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there is no such thing as a secure wireless signal, only the time it takes to crack it.

if you have a wireless network it can be hijacked by anybody with the simplest hacking software which is freely available on teh interweb.

wireless routers have an option to switch off wireless connectivity so you should be ok as they have wired ports, anyway.

you are aware that if your network is hacked that your browsing activities can be monitored live as you surf? i don't care if people know that i watch porn. i'm adult and it's my choice, but i'm not sure i'd want somebody watching what i'm looking at and knowing my preferences and peccadilloes.

There are things that can help with security.

Firstly, make sure sharing is turned off and create an account in windows for yourself, only logging in as the administrator when you need to. (when you're logged n as the admin, a hacker has full control, while logged in as a profile, your limited to certain things, and so is the hacker).

Secondly, if a security password to log in to your router isn't enough, you can turn off the broadcast of the router. That way, no one will know the name of your network, never mind the password.

I have mine set up where even if someone knows my network name, and password, the router only lets specific mac addresses log in to the network. If I purchased a new laptop, I couldn't log in to my network until I found the new machines mac address, then logged in with another machine with permissions, and give the new machine those same permissions. (if that makes sense).

Finally, wired or not, machines get hacked. Wired networks get hacked everyday so having a wireless network isn't so much worse, security-wise, than the other as long as your sensible.

Creating a good network name, and a password, while turning your routers broadcast name signal off, along with making sure your wireless router is turned off when you're not online, will cover you as sufficiently as a wired network.

cheers for the tips Sam

Just found this article with this little snippet making me reevaluate by thoughts of hard wired versus wifi

So what can you do to make your wireless net safer? Thankfully, the answer is "a lot." While no network is 100 percent secure, you can make your wireless net just as safe as a wired one, and prevent all but the most dedicated and resourceful crackers from getting in. And it won't cost you anything but a little time.

I'd always thought that hard wired was more secure than wi-fi

To fill in the gaps

Currently paying 25 pounds(AUS60-00) for home phone/56k dial-up

For the same 25 pounds I can get the 8MBS broadband connection for free(installation,modem/router/filter) but it comes with the wifi modem

The hard wired option(cable)is triple the price for the same speed/limit
and that doesn't include the installation or modem

OZ is still in nappies Broadband wise

Their still arguing over who is going to pay to roll out a decent fibre optic network

Anyhting that gets me surfing faster than 56k for the same price can't be all that bad

Most wi-fi routers come with an ethernet port, so just buy an ethernet cable, connect it to your comp, then point your browser at the routers home page, type in your username and password and thats it. just because you have a wireless modem doesn,t mean you have to use it. there should be an ethernet cable in the package anyway, just in case you cant get a wireless connection.

funny you should mention ethernet lizard

when I connect to the internet on my snail mobile I ge tthis little icon that says....LAN...a network cable is unplugged..apparently capable of 10mbps

This whole subject is so f....c...king confusing
little wonder one is born every minute

best to bury one head in the sand and just take the cheapest option like I'm doing