Network connection and security

my desktop crashed so now i have my dsl router connected to my wireless network. my wireless connection is open and i want to know what i can do to lock it from others. i have internet connection thru my laptop because of my wireless card, but everyone else can also use the open network. what can i do to secure it from my laptop. thanks in advance for all your help.

 

There aren't enough characters in this block to talk you through securing a wireless network but here are the main goals or objectives

1. Do not broadcast SSID !!!!!
2. turn off DCHP and use static
3. MAC filtering !!!!!!!
4. use WEP or even better WPA encryption, WPA2 is a newer version but I havn't read that much on it yet

no wireless network is 100% seucre but these steps alone will keep hackers and freeloader at bay.

Someone please give him a good link--- I dont have an all in one available

 

Assemble a Freeware Security suit for Internet Connection Protection.]

If you doing it through Wireless, first configure the Router, then configure the Laptop, and restart.