You need a modem that is cable of connecting by ethernet and a wireless routers.   It is next to impossible to find a router that can connect by USB, thus, if your modem is USB only, then you will need to replace it.  The router will allow you to share the internet connection with up to 4 computers connected by wired ethernet and 250 more computers that could connect by wireless.

Steve

Some links for your reading pleasure:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1277020,00.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/security/expert/bowman_wirelesssecurity.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx

 

Unfortunately, they are becoming more and more prevalent.  Especially when an ISP is involved.

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@volcano11 wrote:

[...] It is next to impossible to find a router that can connect by USB [...]

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BT Voyager series?

Many thanks for replying Steve, jmwills and rwm32. i have a better idea now and have lots of reading to do I can see. I'll ring my ISP tomorrow and see what router they recommend. Still a bit confused over 801.xxa, b, or g.Edward

The different Alpha suffixes refer to speeds and distances.  The speed is referenced to any two or more machines on the same wireless netwrok and not download speeds from your ISP.

Many thanks. It's all becoming clearer the more you tell me and I read. Edward