Secure Those Wireless Networks, Dummies

How many of you use wireless routers at home?  How many of you use WEP encryption?  How many of you use WPA encryption?  How about WPA2?

When I first bought my Netgear wireless router, I used its most secure option- WPA2.  After time, I found out that this slows my connection speed somewhat.  I stepped it down to WPA, and eventually down to WEP.

There are a number of wireless routers in my neighborhood.  Most of them are unsecured, meaning anyone with a modern computer (that picks up wireless signals) can connect and download anything.  Secure those wireless networks, dummies. 

Loving to spend so much time on my computer, it was only natural to learn how to crack my own network key.  Like I said, I'm using WEP.  One of my neighbors is using WPA.  I asked him if I can try to crack his key.  He said give it a go.  Guess what?  Success!  Not that I'm going to go around trying to crack everyones wireless networks- this is illegal. 

If you use a wireless router- everyone within range can connect to it if you don't have it secured.  Which means everyone within range can download from your internet account and push you over your limit, making you pay overage fees.  Secure that router, dummy!