Most Internet connectivity problems can be solved by power-cycling both the router and the modem. Turn them both off. Wait roughly 10 seconds and then turn the modem back on first. Once its "sync" or signal light comes on, turn on your router. If you have an all in one where you have a modem and wireless router in one box then you just need to unplug the modem wait for 10-15 seconds then plug it back in. Once the Internet and PC connectivity lights are on you should have your Internet connectivity back.

You've probably heard this before, always enable your router's wireless security. Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption is the oldest (and weakest) form of security; the newer (and stronger) Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA-2 are the best protection available today for home users. If you do not enable your routers Encryption not only is the data you are sending back and forth accessible by others, so is your Internet connection. This will help ensure that you don't have any neighbors leeching off your wireless connection. To use this you simply login to your router (see the users manual for how to do this as it varies from brand to brand), and look under the section that will say either security or encryption.

Every router has a well-known default password that's used to access the router's browser-based configuration page. Some setup wizards will make you change this password. If it does not ask you to change this in the set up you will want to do this yourself. This helps you avoid having anyone able to access your router without your knowledge.

All routers include internal read-only chips with embedded instructions that can and are updated by the manufacturer. Router manufacturers generally update a product's firmware to increase performance as well as to resolve bugs and security issues. Its in your best interest to keep your router's firmware up-to-date. Check the manufacturer's Web site for the latest updates.

If walls and distance are causing wireless signal degradation, you can do a few things to increase your signal range. Move your router to a higher position such as on a shelf or on top of a cabinet. The signal radiates downwards. You can also try a signal extender (or repeater), which boosts the signal.

If you lose or forget your router's login credentials, you can reset the router to its factory settings. Do this by holding down the button on the back of it for 30 seconds. Its usually recessed into the box so you may need a pen to be able to press it. You will then want to look in the manual for the default user name and password, and then change them through the configuration page.

Unless you disable it, your router broadcasts its service set identifier (SSID)—the name of your network (This means when you look for available wireless connections the name of your router appears). This allows your neighbors to see (and attempt to gain access to) your network. Instead, you may want to disable broadcasting, making the network appear as "SSID not broadcast." This means to connect you will need to type in the name of the network before accessing it.

The majority of today's networks operate in the 2.4GHz frequency range, which is shared by microwaves, cordless phones, and other home networks. To avoid possible interference, many new routers are capable of broadcasting at 5GHz, which has 23 wide-open channels as opposed to 2.4GHz's three non-overlapping channels.

Wireless B and G (and some draft N) routers operate at the 2.4GHz frequency. This only has three non-overlapping channels: 1, 6 and 11. By default, your router will be using one of these channels, and the so are your neighbors' routers. If you experience dropped connections, sluggish connection speeds or both, a good first step is to switch the channel.

If you're in a public place with an open wifi connection, you're going to want to disable File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.