Ok, phew. I think it's resolved. I went to Control Panel/Network & Internet/Network & Sharing/Manage Wireless Networks.

Under my network name it says "WEP-Personal". I believe that the "WEP" indicates that it's secure, right?

There's also something else (another network?) that is named "YV8DO". Under that it repeats YV8D0, and under that it says WEP. I don't recognize that at all. Not sure if I should delete it. (BTW, I have Vista).

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is the weakest security you can have on your network next to having no security at all. The strongest security you can have in your wireless network is WPA2-Personal (WiFi Protected Access). That is the one you want. You need to set your wireless network security through your router. What brand and model number router do you have?

If you don't see the same thing for your network that you are seeing on those others as to locked and secure your own may be unsecured. If you don't have to enter a passphrase into any new device that logs on to your network for the first time that means that you are unsecured.

WPA 2 is currently the most secure settings.

I have a Linksys Wireless-G 2.4 Ghz router.

What model number, there are many different linksys models so that information can let us give you the proper methods to make changes and know if it offers the higher security settings, my model is on the bottom.

Oh my - - - my poor old eyes! The model text is tiny. I think it is: WRT54G V8

Oh my - - - my poor old eyes! The model text is tiny. I think it is: WRT54G V8

Sorry for the double post. Thanks for helping; I appreciate it and will value your advice. I am about to go out for a few hours; don't want you to think that I just "went away".

Suzie, here is how you can make your wireless network more secure. Perform the following steps:

1. In your internet browser, type 192.168.1.1 and hit ENTER

2. If you are asked for a User name and Password, the default name for both of them is: admin
If you want to create a unique User name and Password for this access, you can do so, but make sure you remember what it is, or write it down. This user name and password allows access to your Linksys Setup Page. You can keep the default, or create your own. By creating your own user name and password, you are creating another layer of security for your wireless network.

3. You should next see the Linksys Wireless Router Setup Page. Click on the Wireless tab at the top, and then you will need to give your wireless network a name at the Network Name(SSID) location. This is the name that everyone will see, just like how you saw your neighbors wireless networks. If you give it a unique name, people will see it, but they probably won't know that it is your network. A second option is just below this area. If you click on "Disable" for the SSID Broadcast, your network will not be visible to the other networks around you. After you have made all your choices, you must click "Save Settings" at the bottom of the page for your changes to take effect. You should then see a message that says "Settings are successful".

4.Next, under the same Wireless tab, click on "Wireless Security". At the Security Mode option, click the drop-down arrow and choose WPA2-Personal; then choose TKIP encryption if not already chosen. Then, VERY IMPORTANT...you will need to choose a passphrase. The passphrase will be used to sign into your network, make it by using a combination of letters, numbers, and other characters (exclamation point, asterisk, pound sign, etc.) so that it will be difficult for a hacker to figure it out. Write down this pass phrase, and put it somewhere that you can find it and it is secure. If you can memorize it, that is even better. After you have done this, click Save Settings at the bottom, and you should now have a much more secure network!!!

I always suggest, the password to the router and the passphrase to the network, write them down on a small card or paper and tape it to the router itself usually on the bottom somewhere. You will need these so definitely write them down somewhere you know you will find. I say if they manage to break into my house and steal my pc and my router then they can have that info too because I will likely be dead and I hope they will be wounded too LOL

you will need to enter that network passphrase on any device you will want to connect to your wireless including your tablets or laptops etc.

I also never use an SSID name that can be linked to me or my house.
I choose to let the router program choose my passphrase I know that it will be extremely secure that way.
I do advise changing the routers password at least from the default admin so that no one else can gain access to your router settings this is totally different from the passphrase for your network.

below is a link to exactly what you will be seeing when you enter your router settings you can click on the various tabs and see the options including the wireless security settings.

Here is a link that might be useful: linksys inside

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will try all of those suggestions tonight, than rest easily (or at least more easily), because of you. I appreciate everyone's help. Will report back if I have a problem or if I am successful, either way

Yes, let us know either way. Feedback is helpful when an issue has been resolved.

Thanks raven, for the additional tips and info. Two heads are better than one. :)