Network, connection and router problems- please can you help ?

Question

My Internet connection freezes every now and then, sometimes every few minutes and sometimes every couple of days and anywhere in between (although I have been told that there is nothing wrong with the router itself but that it's probably because of a 'wireless network security problem').
If I disconnect then reconnect the power supply to the router it starts working again fine.
I have been using the network with no problems until about 10 weeks ago when this problem started, it began around the time that a friend began using their laptop here with this wireless connection (up until last week) although that may be coincidence.

The network is unsecured - has been ever since I set it up when I had my first laptop (about 4 years ago ?) and I know it needs to be made secure but am not sure how to do it so that I can use *my desktop, *my current laptop, *my daughter's laptop (DAUGHTER A) which started being used on December 25th using a new TP-Link (N series) wireless dongle (the problems started way before this was even brought into the house) and also *my other daughter's laptop (DAUGHTER B) - which hasn't been powered up since June 2010 but will be being brought here soon and connected wirelessly, *plus any others which may be brought into the house and used with my permission (and me entering they key/PIN/password for the network).
Details which may be useful are :-
DESKTOP - XP - connected to router via ethernet cable - Norton Internet Security
MY LAPTOP - Windows - 7 connected wirelessly with card - Norton Internet Security
DAUGHTER A's LAPTOP - Windows XP - connected wirelessly with a TP-Link dongle - Norton Internet Security
DAUGHTER B's LAPTOP - Windows 7 - to be connected wirelessly with card - will be using VirginMedia Security
ROUTER -  Belkin 54g (Model F5D7230-4 version 6000uk)
Norton Internet Security (version 17.8.0.5)
BROADBAND ISP - VirginMedia

I have a sneaking suspicion that someone / something may be accessing (or trying to access) one or more of the computers or interfering with the connection itself somehow although this may just be plain and  simple paranoia on my part.

I have never upgraded/updated the router nor has it been reset (although I know I can and maybe should do both). I was going to reset it and then put in a password to secure it, then upgrade it following the manual's instructions, but have just remembered hearing that problems have been reported with Belkin routers and VirginMedia so didn't want to do anything without asking advice here first.
I have replaced the ethernet cable between the modem and router and also the one linking the router and desktop pc with brand new ones and this made no difference.
It is fairly obvious, I think, to anyone who reads this, that my technical knowledge is pretty poor. I know there are loads of tutorials and help sites out there to assist me, but nothing which seems to explain in simple terms how to do these things while re-assuring me that I'm not going to mess up my network, computers, (hardware & software), accounts or anything else.
I am perfectly capable, however, of following instructions when told what what actually needs doing and in which order so the family can all return to using our computers without having to frequently disconnect and reconnect the router and worry about 'safety'.
The information on (a)how make the network connection 'secure' (b) preventing the Internet connection to keep cutting out and (c) configuring the Norton Network Security Map (without giving away any information to anyone who may already have unauthorized access to the network or computers) just seems to be overwhelming, contradictory and confusing.
Please, please could someone tell me how to alter things so as to sort these problems out ?

Yes, I know that I am daft having been using computers, the Internet (wired and wirelessly) and Norton for so long but without actually understanding anything properly, but I do want to rectify the problem now :)

Have I confused you as much as I have myself ? I hope not !!

To put things in a nutshell I'd like to
1) make my network 'secure'
2) know what my IP address is (is the one for the wired desktop the same as the one for the wirelessly connected laptops ?)
3) sort out the problem with losing the Internet and needing to re-boot the router so often in order to re-connect
4) block anyone who has already accessed any of our computers or the system already
5) know whether I need to change any IP addresses or other relevant information when it's all done in case anyone else has got hold of it (including site/membership/account password or user names etc)

Ok, I'm pausing for a long, deep breath now and hoping that someone may be able to tell me how to sort all of this out in whatever order it needs to be done.

Regards
Katekitty
x

johntrottier · Accepted Answer

Wow - a lot of information

Lets try to sort some of this out

1. Internet dropping out - That seems to be the major frustration. The first thing I would do is call Virgin and have them check out your connection and modem. Losing Internet is most often caused by wiring issues, and the place to start is at the source. Virgin can check their system and see if it is the cause.
I suspect it is a modem/cable issue because routers pretty much are good or bad. They do not act in the manner you describe. But a modem or cable would cause you to lose you IP address and the way to get it back is doing what you are doing - cycle the power.
You did not say, but from your description, when the Internet goes down, all machines, wired or not wired, lose Internet. Is this correct? If it is, it again points to the modem. 
So check that first

2 Making the network secure - I'm a little confused here because you mention entering a "(and me entering they key/PIN/password for the network)" Is this what you are doing or what you WANT to do?
The steps to secure a network are fairly basic, but you will need the manual for your router to get detailed instructions
So get the manual first - or download a copy
From your wired desktop you open your browser and follow the directions in the manual for accessing the router
You enter the user name and password
Go to the wireless setup page
enter a name (SSID) for the router
Enable security
Choose your encryption - Use WPA 
Enter a password
Save your settings

Now on each laptop you search for available networks
Find yours (the network name (SSID) you entered)
enter the password when asked
You should connect

Once all the wireless devices are connected, access the router again and change the User name and password for the router
Write down all passwords and tape it to the router
Doing this will block anyone who may have been using the unsecured system
Your done

3 Finding IP addresses
First understand that since you have a network, you actually have two IP addresses.

The first is the IP address the world sees. This is your Internet IP address and is assigned by Virgin. You have no control over it. To find what it is, go to http://www.whatsmyip.org/
Your address will display on your browser. All computers using your network share this IP address.
The second address is the IP address for your network. It is assigned by the router to the computers on the network, and each computer has a different address. To see what it is, open a command prompt window Start>run type cmd in the box and press OK  
This opens a DOS window
type in ipconfig /all
press enter
that will display your local IP address

I would not worry about changing account details at this time. Let's see how this sorts out
Your welcome to drop me an e-mail directly if I can be of further assistance

Happy New Year

? · Answer

It's nice to see someone knows how to ask a question. Lots of detail, accurately written.
This is a lousy format for answering such a question. the Q & A takes too long.
If I were asked to do this, I'd probably charge about $100.00, so one alternative would be to call in someone to help.
I might help with a Teamviewer session if we can get together that way.
Basically, you need to set the router to defaults and set it up again with WPA security.This will keep unauthorized users out.
 Check for a router firmware update at the Belkin site.
I detest Norton Security and would uninstall it from every machine and get MSE.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
All the IP addresses are different-that's what routers do so several computers can use the same connection without the replies getting mixed up.
Most routers have a 'Status"where you can monitor who's using your network.
You can also get software like Look At Lan.
http://www.lookatlan.com/oldindex.html
Start over with the manual in hand and take your time.

audi coupe · Answer

1 and #4 go together. get out your owners manual and secure your network. the trusted people in your house should know what this password is in case something goes wrong and they need to re-enter it when you aren't around.. # 2. I don't know what you would need your ip address for but you can find it in control panel> network connections. # 5. You cant change your ip address. You can change the passwords to all accounts/ memberships that you are concerned with. Most likely someone is just using your router to get to the internet and not hacking you.  # 3 hopefully will be solved once you kick off all the freeloaders.
 
 PS. I also detest Norton and Microsoft security essentials. MSE will grind your machine to a halt if you dont have enough memory to run it. no one av program will solve it all. I have Free AVG and AD-AWARE running and scan with malwarebytes antimalware once i a while. all free from cnet..com

? · Answer

To  cut the story short, you need to get someone with knowledge in networking to set up your network. That is the best thing that you should do...goodluck...jexter@eastern.com.ph

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Network, connection and router problems- please can you help ?

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