[rcecale]

Allen,

Glad to hear you got it fixed.

As an extra precautionary measure, I would still recommend you disable broadcasting of your SSID and enable MAC filtering.

Broadcasting basically sends your SSID (Your network's unique name) out into the airwaves. Anyone within range of your network can see it. While WEP should keep them out, if they somehow manage to crack your key, they would be allowed in. The chances of this happening are very slim, but heck, some people live for this kind of thing....the same mentality as those who write virii.

MAC Filtering is where you specifically add the MAC address of the wireless card in your laptop to the list of authorized MACs. Then configure your router/access point to only allow access to MACs on your list. Only cards that YOU have determined will have access. You can find the MAC address by typing IPCONFIG /ALL at the command prompt.

Now, with all this being said, none of these three methods are 100% foolproof. If someone wants to get in bad enough, and they possess the skills, they'd be able to do it. BUT, with all three of these things working for you, you're pretty close to being invulnerable.

Not trying to scare you or anything, chances are that someone with these kinds of skills would rather spend their time trying to break into a government site, or some sort of financial business. The typical home network is generally not a target for someone like this.

Either way, again, I'm glad you got it worked out. Good on ya!

Randy