Ok its about time I need to spend some green to get me a wireless connection for my laptop.
Please recommend a good wireless router and a USB adapter
Also educate me on how to protect my connection from being stolen by neighbors.
I was going to post it in bazar but I know its not going to get as much attention.
Re: I need to go wireless
Though 802.11N is out but I'd still suggest 802.11g ... get a Dlink or Linksys router though you can use any brand, most of them work the same way.
It would be better for you if u use the same brand for ur USB adapter, but why USB? why not PCMCIA ?
Make sure WEP is enabled in your router for 128bit encryption.
You can do further control by only allowing your laptop's MAC address but in most cases you dont have to go to that strict level. If WEP is enabled then most probably others wont bother to interfere with your network.
Re: I need to go wireless
hmmmmmmmm..i just went wireless last month..
get something (dlink/linksys) that has a wired connection AS WELL AS wireless.. depending upon HOW much u will be hilling dulling, get a router based on that.. i have dlink..and its working great from my living room to basement to bedrooms and a sublevel bedroom..
security... as najim said,web-enabling, also, if u want, take away broadcasting of the ssid (something that you need to identify the wireless network)
everything else, is lil advance and above steps are good'nuff to prevent neighbours from stealing...
Re: I need to go wireless
I like Linksys, been using it for over 4 yrs now, never had any prob watsoever.
Re: I need to go wireless
I've been using Linksys wireless router for at least 1.5+ years now and I just can't seem to stop having problems with it.
Like others have suggested, WEP is fine, but being the extra bit paranoid individual that I am, I have also enabled the MAC settings. Also, I've heard WEP key isn't all that difficult to crack/hack.
Re: I need to go wireless
forget thr router - just buy a PCMCIA card/adaptor and connect through your neighbor
Re: I need to go wireless
wep is useless hacked under 10 mins. Make usre to use WPA and I cant fault the Linksys WRT54G series of switch + access point which byhappens to also support WPA2 should your other hardware also.
Re: I need to go wireless
yup, WPA all the way dude, WEP is history.
And MAC authentication doesn’t help much if a determined individual wants to get some free bandwidth. Think of MAC authentication as an authentication scheme based on ID cards. The security guy at the gate has a predefined list of IDs that are allowed through the gate. If you are smart enough to get a copy of such a valid ID card [or forge it] then you are through because the authentication criteria is met. The problem with MAC authentication is that it does not randomly validate the MAC address of authenticated client connections in order to fill up the above mentioned loop hole.
I hope I made sense here …
*Wait a minute, this sounds like an interesting research paper 
Re: I need to go wireless
Are these sane choices?
There were ones with 54 mbps speed with less regular price but the ones I mentioned above which are 108 mbps are cheaper with the $40.00 rebate - the final price for the router is only $34.00
Re: I need to go wireless
I have this one:
http://subscriber.communications.siemens.com/subscriber_networks/cwg.shtml
Purchased for approx. $100
To protect your connection, you need to turn the ‘secure’ settings on. That can be done after installing the router’s software. You can also opt to turn the main power switch off to protect it from unauthorized usage.
Re: I need to go wireless
for security
that should be good enuff protection... oh ... i mite as well add -- change the default username and password on the router :)
Re: I need to go wireless
wait for 802.16 in your area :p
The next big thing WiMAX is around.
Re: I need to go wireless
About 4 weeks ago Compusa had 4 port wireless router (Linksys) and wireless PCMCIA card for 4.99 each (after mailin rebates)!!
Re: I need to go wireless
I think the knowledge and availability of wireless is great, but if you stay at home, stay wired.
It is safer and easier.
Re: I need to go wireless
you wanna come down and fish wire my walls?
Re: I need to go wireless
How many computers are we talking. If it 2 or 3 then what is the harm in having a few wires and a lot of security.
Re: I need to go wireless
just take ur wire off and u will be wireless.
Re: I need to go wireless
Good One.
Re: I need to go wireless
you were running on wires??? wow.
Re: I need to go wireless
Asif I would say router is the best choice, but still go with ur instincts ;) g'luck