I am thinking of going to wireless for my home. How do I know if no one else is stealing signal other than my own household? Is there a way to block it off? Also what kinda wireless router should I look into?

If you don't want people steal your signal, turn on the WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and MAC Address filter from your router. This way you can set who has the access to your wireless network.

I will say go for D-Link or Linksys wireless router. Its depends on how fast you want and how much you are willing to pay for the setup up. You can get:

D-Link DI-524 54Mbps wireless G (I got this one) ;)
Linksys WRT54G 54Mps wireless G (most common)

OR for little faster

D-Link DI-624 Wireless Xtremeg Router 802.11G 108MBPS

OR for gamer

D-Link 108Mbps with Gigabit Ports for $146 if you have wired computer with gigaLan + Lan party. :devil:

Enable encryption then you are OK. To connect to your wireless connection you then need a key. Also disable SSID broadcast so nobody can pick up your wireless connection unless they have packet sniffers. Also disable remote configuration from the WAN side and change the default admin password! Amazing how many routers are totally open.

The Linksys WRT54G is a nice one, very tweakable.

use the WEP key on your router. Also entering 192.168.0.1 would open ur router's website, which allows you to check which computer is connected to your router.

I am a nooOB too though, so anyone know any better, please correct me.

you can also use mac address list. It'll only allow those that are on the allow list to have access to the router. Not sure if the routers still have this option though.

I see so how these compared?
D-Link DI-524 54Mbps wireless G
Linksys WRT54G 54Mps wireless G

I heard D-link tends to lose connections quite often?

I tried to read as many reviews as I could when I was shopping for mine and in the end I chose Linksys over D-Link for specific reasons--but I don't remember what they were :D. Anyway I have the Linksys WRT54GS and I'm happy with it.

I've had plenty of wireless LAN experience over the past few years, so here are some points:

- WEP will provide decent protection for home use, WPA is much better if all your hardware supports it.

- MAC address restriction lists are still supported on every router I have seen (that is quite a few by the way), and adds a little extra insurance, but don't rely on it without the encrypting security.

- Choose 'open system' for authentication since 'shared key' poses key-breaking opportunities to hackers.

- Change default passwords and ensure WAN-side management is off, as others have mentioned.

- I have heard of reliability problems with Linksys, and I personally had bad experiences with one of their earlier versions. Every manufacturer likely has a dud unit or two, so while I am biased against Linksys, you are likely not to have the same problems as I did. NOTE that every manufacturer is CONSTANTLY changing model hardware, even for the exact same model number - Linksys is probably at about version 8 or 9 (!!) of the WRT54 hardare internals. It is not uncommon to get a new model within 3 months of a previous one.

- I do have a bias towards Netgear equipment, I am currently using their WPN824 (108MBps with MIMO antennas), and it is a very good unit.

Mitch

Since we are on this topic, I have a question regarding of the networking myself.
I installed a D-Link wireless router at home, which connects to my desktop. I did everything I am supposed to, now my laptop can connect onto the internet but it can't network with the desktop. All I see on my laptop in the Network Places would be a D-Link icon which connects to the website. :(

chopchop:

You will typically have to turn file sharing ON within the desktop system, especially if you have a software firewall on that system. Be careful doing this though, share only what you need to, and turn sharing off when you are done for best security.

Skip the DI-524 and get at least the WRT54G.

I was thinking to get WRT54G since you can do more tweak. But the newer version get rid of free firmware function + less memory + DI-524 only $49.99. So I go for DI-524 instead. If you are normal user (not going to tweak the router), any router would be fine EXCEPT SMC. No matter what, don't get them PLEASE!!!!!

ChopChop:
Can both of your computer ping each other and see each other in workgroup computer?

I've used the SMC2804WBR, DI-524, and the Linksys WRT54G. IMO, the WRT54G has the most flexibility due to the third-party firmware it has. If you want to tinker with it, it's best to either:
a) Get an older version of the WRT54G (V4 or V3).
b) Or find the WRT54G-L (I believe) - which is the "Linux" compatable version of the WRT54G. The latest version (V5) is not Linux firmware compatable.

I find the DI-524 a little finiky and picky - especially with other wireless access points around. I have had no problems with my SMC, although I wish its signal strength was stronger.

LaterZ!
Darren!!

I got same SMC router you got Penphoe, plus I got the SMC PCI wireless card too. The funny thing is my SMC router won't work in my basement (drop signal, disconnect every 30min, etc.........) but it barely work if I move it up to 2nd floor. Even though I changed the antenna to higher dbi antenna, it improve a bit but still disconnect pretty often. That's why I got DI-524.

You might able to get V4 if you go to some local computer store. Like Penphoe said, you can use third-party firmware.

I think I have turned file sharing on before already, and it worked with my previous laptop which I exchanged for another model. As for the workgroup, my laptop was denied access to even view the computers in the workgroup. I believe the desktop could see the laptop in the workgroup, but somehow it cannot see the shared folders/files, neither could the laptop.

Sorry guys, I got to another question. When I am using my labtop at home, which is wirelessly connected to my router. Sometimes (not often), when I put my cursor on the wireless computer thing, I can see that the connection is exellent, but the Mbps has dropped from the normal 54 to like 36 or lower.

What causes this problem? Anyway to fix it?

Another vote for Netgear!

I've got linksys cards and routers that have worked flawlessly for over 5 years. I would avoid Dlink but the stuff is cheap so you could buy two if you wanted.
If you want ultimate security just unplug your ethernet cable out of the back of the router when not in use...

Sorry guys, I got to another question. When I am using my labtop at home, which is wirelessly connected to my router. Sometimes (not often), when I put my cursor on the wireless computer thing, I can see that the connection is exellent, but the Mbps has dropped from the normal 54 to like 36 or lower.

What causes this problem? Anyway to fix it?

You need to understand that the 'g' speed of 54Mbps is very short range - may not even go through a wall, so you'll have to be in the same room as the router to get that speed reliably. Some of the newer MIMO units (multiple input, multiple output - you'll see this externally as multiple antennas) help substantially extend the range of the higher speed levels. That is one of the reasons I like the Netgear WPN824. The Linksys 'SRX' units and others also have similar speed/range improvements.

Mitch

Thanks man, so maybe I need a better router.

***? Why do all you evil buggers secure your wireless?

When I first started doing up a car-pc I was always able to find wireless connections to use. Now I find more connections but very few of them allow me in without hacking. It's not so bad in Victoria where we have alot of coffee shops and hotels offering public wi-fi, but in Vancouver it seems like a lost cause.

So I say you run software firewalls on your PCs and leave the wi-fi running open. Until there's people parked all over your lawn milking free internet who cares? Hahaha! :D

Bump instead of having a new thread, I would like to add that I want to sell the wireless card I have on my PC

Wireless card info:
D-Link AirPlus G G802.11g/2.4Ghz Wireless 54Mbps

Used for about 1 1/2month but realize I have no use since I am back home with cable directly hooked into my PC

Asking price is $50 flat OBO comes with original box and packaging.

bumping up for sale

i have the same ques 2...