Want to Set Up a Home Network
Part 3 Security Types

Network card types
USB1’s maximum transmission rate is only twelve megabits per second, USB 2 on the other hand has a maximum speed of four hundred and eighty megabits per second), another downside of USB is the fact that it takes more of the processors time than the other connections, so if you have a slow laptop I'd recommend one of the other two.

The third type of connection is the PCMCIA type, make sure your laptop has one of these before though, most laptops do, as I specified above it's a long horizontal type port usually in one of the sides of your laptop, PCMCIA cards are quite cheap,

Not as obtrusive as the USB type connections, most people never use these type of connections for anything else, unless it's a modem or a network card anyway. The only downside you will probably find will the card itself it may protrude a little from the port; due to the wireless aerial.



The last kind which is only suitable for desktop computers is the PCI type wireless card, you'll need to open your pc up to install this one, it's not difficult though, once install you fit it's aerial onto the card at the rear of the case.

Onwards to security, the main thing to consider at this point is SECURITY.

When you set up a home network , the last thing you want is someone else connecting to it via wifi without your permission, so we have four kinds of security here.

Mac Address security
A Mac (media access control) address is the name given to the address of a network card it usually looks something like this 44-45-53-21-37-00, every network card regardless of whether it's wireless or hard wired has a Mac address. Every Mac address is unique, no two networks can have the same address or you get a conflict.

WEP 64 bit security WEP ( wireless Equivalent Privacy ) is the name given to a protection type for wireless technology, with this you specify a 64 bit key, the same number has to be implemented onto any computer wishing to connect to your network, "no number = no entry" Web 128 bit security Same as WEP 64 bit apart from it uses a 128 bit key

WPA WPA (wireless protected access) is the latest wireless security protection, this uses unique encryption keys for each client, and these keys are updated periodically.

So as far as security goes WPA is indeed far more secure than WEP, but if you can only use WEP it is still very secure but most standards today.

Connect your Router/Modem as per the diagrams above, it should have come with a RJ45 LAN cable, connect you computer to the Router with this. You will need to initially configure it this way to begin with.

Computer adviser set up a home network article

Launch Internet explorer, type the address listed in the Routers manual, it will be something along the lines of http://192.168.2.1

For the previous page How to Setup Wifi – and for the next page Wireless Connection Setup, if you missed the start you can follow it here

Windows Security – How secure is your computer? Your Windows security is vital today, read about computer security and protect your computer against, viruses, malware, hackers, and make your browsing time rewarding.

Computer Security test find out how secure your computer is or is not - test your computer from the Internet, find out if it’s vulnerable to attacks from hackers or spyware, many computers connected to internet offer little or no defense.

Laptop wireless security tips find out how to make your laptop secure now - how to avoid and minimize the risk of viruses spyware, hackers etc - what would you do if the worst happens to your laptop computer?

Laptop security preventing theft - why thieves like laptops and how to best protect your laptop using common sense, learn to be laptop aware, after all its not just the internet you need to protect your computer from.

Convert Fat32 to NTFS, want to make your computer more secure? One of the most common things overlooked today is the file system; learn how to convert yours to NTFS which offers far better security than FAT32

Is My Computer Hacked? Do you think the worst has happened and your computer has been hacked into? How can you tell? What can be done about it? Find out this here.

Don’t connect to that wireless network – STOP are you sure it’s safe? Don’t fall victim to a wireless network scam, read more on how to be aware of this type of scam now.

Set up a home network with our hints and tips - If you are using any wifi devices, make sure you understand wifi security; when many people set up a home network unprotected wifi is all too common and a big security risk

Computer screen privacy filters - Do you work in a public area such as on the train on your way to work, or in your favorite coffee shop? Don’t you just hate it when someone walks past or sits near you, and you can just feel them staring at your screen. Why not install a privacy filter so the only one who can see what’s on the screen is the person sitting directly in front of it.

Wifi Security types - What is a WEP or WPA key ? if you don’t know that maybe your wireless network does not have security setup on it, this means anyone could connect to your wireless network and browse the internet, maybe even mess with your routers settings or even hack into your computer. Find out more about security types with our how to set up a home network guide.

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computer adviser set up a home network article