Linksys Wireless Router :: E2500 Not Asking For User Name / Password

Having just upgraded from a WRT54G to a E2500 all I can say is that I'm disappointed with Cisco.Having spent a few hours yesterday trying to resolve issues via Live Chat (ID 130105-001270 & 130105-002081) and spending more time today - I'm truly at wits end. I consider myself pretty knowledgeable with computers and networking.I'm not sure if anyone from Cisco's Tech staff sees these posts but I don't know where else to "complain" in hopes that the next software/firmware update resolves these problem(s).
 
The first is my router's setup screens are totally open when using my desktop. The desktop is hardwired to the router and has the Cisco Connect software installed. I open the Cisco software and go to advanced settings. There I'm shown what my router's name is and its password. This is really strange - why would you wish to display this information PRIOR to requesting username and password? However, once there you can go right into the setup screens by clicking OK.I have also entered these screens directly without being prompted for username/password by using 192.168.1.1 or my router.local via Internet Explorer 8 or Google Chrome. At other times I am denied access because IE cannot display page.I'm concerned because I can hide the Cisco Connect software however, anyone that uses my desktop has full access to my router via the web or Cisco Connect.
 
The second issue is that the password to enter the router and allow access to the internet IS THE SAME! When I had my WRT54G running I had one password (8 alpha characters) to enter setup screens. There was a router generated, 16 alpha/numeric character, password to allow outside devices such as laptops, TVs and game consoles access to the internet. When I set this router up I installed the 16 character password originally used so my laptop and Wii could connect without having to fool around with their settings. Everything was fine until I went into administration and changed the password to my old 8 character one. That is when I found out that the router uses this password setting under administration to control access to the internet AND access to the router settings!
 
I have uninstalled and reinstalled IE 8. I have ensured that my browser's history and caches are clear which they do when I shut IE down. I'm running Windows XP service pack 3 with the "proper" anti-virus and anti-malware software. My system is up-to-date.I have ensured that the router is running the latest firmware 1.0.05 build 2 and software 1.4.11299.0.I have seen other posts suggesting the removal of Cisco Connect however, I feel that this is a bandaid solution.I'm not professing  to be a router technician however, I "feel" the problem might be the fact that the password issue is the problem. Since the same one is being used for both accessing the router and having the router grant access to the net, my desktop is allowed to access the setup screens without being prompted for username and password.