Hi everyone!!
I have set up a wireless network which includes 2 computers and an Xbox360. Does this need to be encrypted and if so, if this is difficult? Have thought about getting in somebody to do it for me as don't want to mess up what I have already sorted?!
Any views?

Hi, yes it DEFINITELY should be encrypted otherwise anyone near your house, e.g. your neighbours and even someone walking past outside, can get into your network and then potentially see all of your data, give you a virus, "borrow" credit card details or passwords, etc.

It's pretty much like fitting a new front door to your house and then wondering if you should bother putting a lock on it or just leave it wide open for the burglars!

If you've set up the wireless connection yourself, then you should already be familiar with the screens that list available wireless networks and also the screen that you went into to configure your wireless router. The encryption settings are all in there. There are various levels of encryption, e.g. WEP, WPA, WPA-PSK, WPA-AES - make sure you choose one that is compatible with the wireless network cards in each of your devices.

I have no idea how the networking works on an XBOX so you'll have to find out about that before you start changing the network.

..... and, when you specify the encryption key (the password) to use for your network connection, make it as complicated as possible and not something obvious like "password"!

Thanks for that - think I will get someone in to help as it took me two days to set up wireless network and nearly lost the will to live

LOL - yes, I can understand that!

You might struggle to find an IT services business (such as mine) that will know how to set up the XBOX. It will probably be a case of "pot luck" if you can get hold of someone that has done it before. Having said that, a lot of IT guys will have an XBOX themselves and will be able to work it out at home before they come to your house!

All encrypted and safe now. An IT guy came round and it took him about 5 mins to encrypt both computers. Xbox360 took around 10 mins as he had never even seen one!! We muddled through and it was pretty straightforward (the hardest bit was using the controller - couldn't even connect it at first!!) If my son had been in, this would have been a lot quicker.
Thanks for your advice

No problem - glad to hear that you got it sorted so easily

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