I live on the middle of a dead end street that is mostly abandoned during the winter. I felt really safe using an UNlocked signal. I found a neighbor had rented out an apartment above their garage and the new kids were "stealing" my signal. Whats the big deal about steal a signal? it slow down YOUR service. The more folks that are pulling off your signal, the harder it has to work to keep up. I found out they had a game system, 2 laptops and a desktop. I password protected my system recently and my service sped up quite a bit.

ALL wireless/wired routers have websites that you can download their management software. If its linksys, you can simply go to their website at Linksys.com and click on downloads. make sure you write down the model # of your router. The website will show you how to find it. Belkin and Netgear also have similar websites that allow you to down load their software programs that will allow you to control your router. If you kept the disc, it will be on the disc as well. This will allow you to open or close the door to your wireless signal. It will allow you to monitor or keep track of who is using your signal. Easy to use, easy to follow instructions, just go step by step from the web site.

If you are simply using the modem (modem is a box the phone line/cable line the internet comes into the house thru is plugged into) vs a router (a box connected to the modem to allow the signal to be used in several places around the house, not just the main computer) it may be different. If your box that you are hooking up to is from the cable/phone company that provides your internet, it may have a different hook up than the standard boxes that some folks by to have wireless in their homes. I have a wireless home. My blu ray and game systems as well as my lap tops all hook up to the internet thru the wireless signal. If you have the phone/cable company box, you may wish to invest in a "router" or "wireless router" to make your home wireless.

Most laptops have a slide, or a button located next to a symbol that looks like a lollipop with a couple of wave lines next to it. If that symbol is lit up, then your wireless signal finder is ON. If that symbol is dark, it means you need to slip, or poke the tab next to it, to turn it on. then the machine will find whatever signal is available. Coffee shops, car repair places, mcdonalds, hotels, and so on now carry wireless "hot spots" they give out a signal for FREE use while on their property. Sometimes you have to ask the cashier for the password, and they are pretty good at explaining how to connect to the service. After you do it a couple of times, it becomes old hat.

If you use a wireless vs wired connection, you can roam pretty far with your computer. Sit in bed and surf the web, or be outside watching the kids play while you answer emails. I can get my signal for 4 houses away. Our houses are not close, and I have an extended range signal.

Just take things one at a time, and before ya know it, you will be a pro at slinging that thing around. Or you can ask any teenager to help you.