If You Are Not Wireless, Why Not???

Are you tired of wires stretching across your room to connect your desktop or laptop computers to the Internet? Maybe it is time for your home to go wireless. Senior technicians say that someone who is moderately tech savvy can set up his or her own home network.

There are A, B, G and new N-type wireless access points. But do not let that confuse you. All you need to know is the most common type right now because N is not widely supported yet. So, look for a G type access point. Linksys and NetGear are the most common brands of wireless routers and networks. Remember that a wireless network is not recommended unless you have a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL).

If your laptop already or desktop already has a wireless card, all you need is a wireless access point or wireless router, and some Ethernet cable. Most DSL modems are also routers, but if you are not sure about your modem, check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). In the rush to get your wireless network working, critical security issues are often overlooked.

Your wireless router acts as a basic firewall by denying access to your home computers, but once you set up a wireless network, depending on how it is configured, other computers can gain access behind the router firewall. At a minimum, all computers should be password protected and be running their own firewall software. Far too many people just plug the access in, get it working, and leave it at that. When it comes to computer security, you do not want to do that.