and login pages. They do offer a product called MSN Premium, but this is not an internet service – it is a subscription to a collection of MSN tools.

You can try your first month of MSN dial-up free and then they charge your credit card once a month until you unsubscribe. Services are available to new members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Just keep in mind that access is limited to availability.