I'm sorry if I'm duplicating what has gone before-- I hadn't noticed this thread before, but:
Normally the cable people will provide a MODEM with a single (wired) ethernet output. You'll have to supply the router yourself. Personally, I would not run a wireless LAN--they're too easy to break into, in either direction, i.e., to listen to your traffic or to send _under your name_ spam, pornography, etc. A person with a small gain antenna can access your wireless LAN from a couple hundred feet away, in a car or whatever. I think it is worth the wiring to do it right.
Just my 2 cents worth. --doug
An open network. That's a duh. WEP. You'll have to collect at least 100 mb of air waves and it's not always successful for pulling a key. So it can take awhile. WPA. They can pull a dictionary attack, if your using a PSK? But it really becomes difficult to crack this one (I have yet to do it!). It's rated right along side with a wired LAN and your passwords are only as strong as you make them! If your ever curious, Try doing it to yourself? JD