How do I establish a secure wifi for my personal home usage?

Question

How much dose it co$t?Who do I call?Please leave a detailed answer,Im the most computer illiterate person on Earth!

Note Im wanting to obtain internet access at minimal cost and resource,I dont have a telephone,or cable.I simply have a wirless laptop..need to work with what I have..any suggestions?

Answer 1

you need to buy a wireless router, and a network card.
you look for a usb network card or if a laptop, an internal one.
when you find one compatible, get a wireless router. you connect your modem to the wireless router.

go to http://www.amazon.com and enter the keywords wireless router,
wireless card.
a router costs about $50 and card, $30

Answer 2

Cable Internet connection - $40.00 per/mo
Wireles Router - Netgear is good - $60.00
Wireless Network Adapter for PC - $50.00

If you know nothing about setting it up, your best bet would be to go to Bestbuy, purchase the items with help from a sales person. Have the Geek Squad go to your home and install everything for you. It will save a lot of headache on your part. It's not difficult, but it can be tricky doing it correctly.

Answer 3

I'm sorry if this looks TOO long but I've included general directions from my many experiences setting up wireless networks in the past. If you have any questions e-mail me.

First off you need a high speed connection. That's easy. Cable or DSL Will do great for this. Nothing fancy. DON'T USE DIALUP!

Next you will need the hardware. With the highspeed you will have a cable coming into your houes and that will connect to a small box called a modem (this is not to be confused with the old external dialup modems, this is a highspeed modem). This modem if you don't go wireless would connect either directly to your PC or to a router (then from the router to your PC). For wireless connection you will need a WIRELESS router. It will connect the same way to the modem, however will not physically connect to your system. The routers typically run from $70-$200 (200 is top of the line)

Next you need a wireless card. If you have a laptop check with your documentation to see if you have a wireless card already. Most new laptops have intergrated wireless cards (meaning they are built into the system). If you don't have one you will have to buy a PCIMCIA wireless card. This is generally easy to install. Follow the directions to install the card (typically install the software and slide the card into the PCIMCIA Card slot). Cards can be around $50-$70 (you don't need it if you have an internal card).

Once you have these VERY important things you are ready to set up the wireless connection (including security). I suggest for hardware when you are buying to go with D-link or Lynksis. They tend to have the easiest setup (all are generally the same setup, but the software on the two I suggest are easy to follow).

Typically you want to connect the computer to the wireless router (you need to do this only for the initial setup), run the CD and follow the steps. This will establish a BASIC and UNSECURED wireless connection. Once you do that check your documentation on how to log into the router to set up the security. I suggest going with WEP 128 Bit encription and MAC address filtering. WEP is the easiest to set up and MAC address filtering adds extra security for your network, but can be complicated. I only suggest MAC address filtering for those who understand it.

To set up WEP, you usually have to go to the advanced (or Wirelesss Advanced) tab when you are logged into your router. Select WEP, Select 128 bit (it will be defaulted to 64 bit). It will ask you for a WEP pass phrase. This can be anything. type something in and click generate. In the blank boxes below you will get 1-4 different alphanumeric codes (at 25 digits in lenght). Highlight this with your moude and copy it to notepad or word (you will need this later for your card setup). Click enable (or OK). The router will restart. You then go to your start menu, then controll panel and then select network connections. Right click on wireless connections and select properties. Go to the wireless network tab. Click the Add button. This will open a new window. It will ask you for your SSID. The SSID is the name of your router (depending on the initial setup you may have made up your own SSID). Put that ID in (it IS Case sensitive). Select your WEP settings and uncheck the box that says "Obtains WEP Key automatically". You will then have two boxes appear. Copy that key I todl you to copy to word or notepad. Put it in those two boxes and click OK. Now your WEP is set up, along with your network.

Answer 4

I would try checking local publications for contract computer "experts" to come set it up for you. Check your local electronics store also.

As a last resort, www.craigslist.com, choose your city then Services > Computer

Answer 5

what internet type conection would you like to use

Adsl broadband is mine a set me with a router

im me on yim if you have it mybe able to help you out

redandwhitestokie is my yahoo messenger id

Answer 6

if you want something secure i would go with WPA or WPA2 authentication. WEP is old now and very easy to break.