From my house I can access four unsecured wireless (Wi-Fi) networks. If I wanted to, in addition to surfing the Internet on their dime, I could access all of the files on their network and steal any confidential information that they had. (which is a federal crime). If you have a wireless network you need to follow some simple steps to secure it:

1. Get out the directions for your wireless router set the security to WEP128, or WPA (only if all you have is windows computers and not other devices like a Wii, or a Wi-fi ) . You’ll need a 16 digit password. Make sure you write it down you will need it later.

2. If your router has a default password, change it.

3 . Go to each of your computers and setup your secure wireless network with the password.
 

• Setup a Windows XP Secure Wireless Connection http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/wireless.mspx#4
• Setup a Windows Vista Secure Wireless Connection
  http://www.ehow.com/how_2172150_wireless-connection-laptop-windows-vista.html