Wireless networking

[TAPION]

I am new to internet wireless networking. I know that the signal sent out by the router covers quite a large area, in some cases a few streets. My question is because of the signal being sent out around a large area, will other people be able to use my wireless internet connection illegally, or even see whats on my computer?

Thanx

[TAPION]

Also do wireless routers have the option to make the signal radius smaller, within the house if possible?

[TAPION]

Also to do this what is it that I actually need, a wireless access point or a wireless router?

[Zxian]

My suggestion, go and get a Linksys Wireless Router.

If you're going to be doing a lot of file transfers between comptuers, and the computers in question have the same spec wireless cards, go for the "802.11g" branded wireless products. Otherwise, if it's just for sharing internet connection, then "802.11b" should be just fine.

As for other people using your wireless connection, there are a lot of things that you can configure on the router to limit access. The most basic is WEP encryption. Next step up is WPA encryption. Finally, the most secure way of locking down your network is to set up MAC address filters on your wireless network. This will allow only specific computers access to the wireless network. Even if someone else can crack your WEP or WPA key, they won't get an IP address from the router (therefore, no access to the rest of your network/internet connection).

Hope this helps.

[TAPION]

thank you