posted on February 19, 2011 12:13:17 PM new
also, for hwahwa and everyone else - what I found when I was looking around at configuring my laptop(s) was a little program called Vistumbler. It will tell you what channel everyone else around you is using so you can choose a different one. Most people use the default one - therefore slowing down your internet connection. If they are close enough, your internet connection will be very very slow on your laptop.
The best way to secure your wireless connection is MOL this:
forget about the paint and tinfoil. but DO think about the Filter Mac addresses step. That means allowing only your computers and printers or whatever you have setup wireless IP address (this is where Network Magic comes in handy too) to be set up in your Router's network page. It's not perfect, but it's just one more step to keep hackers away.
I look at my Vistumbler and I'm appalled at the open networks.
(You only have the choice of choosing channels 1-11)
I use Vistumbler because I am running a 64 bit laptop - other programs may work equally as well, this is the one that worked for me.
If people around you are using the channels 6 or 7, you do not want to use 5 or 8. Use something as far away from that as you can. Using 5 or 8 will "bleed" over into those channels.
