You can buy a home router, which will often have some firewall capability, and hook up home pcs. They often have 4 ports. If your pcs have wireless network cards, you can buy a wireless home router, or buy it bundled. You can connect to the wireless router using a network cable, as well, so if the cable somes in near 1 pc, it can be wired, and the laptop downstairs can be wireless. Wireless signal is not robust and does not cover great distance, I think 40 ft is about max.

They'll never know. Just buy a home router and it will make your two computers seem like one. The only problem you'll run into is if you need someone on the internet to connect to you (various video games and file sharing protocols require this). Then you'll have to learn how to set up port forwarding. It's really pretty easy though.

Basically what happens [I think] is that the router takes the IP address that Cox sends you and the computers that bind to the router get fake IP addresses.

Cable companies don't like to support routers, but most of them turn a blind eye these days.

Hmm, okay. So if I buy this, I take it the four connections in the back will allow you to connect it to a normal LAN card via ethernet cable and then you use the other part in the USB port on the computer you want to be wireless? On something like this, would a wireless-ready laptop (don't have one at the moment) or something similar be able to connect as well? Or do you need that funky looking USB thing on any computer that you use in order for it to work with one like this? *truly clueless*

Watuc, I linked that as an example, although newegg gets good reviews. Yes, you can connect 4 wired devices and some wireless devices. That bundle has a USB wireless card. If you don't need it, get just the router If you don't need wireless get just a router.

The USB wireless card(adapter, really, it's not a card, but what the heck) can be used in a laptop or desktop that has a free USB port. Recent computers tend to have lots. A wireless capable laptop would connect to the wireless router easily. New laptops do tend to have wireless built in.

Wireless is inherently not secure. It can be secured, but if you're doing anything very sensitive, use wired only, or get some help securing it. DLink specs say 100 meters indoors, which is probably optimistic, but still pretty good.

It can be good to shop at a local Staples or Circuit City in case you have to return anything, or want local advice. It's usually painless, but computers love surprises. The technology and the interfaces have been improving.

You'll need to get at your current connection settings. If you use windows, try opening a DOS box and then this

ipconfig /all

if you want to save a copy, cd to your Desktop and try

ipconfig /all > settings.txt

The install CD should get you hooked up, but you might need to refer to this later (like say, the router eats lightning during a storm, and you have to revert back to the one computer setup until you can replace it.)