BleepingComputer.com: Securing Home Network (questions!) + Programs

My dad a few years back created a router so he could get internet reception for his VAIO Laptop (which is still in use) and since then two more computers (my sister's laptop and desktop) and an iTouch have been using our 'network'. The other computers I plan to install the same protection as I have (my sister's computers are Vista's and dad's is an XP) They are probably virus-infected since they have been using an unupdated Norton Anti-Virus.

I'm currently on the original desktop that the router starts from, and I don't know anything about my router's work and anything. I want to know about what I can do to my router, what I can do to secure it even more + other facts. I just know that when people want to connect to it, they have to insert a password. It is a Belkin router that is 802.11g.

I recently decided to protect my computer, and I installed the following security programs on it:

AVG Free 8.0
Spybot Search & Destroy
COMODO Firewall Pro
Ad-Aware Free

What else can I do to protect my own desktop? I've heard of Anti-rookits, what is your view? What else should I install? (Only Free products please)

My desktop is:

Sony VAIO VGC-RB50
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 640 (3.2 GHz)
FSB - 800MHz
512MB of PC-3200 400MHz DDR SDRAM
250GB 7200RPM Serial ATA™ HDD
Running Windows XP

Where can I control my router? Is there anything I can do further secure my network connection? I tried looking around and there is practically nothing. In my Network Connections I see:

1394 Connection
Connected
1394 Net Adapter

and

Local Area Connection
Connected
Intel® PRO/100 VE Network Connection

What are these things? What do they mean? Are any of these connections my router?

My main concern is just securing the network connection so people cannot hack in and do whatever they want to all the computers connected to it. Are their any long guides that you can recommend me to read or anything? I don't know much about networks and routers so I need you guys to fill me in.

Thanks

Hi theparade and welcome to Bleepingcomputer.

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In addition to what you have already you can also install spywareblaster and IEspyad.
They can all be found here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic405.html

If you want to have an anti-rookit you can use F-secure blacklight. More information on rookits can be found Here

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Well one thing that I do to stay protected is put a password on my network connection. That prevents people from using my network.

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I'm not sure which one your using because I don't know what is your routor like. My routor is wireless so its wireless connection 2 if your not wireless your most likely Local Area Connection or maybe something else.

One thing you can try is enable one of them at a time and see which one works when you go on the Net, whichever one works thats most likely the network connection your using. you might even have more than one.

Regards,
Extremeboy