As we enter October and the Halloween season, many things may seem to be scary, Home Networking does not need to be one of them.

Over the next month, we will be helping to unmask some of the seemingly intimidating basics of creating and maintaining a Linksys by Cisco home network. Along with simple text instructions for most tasks, we will be including links to our Knowledge Base and User Forums that contain detailed instructions to help you solve most of the issues you may encounter.

Set up and configuration are the first steps to getting the most out of your home network.

The easiest and least intimidating path to set up is simply to follow the sticker on the router’s advice and “Run the CD First”. The installation wizard that is included with the product has won awards throughout the years for its simplicity and visual representation of the steps involved with the process and can be your escort through the entire process.

 If you don’t have the CD, don’t fret, there are other easy ways to configure your wireless network.

Our Knowledge Base shows you how to handle several tasks at the following links:

• Setting Up the Wireless Settings on a Router -- http://tinyurl.com/ye46jjy
• Checking the existing Wireless Settings on a Router -- http://tinyurl.com/ye8tjst
• Connecting a Windows XP PC with wireless to a Router -- http://tinyurl.com/ljmz4o
• Connecting a Windows Vista PC with wireless to a Router -- http://tinyurl.com/3vta62
• Troubleshooting a PC with wireless that cannot connect to a router -- http://tinyurl.com/yerwmyv

The experiences of other users that are catalogued in our Forums can also help you as you move through your networking journey.

Here are a few helpful links to help you get started:

• Setting up a network -- http://tinyurl.com/ya2tnyu and http://tinyurl.com/ybyftu9
• Setting up a password for wireless access -- http://tinyurl.com/y8rnkuj
• Setting up wireless security -- http://tinyurl.com/yaxgr9y
• Configuring Wireless Security -- http://tinyurl.com/yejawg4
• Changing network settings -- http://tinyurl.com/yeljosl
• Changing Wireless Security Settings -- http://tinyurl.com/ybkbmcj
• Set up a network with a DSL broadband connection -- http://tinyurl.com/ycdofal and http://tinyurl.com/ybzywu3
• Installing an Access Point -- http://tinyurl.com/y8zutrf
• Installing a router as an Access Point -- http://tinyurl.com/ybgszh5

Keep an eye on this space for more tips throughout the month and let us know if you want to hear about a specific part of the networking process via the Comments section.