Question re: Linksys security

[JCM298]

I am a "newbie" to computers. Because of circumstances, I was forced into using a wireless setup for my Dell laptop. By carefully following instructions, I managed to install a Linksys router and the system has been working fine for months. I use the laptop and my wife uses the PC at her desk in her home office. The router is located on the second floor of the house and reception to/from my laptop is excellent.

Today, while talking to one of our computer geeks, I learned that I have no security and there is a chance that my system can be used for "war driving", whatever that it. He suggested that I use the security in the router but I have no idea how to do it. I did manage to find a Linksys icon and put it on the taskbar.

I checked the system and found that WEP is disabled. Is that the security setting? When I opened it, I found two settings and I was prompted to choose one. Since I had no idea what would happen, I exited out of the area and left it alone.

Can somebody explain how to set up security? Just remember, I neither speak nor understand "computereeze" but I can follow directions that tell me to click here, there, everywhere.

Should I just leave everything as is and continue in total ignorance? I use this "devil's device" to read gun forums, read and send e-mails, order things from on-line vendors, etc. Neither my wife nor I use it for banking or business.

Thanks for your time,

John

[Washington,D.C.]

This is useful for wireless security http://www.netstumbler.com/

[Washington,D.C.]

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1428

[Washington,D.C.]

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1428&page=5

[SamBuca]

Originally posted by Washington,D.C.
This is useful for wireless security http://www.netstumbler.com/
Um...yeah ;Q

JCM...

What brand Linksys is it?

Enable 128-bit WEP key encryption. It'll ask you to type in 26 letters or numbers (A-F and 0-9...make it random). Write that down and then save the changes. On your wireless device, Windows will ask you about connecting to the available wireless networks....then it'll ask you for the key. You'll have to type that big string of stuff in twice. Viola...secure network.

If you wanted to be REALLY secure, you could hide your SSID and enable MAC filtering...but that's unnecessary right now. WEP encryption is an easy and secure solution for you.

[JCM298]

Thanks for the replies and info. I'll give it a try,

John