How to set up wireless internet connection?

[Dan Karas]

Wireless routers are inexpensive, you can buy one at a local store such as Fry's Electronics or Best Buy, or get one online from Amazon or New Egg.

There are two current wireless standards, the newest is wireless N (300Mbps) and the older is wireless G (54Mbps). Either one will work fine with your DSL or cable Internet connection. Most home Internet plans are in the 1.5 - 30 Mbps range, so either wireless router will be able to communicate faster than the Internet connection.

You just connect your cable or DSL modem to the wireless router. Use the included Ethernet patch cable to connect the modem to the router port labeled WAN or Internet. The router has 4 Ethernet (LAN) ports to connect computers and other devices via Ethernet cables.

You can also set up the wireless settings to enable broadband Internet on all of your WiFi enabled devices such as laptops, iPods, cellular smartphones, etc.

Wireless connections require configuration to prevent anyone with a WiFi in range of your router from connecting to your network. They could do malicious deeds, such as hack into your network, or just leech off of your Internet bandwidth.

Wireless setup is not too difficult, Just follow the instructions in the router manual or wizard set up program. If you're having problems either pay someone to set it up for you or find a knowledgeable friend to configure it. Once the wireless network settings are configured it's a fairly trouble-free system.

As far as the router goes, I've had good luck with NetGear, D-Link and LinkSys (Cisco). Wireless G (54 Mbps) is plenty fast for your Internet application. If you want to stream or transfer large files between computers on your LAN wirelessly you may want to opt for Wireless N. Go to Amazon and read the reviews on the routers that interest you.

Good Luck...