This four-part video series shows how to set up and secure a wireless network. This means not only connecting to your wireless router and getting an Internet connection, but securing your wireless network so others can't connect to it, surf on your dime and snoop on your activities. Once we have security set up on our router we will connect to it from a Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 computer. 

First let's forget about the setup CD that came with your router. If you're a complete technophobe go ahead and use it, but if you plan on expanding your wireless network to different types of devices you need to understand exactly what your wireless router is up to and how to change things if necessary. You do this by logging on to the routers web interface.

When it comes to setting up a secure wireless network there are really only five things you need to know. They are all explained and demonstrated in the video below. You need to know how to access your wireless router using your routers user name and password.  You need to routers IP address and your computers address. If their IP addresses are on the same network you'll be able to connect to your routers web interface. If not you'll need to get your computer on the same network as the wireless router. 

Once you're logged on to your wireless router it's a simple matter of selecting the security encryption you'll be using, deciding on what to call your wireless network and creating a security pass phrase. 

Download Free eBook

Once you have security set up on your wireless router you need to add the other computers in your home to your wireless network. This can be a little different with each Windows operating system. 

Part 2 - Setting Up A Wireless Network With XP

Part 3 - Setting Up A Wireless Network With Vista

Part 4- Setting Up A Wireless Network With Windows 7

You should now have a good understanding of what's involved in setting up a secure wireless network and what is needed to connect other devices as well. It's really that simple. Of course there are other advanced wireless router settings you may need to know, but they are all covered on this site.

Once you have security set up on your wireless router setting up a wireless network with XP is easy. Now that you've armed yourself with the network (SSID) and pass phrase to your wireless network you're about 2 minutes away from connecting your XP PC or laptop to your wireless network. Simply click on the little "Network" icon next to the clock. The available wireless networks will pop up. Simply select yours, double click and enter your pass phrase. That's all there is too it! You use this same procedure when connecting any network device to a wireless network.  

Next: Setting up a wireless network with Vista.

If you've done this with an XP system you're expert already. Setting up a wireless network with Vista may look a little different, but it's basically the same drill. Simply find the little Network icon on the bottom right corner (Next to the clock.) and click on it to open Network Sharing Center. This is where Vista centralized all it's network utilities into one place. Find the "connect to network" button and it's the same drill as XP. Find your SSID, type in your pass phrase and your connected. 

Next: Setting up a wireless network with Windows 7

Setting up a wireless network with Windows 7 is almost identical to setting up a wireless network with Vista. Windows 7 adds new functionality called WPS. If you hate remembering and typing in cryptic encryption pass phrases you'll love WPS. It doesn't always work though, so pay attention to the caveats I mention in this video. You'll find a more detailed explanation of  WPS or Wi-Fi Protected Setup on other pages on this site.