How do I password protect my Internet?

How do I password protect my computer so no one else can access my internet?

• i'm getting internet access through comcast, but i think the apartments surrounding mine are using my internet because my connection is bad/slow. most of my neighbors have their internet password-protected; how can i password-protect mine? thank you!

• Answer:

  Assuming you're using a router or gateway with wireless (and can't just turn the wireless off), you have two options for encryption: WEP or WPA. You'll have to check your router/gateway's help for how exactly to enable either, but both use a passkey/passphrase. I'd recommend WPA if you -can- use it, but WEP's better than nothing. I'm not sure what operating system you're using, but here's some general info: http://netsecurity.about.com/od/quicktip1/qt/qtwifiwepwpa.htm Windows XP SP 1 and onward should be fine, same with recent Mac OS and Linux distros. After you've turned on WEP or WPA, you'll have to change a few settings on any computer connecting via wireless...usually just telling it what type of encryption you're using and giving it the passkey in something like your wireless card's config (or Windows' default wireless thing).