belkin wireless router security setup

How to setup security for wireless network and start that security in laptop?

Hi.
I bought Belkin wireless router 2 days back. I am able to run wireless network successfully. But when I setup security I am getting a message in my vista enabled laptop that your laptop is not configured for the security settings and there is a Red Cross at the end of network name.
Now please some1 tell me how to setup security, which option to select and how to configure in laptop also.
Please help me in this matter..

Go to your router mfgr’s website & get the user manual for the unit.
You’ll need to use this for navigating around the ‘Administrative interface”.

Wireless Router settings:
With a CAT5 cable, tether the router to computer; open a browser; in the address bar type 192.168.X.X (see user manual for exact address for administration interface address) & find the Settings for Security (or similar):
Default entrance info page: http://www.routerpasswords.com/

Set for WPA (or WPA2 if your computers support this level) & AES.
(Use WEP only as a last resort: it’s apprentice work to crack).

Also;
Turn off ‘SSID’ broadcast (be sure to give your network a new name (nothing obvious!) & write it down; it will be needed to ‘Add’ your wifi network later in your computer settings;
(Or have a little more security by naming it “[your County's] Sheriff’s Department Intercept”)

Disable: UPnP; QoS (unless using VoIP or gaming); and WAN access to Administrative interface.

Enable: Router management username & bulletproof passphrase (not the same as Internet access password, which would be the PSK (pre-shared key)).
PSK’s should be over 7 characters; letters & numbers (mixed), not words.
Put this # on tape & put on the top of the router for easy access.

Note: Mac address filtering will prevent casual freeloaders, but will not deter committed hackers. Mac addresses are on the front end of packets, therefore un-encrypted & easily copied and used to ‘spoof’ packets; enabling a ‘man in the middle’ attacks.

You might want to also set (in ‘Connections’) as ‘always connected’ to prevent disconnects when there is no activity to or from the Internet.

Computer settings (XP):
If you’re using Windows to configure your Wifi, go to Control Panel> Wireless Network Connections> Wireless Networks tab; here you’ll need to identify all wifi networks your system ‘sees’, and “Add” your newly named network which will NOT show unless you do; then for your own (or preferred) network, highlight it, then ‘move up’ to the top of the list: then, go to ‘Advanced’ button, tick ‘access points only’ and uncheck ‘Automatically connect to non-preferred networks’>close> OK

Vista/Win7 is somewhat different:
To access these settings go to Control Panel (All control panel items)> Network and Sharing Center> Change advanced sharing settings.
There are 2 basic modes: A) Home & Office; or B) Public. Each of which can be tailored to suite your particular situation.
For A)
You may want configurations that allow maximum interaction with minimum connection issues to other devices in your known network.
These may include “turning on” Network discovery; File & Printer sharing; Public folder sharing (read description first); File sharing (read description); Media streaming; and so on. These config’s allow particular functions, so read carefully what they do, and decide if it’s what you want.
For B)
When “on the road”, you’ll want just the opposite conditions: minimum outside access to your system resources.
Keep as much as possible blocked/turned off to prevent snooping.
Again, read what each topic does and decide if it’s what you want.

Spotlight: 150Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter TEW-648UB (802.11n) trendnet TV

router