home networking with Internet access

[brian]

Hello,

I have two Windows XP pro machines. They share a router for Internet
access. I don't have any system problems. "Sharing" files between the two
systems works.

But, I would like to know something more about the network setting "File and
Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks". That is the setting I have turned
on for both my computers to share network resources.

I've heard that enabling "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks"
is inherently dangerous. I use NAT (on Linksys router) and ZoneAlarm Pro on
both machines.

If I continue to use "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" and
continue to "share" certain folders and files what external Internet threats
may I encounter? What are the risks involved?

I see no other way to share files and folders between the two systems other
than enabling "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks". Is there
something I should be doing?

 

[James Egan]

If I continue to use "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks" and
continue to "share" certain folders and files what external Internet threats
may I encounter? What are the risks involved?

You should be okay as long as you don't share your root or windows
directory without a password. It is preferable just to share specific
directories that you need.

Keep up to date with operating system patches so you don't fall foul
of malware like remote procedure calls from the blaster worm.

You're wasting system resources by running zapro. Okay, it has
outgoing detection in case you have a clueless clicker using the
machines but other than that it is a waste of time since incoming
connection requests will not go beyond your router unless you
specifically configure it to.


Jim.

 

[DH]

You should be okay as long as you don't share your root or windows
directory without a password. It is preferable just to share specific
directories that you need.

Keep up to date with operating system patches so you don't fall foul
of malware like remote procedure calls from the blaster worm.

You're wasting system resources by running zapro. Okay, it has
outgoing detection in case you have a clueless clicker using the
machines but other than that it is a waste of time since incoming
connection requests will not go beyond your router unless you
specifically configure it to.


Jim.

James,

You say "You should be okay as long as you don't share your root or windows

directory without a password", How about if someone does some

snooping(easily done) and finds an XP installation with "C:\Documents and
Settings/*/*/start programs" is shared. Here's another: McAfee and or
Norton(any antivirus) is not in the root or Windows directory, if I replace
the "executable on startup" file with a virus, Trojan......

With respect I must dispute the contention that you are safe if you don't
share the root or windows directory.


Dave H.

 

[James Egan]

You say "You should be okay as long as you don't share your root or windows
directory without a password", How about if someone does some
snooping(easily done) and finds an XP installation with "C:\Documents and
Settings/*/*/start programs" is shared.

The OP was asking "what external Internet threats may I encounter?"
No-one from the Internet can connect to his share unless he
specifically configures his router to allow it. Even if they are open
(no password).

Here's another: McAfee and or
Norton(any antivirus) is not in the root or Windows directory, if I replace
the "executable on startup" file with a virus, Trojan......

And just how do you go about doing that from a remote location? Maybe
an email, and a quick prayer that the recipient is a clueless clicker.

With respect I must dispute the contention that you are safe if you don't
share the root or windows directory.

I guess you are referring to a machine to which others have access?
That's a different matter entirely and not what the discussion in this
thread is about.


Jim.