Wide World of Women

I am in the process of setting up verizon broadband and was wondering if I can hardwire my desktop to the wireless modem/router and use the wireless feature for my laptop.

I have verizon FiOS and I have it set up as you described.

Thanks. FIOS isn't available in my area yet. Do you have the bundle package with phone, tv and internet?

Just the phone and internet. I like DirecTV too much to give it up now.

Your setup is right. Just make sure you set some type of security with the wireless i.e. WEP Key or WPA Authentication.

I would suggest you use WPA over WEP b/c

advantages of WPA
* IV length has increased to 48 bits from 24 bits, which allows WPA to achieve over 500 trillion possible key combinations.
* IVs are now better protected through the use of the TSC, or TKIP sequence counter, helping to prevent the re-use of IV keys.
* Master keys are never directly used.
* Better key management
* Impressive message integrity checking

problems with WEP

* There is no limit on using the same IV value more than once. This makes the encryption vulnerable to collision-based attacks.
* Because the IV is only 24 bits, there are only ~16.7 million possible variations. Sounds like a lot, but it’s quite small in the cryptography world.
* Master keys are used directly, when they should instead be used to generate other temporary keys.
* Users don’t change their keys very often on most networks, giving attackers ample time to try various techniques.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.

The bottom line of what Yoda is telling you is that WPA is better than WEP. If you don't know what WPA or WEP is then you shouldn't be setting up a wireless network. Do a little research and set up a secure wireless network or else your asking for trouble since anyone with a laptop within a few hundred feet could possibly get into you computer or use your internet connection.

Anyone within 500' of my connection would be in my yard.

Some could bring a laptop right to your front door. There are people who go around with laptops looking for connections that aren't secure. Even with secure connections there are simple ways to get into someone's network so I would suggest doing some research.

You were the one who asked for help. It's been give to you so you either need to figure out what it means or take your chances with setting it up whatever way you want.

Guess you are right, although someone poking around in the sticks with a laptop would draw attention. Guess people in developments and apartment have something to worry about. I will research and hope it is not over my head, so to speak. Was depending on Verizon to provide all that I need.
Thanks

i'm just a bystander in this conversation but thanks for all the info because i too want to go wireless.

Im going to broadband so I thought I'd do wirelesss at the same time. I got the wireless router from verizon.