Time to Upgrade

Just found out that my perfectly serviceable home wi-fi network is
obsolete with bad security. Never had any problems with it, but I do
notice that the list of networks around me has increased 1000+ since I
was the only wireless network in the building - installation circa
Christmas 2001. Equipment is Microsoft MN-500 Router at the main
computer and internet connection; Microsoft PCN card on the laptop and
an MN-510 USB wireless adapter on the TIVO box.

It's all working fine but I figure it may be time to upgrade - or
should I?

Suggestions would be appreciated, especially for new equipment since I
haven't visited this issue in a long time.

Thanks.
Mark in DC

On 7 Apr 2007 10:06:24 -0700, "Firethorne" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
in <(E-Mail Removed) .com>:

>Just found out that my perfectly serviceable home wi-fi network is
>obsolete with bad security. Never had any problems with it, but I do
>notice that the list of networks around me has increased 1000+ since I
>was the only wireless network in the building - installation circa
>Christmas 2001. Equipment is Microsoft MN-500 Router at the main
>computer and internet connection; Microsoft PCN card on the laptop and
>an MN-510 USB wireless adapter on the TIVO box.
>
>It's all working fine but I figure it may be time to upgrade - or
>should I?
>
>Suggestions would be appreciated, especially for new equipment since I
>haven't visited this issue in a long time.

Strongly advise you to upgrade your wireless network to WPA security
with a strong passphrase -- anything less is too weak to do much real
good.

--
Best regards, FAQ for Wireless Internet: <http://Wireless.wikia.com>
John Navas FAQ for Wi-Fi: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi>
Wi-Fi How To: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_How_To>
Fixes to Wi-Fi Problems: <http://wireless.wikia.com/wiki/Wi-Fi_Fixes>

Firethorne <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Just found out that my perfectly serviceable home wi-fi network is
> obsolete with bad security. Never had any problems with it, but I do
> notice that the list of networks around me has increased 1000+ since I
> was the only wireless network in the building - installation circa
> Christmas 2001. Equipment is Microsoft MN-500 Router at the main
> computer and internet connection; Microsoft PCN card on the laptop and
> an MN-510 USB wireless adapter on the TIVO box.
>
> It's all working fine but I figure it may be time to upgrade - or
> should I?
>
> Suggestions would be appreciated, especially for new equipment since I
> haven't visited this issue in a long time.

If you stick to 802.11g equipment and shop around, you should be able to
upgrade your base station and two adapters to WPA-capable hardware for
about $100. The faster 802.11n equipment now available costs more but
provides little or no additional security benefits.