Wired routers vs wireless routers

Okay, I am finally online at home. I bought a D-Link DI-604 router. But now I see a router/wireless router for $20 more. It has 4 ports and wireless capabilities too. <br />So, my question is this: Some people tell me that if I use a wireless router, my next door neighbors will be able to go online(possibly), on my connection. <br />What are the downfalls of a wireless router compared to a normal router with wires? <br /><br />I am just not sure if I want to go and buy the router/wireless router if it is going to cause me headaches in the future.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

The wireles will be slower than using a cable connection, but convenient if you have a laptop. Your neighbor can see your wireless broadcast, but can't use it as long as you enable the WEP key. I highly recommend using the key.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

Well, first a wireless router is going to be of no use to you unless you have some wireless cards for the computer too. If for some reason you want the wireless router but aren't using it for wireless cards, you can most likely turn off the wireless ability while you're not using it. If you do use it for a wireless network, yes, somebody within your router's range could get into your network, IF the signal isn't encrypted, which is one of the settings on your router.<br /><br />I've had a wireless network for 4 years now, I love it. It's not encrypted in any way, and I've never had a problem. I've even connected to my neighbors wireless connection and used his internet completely by accident, while I was out in the yard with my laptop. If someone wants to use my connection so bad that they sit in my driveway with a laptop, let 'em...I don't have any nuclear secrets or child porn to hide.<br /><br />I can drive less than a mile around here with my laptop and show you literally hundreds of open connections I could use. I used to occassionally print random things on people's shared wireless printers.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

So I guess it is worth it for me to return the one I have and exchange it for the one that has both options. Wireless and wired. Cool. <br />Thanks fellas, I knew someone here would have the answers. <br />Guess I will pack up my router and go and exchange it now.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

As long as you do not go online to do banking, ordering or anything that requires information you do want not others to see, then wireless is cool. Do not use file sharing between computers and also do use the option not to broadcast you ssid. <br /> It also helps to live in a stucco house.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

Also check the policy with your ISP - a friend of mine hooked a wireless router to his and his neighbors pay him $10 a month for usage<br /><br />basically you can allow up to 3 more people to share the router<br /><br />Some ISP's allow this<br /><br />tomatolord

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

I called my ISP and asked them, how many wireless computers/laptops can be used on the router, they said as many as I like. <br />And I can aslo have up to 4 computers hooked up to the router, via cables. <br />So we will have 2 computers hooked up and a PS2 and an Xbox as well. That is pretty good for $25/month.<br />I do not need the wireless at the moment, but in the future, I just might. And for $20 more, I guess it is worth it. <br />Thanks for the info. <br />If anyone else has any other input, that would be great too.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

One thing to be aware of as it pertains to wireless networks is that someone who freeloads on your connection not only has access to your internet connection, they have access to whatever else is on your local network.. Meaning a hacker could browse your pc(s) looking for valuable personal information.<br /><br />I have a wireless connection and I have done the following to discourage any inappropriate usage:<br /><br />- Changed the SSID from the default and the router name<br />- disabled the broadcast capability (this means you have to configure the cards on your network by specifying the SSID and name of the router<br />- use the strongest WEP key possible<br />- enabled Mac filtering so that only machines with MAC addresses that I have entered into the router can connect to the router.<br />- Change the default admin password for the router (write it down though)<br />- Use personal firewall on all machines. You'd be surprised how many port scans you will get.<br /><br />If I was to buy again, I would get the 802.11G not the 802.11b as the encryption capability is better.<br /><br />doing all these things will not make it hack proof but it will most likely compel the hacker to move down the street to the unprotected connection..

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

Originally posted by brother chris:<br />And for $20 more, I guess it is worth it. <br />

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Yep, wireless cards are getting dirt cheap now too. A few weeks ago I bought a USB and PC card wireless G adapter for $10 each, no rebates. I think I paid over $400 for my wireless system 4 years ago.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

Everything Roger said is right on. To add to it, you should really use WPA instead of WEP. WPA is much better than WEP, particularly if you use a looooong security key. Most any new wireless device supports this standard.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

all good info, but disagree that wireless is any slower. i am wireless, but have connected to see if there was a difference. couldn't see one.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

Awesome, I was waiting to see the responses to this thread before I went and exchanged it(plus I had other stuff to do), but now I am going to change the routers tomorrow morning. <br />Thanks everyone...much appreciated. <br />B.C.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

Originally posted by mattttt25:<br /> all good info, but disagree that wireless is any slower. i am wireless, but have connected to see if there was a difference. couldn't see one.

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There is nothing to disagree about. Wireless is slower, that's a fact. Wireless B is 11mbps, wireless G is 54mbps. Wired connections are either 10mbps, (old stuff) 100mbps, or 1000mbps. They do have some quite expensive 100+mbps rated wireless devices, but they don't actually perform this good in real life.

Re: Wired routers vs wireless routers

The 802.11G router will give you the better encrytion..<br /><br />I bought my D-link a year and a half ago for $19 and it does everything I need. Linksys is nice but is not necessary.