Configuring Network Security Without Bogging Down Browsing or Performance

I've seen a lot of similar questions on these threads, but I haven't found the answers that work for me. My husband and I each got new laptops this weekend. I have managed to get them connected to my existing home network and things are going okay - I'm able to see other computers on the network and share files. First, here is the configuration:

2 laptop PCs running Vista (64 bit) with Intel WiFi Link 5300 AGN
1 desktop (old) running XP connected via ethernet to:
1 Linksys WRT54G with is the wireless router my laptops access

Since I have configured the network I have experienced intermittent internet access issues. While those issues could be related to my ISP, I want to determine if the security programs I am running are bogging down my access. I am using:

Avast
ZoneAlarm (Vista's Firewall is Disabled)
Ad-Aware

At times, I cannot access the internet at all. If I restart, that usually solves the problem but just for a short spell.

tl;dr - How do I configure Avast, ZoneAlarm, and Ad-Aware to work together if at all?

 

Does all the computer systems experience this issue?

If it's one computer having the issue then clearing the Internet's temporary files/cookies might help. Also go to Start--> Accessories and right click on Command Prompt and Run as Admin. Type ipconfig /flushdns and hit enter then ipconfig /registerdns and hit enter.

Have you tried rebooting the Router by unplugging the power cable and re-plugging it to see if the issue stops?

Does any computer have any heavy streaming or downloads going on when the disconnects happen?

Is the Router set up in Mixed wireless mode or G? If it's in Mixed then change it to G only, if it's in G only then set to Mixed.

Disable Frame Bursting and CTS Protection if they are enabled under the Advanced Wireless section. And ensure that your laptops are running under G Mode and not B if anything. You can check this under the Advanced Properties of the Wireless Cards in Device Manager.

Try changing the Wireless channel on the Router. 6, 11?

When the Internet page not load, is it just one website or various (any) website not loading?

* As it stands those protective programs shouldn't really interefere with each other. But I can tell you that Zone Alarm has been known to cause alot of Internet issues so it might be worth it to uninstall it while you try to test and narrow down to the problem.

 

Thanks for the response. Looks like I have a lot of things I can try. As for the answer to some of your questions: Both laptops experience the problem and it is with any website I visit. Again, though, the problem (so far) is very intermittent. I have been able to surf effortlessly this morning. It is possible that it was just an issue with my ISP yesterday, and I'm being hyper-paranoid because the computers are new. However, I think I'm going to check the router settings, give it a reboot, and check the wireless cards on the laptops.

 

I'm posting again because I experienced access issues again. When I started up my computer this morning I was able to surf the internet without any issue for about an hour and a half - no dodgy sites, either: newspapers, library, emusic, etc. Then, while I was still in my browser (Firefox) I started experiencing the problem again. After restarting my computer, I am able to access the internet w/ease, so here I am.

I did reboot the router before restarting my computer, but that didn't do allow me any access. The issue, though, seems to reside with the connection between the two notebooks and the router as I am able to see the other notebook in my network when I'm having the internet access issue, but not the desktop to which the router is connected.

I checked the network adapter on the notebook, but I don't see anything that let's me set them to "run under G" as suggested above. Currently, the selected option is "802.11n Channel Width for band 2.4" There is an option for "Ad Hoc Channel 802.11 b/g" as well as many others. Since, the router is wireless g, the selection of 802.11n... doesn't seem to match up. Of course, this is me thinking as I type - I'd appreciate continued recommendations.

*Additional information

The problem does not occur on both notebooks at the same time.
Restarting the notebooks has, so far, always restored internet access. Though the problem then recurs for no apparent reason.

 

I've set the wireless mode on my laptop network adapter to 802.11g and made sure the linksys was set to the same instead of b or mixed. They are also on the same channel. I still loose my internet connection and have to restart my computer in order to get it back. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well, if you've tried what I've mentioned above and thoroughly checked other internal sources that might be cause of the issue; then looking at it from a fresh approach it might be either an Internet issue with your ISP or the Router might need to be replaced.

You can look at your Modem when the connection drops to see if the lights have turned amber, yellow or red an blinking intermittently. (the warning colors for each Modem may be different) Or just look on your Modem when the connection drops and watch the lights, if they are blinking like the Modem seems to be rebooting then it's an issue with either the Modem but most likely the ISPs line.

 

Get rid of ZoneAlarm. You have a router which is a hardware firewall. ZoneAlarm is not only doing nothing beneficial for you, but it is also likely contributing to if not causing the slowness you're experiencing.

 

Several things you could try. If you've got a cable modem lots of places have a status page on 192.168.100.1 you can check out. Another thing is to check out your ISP's gateway that is closest to you, if you can't talk to that then you have connectivity issues with your ISP. Also check DNS (do some dns lookups from the commandline) to make sure that is not your problem.