Monthly Archives August 2009

Securing Wireless Networks

There have been a lot of changes in the home Internet access market. In the early days, we had dial-up modems that would allow home computers to access the Internet. The advances in the modem speeds were slow and it was years between any increase in speed.

Now, there are many high speed Internet access choices are available: cable, DSL, satellite, and even using the electrical grid.

The problem is no longer how to get access to the Internet, but “how to get all of the computers in the home access to the Internet”. The answer: a wireless router.

Home wireless Internet access seems to be all the rage. Why, because setting up and getting the darn things working is so easy. Like magic, you can have all of those home computer surfing the Internet faster than it takes to burn dinner. Most Wireless Access Points (WAP) provide not only the rabbit-ear antennae for wireless devices (PCs, notebooks, PDA), but four or more real network ports for existing wired computers.

Wireless Access Points (WAP or just AP) are inexpensive, you have many choices, and they are easy to setup. They are practically Plug and Play – actually …

Wireless Router Home Install Notes

Most people purchase a wireless router because they have an existing home PC connected to a high speed ISP (Internet Service Provider – cable or DSL) and want to connect addition computers.  Common manufactures of wireless access routers include Linksys, D-Link, Belkins, Netgear and Microsoft.  Purchase a router with at least four “real” network ports (very little difference in price).

The wireless router is connected between the DSL/cable modem and the original home PC.  It will be connected to the cable/DSL modem and all other computer will connect to the router (wired or wirelessly). This usually entails unplugging the network cable from you existing home computer and connecting the cable to the wireless router’s WAN (Wide Area Network) or Internet port.  Then, your home computer will connect to one of the available network ports.  

The following are some comments, notes, and “lessons learned” that I have accumulated over the last couple of years concerning the installing and configuration of Home Wireless Networks. This is by no means intended to be an all-encompassing document.

Check the bottom of this article for link to how to secure your Wireless Router.

Cable/DSL Modems and the Wireless Router – …