| An XP wireless access point is like any other | | | | the wireless network connection dialogue box. |
| access point available. The main significance is this | | | | One the left hand panel of the dialogue box you |
| access point is being run on a system using | | | | will see an option that says, "Change the order of |
| Microsoft Windows XP as the operating system. | | | | preferred networks." Clicking on this option opens |
| Each time you attempt to log into a wireless | | | | the wireless network connections dialogue box. |
| network, you will likely see a list of several | | | | Click on the wireless networks tab. You will see a |
| networks available to you. This will include secured | | | | list of your preferred networks. You can scroll |
| networks as well as unsecured networks. You will | | | | through this list to highlight your own wireless |
| not be able to log into the secured networks | | | | network and then select move up. Repeat this |
| unless you have the network keys for these | | | | process until your home network is shown in the |
| networks. However, you are able to log into any | | | | top position. Doing this will ensure your home |
| of the unsecured networks. This article will | | | | network appears at the top of the list of available |
| provide XP wireless access point management | | | | networks. It will also minimize the potential for |
| tips to prevent you from making mistakes when | | | | clicking on and logging into the wrong network. |
| accessing wireless networks. These tips will also | | | | You can also do a few other management related |
| help to speed up your connections. | | | | tasks through the wireless network connection |
| The ability to log onto unsecured wireless | | | | properties dialogue box. One of the important |
| networks without a network keys or passwords | | | | things you can do through this dialogue box is |
| can create problems. Specifically, because it is so | | | | control whether or not your computer will |
| easy to access these networks you may find | | | | automatically connect to this network when it is in |
| yourself doing this more often than not. As a | | | | range. In most cases you do not want to do this |
| result these access points will be displayed in your | | | | because it can put you at risk of being hacked |
| list of preferred networks. Once an access point | | | | when you do not even realize you are connected |
| begins appearing in this location it often leads to | | | | to a network. In order to disable this feature, |
| you inadvertently selecting this network more | | | | select one of the preferred networks listed on |
| often because it is prominently displayed at the | | | | the wireless networks tab. Once this network is |
| top when you attempt to access a wireless | | | | highlighted, select the properties button. This will |
| network. | | | | open the properties dialogue box for the selected |
| Fortunately managing your preferred networks is | | | | network. Select the connection tab at the top of |
| fairly simple. Start out by navigating to your | | | | the dialogue box. If there is a check mark in front |
| wireless network connection dialogue box. Do this | | | | of, "Connect when this network is in range," |
| by clicking on start. Then click on connect to and | | | | remove the check mark to avoid this problem. |
| select wireless network connection. This will open | | | | |