While setting up your network you can be very sure to be safe after using some security tools. Irrespective of how you connect to the internet, definitely you must install a software firewall like ZoneAlarm or others. When installed and running on your notebook or desktop at all times, it will keep hackers away from your computer and prevent spy ware from uploading your personal data out of it.
Use WPA (Wireless Protected Access) encryption with the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol, or TKIP. WPA can always encircle the authentication keys used to authenticate transmissions. WPA also checks network transmissions for enormous data packets that are transmitting from a false network address.
But, if your Wi-Fi adapter is old, it may not support WPA. The best option is to upgrade to WPA-enabled model or you can take your chances with WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy).
A determined hacker can break through your network if your Wi-Fi card is 64-bit WEP, but with a 1258-bit with WEP, it will force all the components of your wireless LAN (access points, client adapters, etc) to use encryption key.
