How do I secure my wireless network?

I have a Linksys router that connects my laptop to my desktop (both Windows XP). Every morning, I have to rename my Network and change my channel so that I can receive email. I clicked "View wireless Networks" and I saw 5 of them there. One of them was mine and it said "Unsecured wireless network" while 3 of the others said "Secured Enabled." I live in an apt. building and it seems like I'm picking up others networks. Is it possible that I have to change my network name and channel so often because others are using my wireless??? How can I secure my network? Thanks so much for your advice. Stephanie

 

Have you tried talking to Linksys? I have a 2wire modem/router, Linksys wireless card for my laptop, and Netgear PCI card for my other home computer, and the way I have it set up, is by using the encryption key (on unit). When I had originally set it up though, Linksys wanted me to have some setting (on my laptop) some way (I don't remember), and when I talked to 2wire, they told me no, that I should use the key, that way my network is secure. anyway, g/l - sosaman

 

Somewhere in your WAP (Wireless Access Point) aka router.. there should be security setting for WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) where you can set up an encryption key. Or look around for info on how to do MAC filtering on your router & put the laptop MAC address in there. You can probably google the model of WAP you have and get detailed info.

 

foogoo,

You did such a good job at explaining all of your acronyms (thanks for that) but I don't know what is MAC. Let me know and I'll try to figure it out. And thanks Sosoman. If I can't figure it out, I'll call Linksys.

 

MAC meaning MAC address. It is an access control list that only allows computers that have their MAC address listed in your access control list.
What that means is that only the computers you specify will be allowed to access your network, password or no password.

Each computer, or network interface has a unique MAC address.

My suggestion would be to call Linksys to...

A) Make sure you have the latest firmware for your router.

B) Setup an Access control list for MAC addresses.

Linksys has 24-hour tech support.

Good Luck.