i use a wireless router which runs both my daughters laptops mine being the host or desktop pc. everything is ok till after midnight then i always make sure my daughters are unplugged only reason being i had 2 fires,with faulty wiring not with the laptops i put mine when going to bed on shut down but is it normal that my lights on the router are flashing like mad like it is like someone downloading i noticed today the same but my daughters are at colledge and ihave had my updates i did a check with thinkbroadband and my signal strength had dropped considerably is it possible that anybody in range of my wireless signal can access the signal and use it to their advantage if so how do i prevent this i no longer keep any bank or personal details as i have suffered those problems twice before then whats the use of buying on line which is so much cheaper but in the end you lose to someone else iam just angry that the web is not that secure

A wireless router is virtually an open gateway to the Internet. You may set one up in an apartment complex or crowded subdivision, and someone living nearby could potentially scan for wireless networks and use your connection to get to the Internet!

Step one change the default admin user name and password for the router......then

There are two main ways to lock down wireless access, both of which should be explained in detail in your router's manual.

1) Security Encryption. This will encrypt data to and from the router so that others cannot easily see the websites you view, private information you may send, etc. Plus, encryption will prevent others from being able to access your network without knowing a code. This involves entering a pass-phrase on your computer, generating a keycode, and entering that code in your wireless machines' configuration settings.