Xtreme security Need help badly

Hi Folks, I am just recovering (had to do destructive restore on desktop and laptop computers) from horrible viruses, trojans, keyloggers etc but all of this made our computers virtually useless. Now, I am getting both computers back up and was referred here by someone at Spybot Forums for assistance in securing my wireless network. The two computers were never networked and I don't want them to be. There is no need. Both computers connected to the internet wirelessly via a Linksys WRT 150 N firewall router. I paid extra for the bells and whistle protection this router has, but honestly never knew how to set up the added layers of protection. Port forwardiing, port blocking, etc. I NEED to do this now. The desk top computer will no longer connect wirelessly it will be hard wired. The laptop needs to connect wirelessly. Truth be told this connection has always behaved crazy …. it would often reset or go to being unavailable and even though I took steps to secure it when it disconnected me, I would get messages that the wireless network was not available. As I am typing it is doing it. I have no internet connection available right now and may not get this posted. I tried to set the router to not broadcast etc, but I don't think I have ever had everything done at one time. Anyone out there real familiar with this router that is willing to take some time to guide me through securing this connection once and for all??

Hi, sorry to hear that you have had problems with malware on your computers. No doubt the good folks at the Spybot forums have given advice on how to practice safe computing, with a fully patched, computer (all Windows critical and important updates installed, and kept up to date, a good bi directional software firewall, up to date anti spyware, antivirus protections etc. If you need any further information on these then just take a look at any of the closing posts by our malware removal fighters, in the Infections removal forums. Good advice with all appropriate links included. Having addressed the protection issues through "software" its important to remember that the weakest link in the protection chain is sometimes the computer operator…good information and training on not clicking on links in emails, not visiting unsafe Internet sites or using peer to peer filesharing (P2p) is sometimes equally important as product protections. Turning now to your router, here's some things not to do! Port forwarding and port blocking is something that should not be the top of the priority list….There is no need to use MAC filtering and little point in disabling the broadcast of the SSID……unless you have experise do not attempt to configure the hardware firewall…..the basic settings of your router will be just fine subject to the following: 1 If your desktop computer is connected by an Ethernet cable to your router ( as is normal) connection to the Internet should be pretty straightforward, but if you are having any problems with this just post back with details and we will do our best to help. 2 Your router is accessed from your browser by going to 192.168.1.1 you will be connected to the router log in page (provided the Ethernet cable is in place between router and computer) 3 Leave the user name as blank and the password is admin 4 its important to change the router log in password to something more secure do this as soon as you are all set up…. I suggest you use a combination of alpha numeric +symbols and make sure you don't use a word that is in any dictionary (even with numbers attached) 14 characters or so will provide good protection, don't rely on memory write it down keep it safe and remember passwords are case sensitive. 5 When you have logged into your router disable "remote administration" this means that the router must be physically attached to the computer to gain entry to the router log in page…… 6 Use wirelss encryption and use the strongest that your Laptop network adaptor will suport. (WEP is the weakest level of encryption and is not generally recommended. 7 The Wireless encryption password should be at least 14 characters (I'm assuming you are using Ascii not Hex) and also should not be a word in any dictionary and a mixture of lower case and upper case is recommended…write it down keep it safe, don't trust to memory. 8 Its Ok to disable your software firewall for a very quick test after setting up the wireless…but be sure to enable it again as soon as you have finished it. 9 Dont forget to connect the cable between your modem and router! 10 One final point is to remember that all your protections can be defeated if you allow somone access to your computer/router/modem…this together with the operator is usually the weakest link. If you follow the directions in the routers manual you should have no problems and if you dont want to set it up manually then you can use the disc that comes with it, and this will do all the main things yourself just leaving you to provide your usernames/password etc. Post back with specific questions if you have any troubles regards paws