How to Un-network?

[Paul E]

My son has a new Dell (XP PRO) that was networked (MSHOME workgroup and all
that) via a LinkSys router here at home where we have Internet via cable
that is connected to the LinkSys broadband router. He has taken the
computer to University, plugged it into the university supplied Ethernet
port and is on-line, no problem.

However, IT support advised him to remove his "network" (?) and simply use
the connection as he risks some clever person making use of his resources in
some manner. This is "greek" to me although it sounds like his connection
is made as part of the default MSHOME "workgroup" and therein lies the
problem?

So, if you can make sense of what he may have been told (quite clearly I am
sure, and I have to apologize for the second-hand translation), what does he
need to do to make his computer a bit safer?

Thanks for any and all tips.

Paul

 

[Ken Wickes [MSFT]]

They probably just don't want him having exposed file shares on the campus
network.

1. Run a firewall, he should be doing this anyway. This should be enough
to protect shares, but he can do more...

2. Disable the guest account, unless he needs it for something.

3. For additional safety, you can unbind File and Printer sharing from the
network adapter.

 

[Paul E]

Thank you kindly for your prompt reply. I will look into those items. I
received a message from my son indicating that it was concern that someone
may be able to hijack his allotted bandwidth. Do the actions you have
indicated address that? Sorry for the vagueness. Hopefully I can find out
much more soon...

They probably just don't want him having exposed file shares on the campus
network.

1. Run a firewall, he should be doing this anyway. This should be enough
to protect shares, but he can do more...

2. Disable the guest account, unless he needs it for something.

3. For additional safety, you can unbind File and Printer sharing from the
network adapter.

--

Ken Wickes [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

My son has a new Dell (XP PRO) that was networked (MSHOME workgroup and all
that) via a LinkSys router here at home where we have Internet via cable
that is connected to the LinkSys broadband router. He has taken the
computer to University, plugged it into the university supplied Ethernet
port and is on-line, no problem.

However, IT support advised him to remove his "network" (?) and simply use
the connection as he risks some clever person making use of his

resources

in
some manner. This is "greek" to me although it sounds like his connection
is made as part of the default MSHOME "workgroup" and therein lies the
problem?

So, if you can make sense of what he may have been told (quite clearly I am
sure, and I have to apologize for the second-hand translation), what

does

he
need to do to make his computer a bit safer?

Thanks for any and all tips.

Paul

 

[Ken Wickes [MSFT]]

Hmm, the only thing I can think of is if he is running a wireless adapter.
Is he?

--

Ken Wickes [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Thank you kindly for your prompt reply. I will look into those items. I
received a message from my son indicating that it was concern that someone
may be able to hijack his allotted bandwidth. Do the actions you have
indicated address that? Sorry for the vagueness. Hopefully I can find out
much more soon...

They probably just don't want him having exposed file shares on the campus
network.

1. Run a firewall, he should be doing this anyway. This should be enough
to protect shares, but he can do more...

2. Disable the guest account, unless he needs it for something.

3. For additional safety, you can unbind File and Printer sharing from the
network adapter.

--

Ken Wickes [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

My son has a new Dell (XP PRO) that was networked (MSHOME workgroup

and
all

that) via a LinkSys router here at home where we have Internet via cable
that is connected to the LinkSys broadband router. He has taken the
computer to University, plugged it into the university supplied Ethernet
port and is on-line, no problem.

However, IT support advised him to remove his "network" (?) and simply use
the connection as he risks some clever person making use of his

resources

in
some manner. This is "greek" to me although it sounds like his connection
is made as part of the default MSHOME "workgroup" and therein lies the
problem?

So, if you can make sense of what he may have been told (quite clearly

I
am

sure, and I have to apologize for the second-hand translation), what

does

he
need to do to make his computer a bit safer?

Thanks for any and all tips.

Paul

 

[Paul E]

Thank you Ken, that is comforting, because at home, I connect his computer
via a Linksys wireless USB adaptor (which stays here) and perhaps the IT guy
saw the drivers and LAN Monitor and though he was going to implement them.
In a university famed for computing science, I can see that would not be
wise as the kids would likely have lots of fun sniffing out WAPs and
breaking WEP.

I have taken the actions you have recommended before.

The time you and your colleagues, and others here on the NG, take to help us
neophytes is greatly appreciated by all, I am sure.

Paul

Hmm, the only thing I can think of is if he is running a wireless adapter.
Is he?

--

Ken Wickes [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Thank you kindly for your prompt reply. I will look into those items. I
received a message from my son indicating that it was concern that someone
may be able to hijack his allotted bandwidth. Do the actions you have
indicated address that? Sorry for the vagueness. Hopefully I can find out
much more soon...

They probably just don't want him having exposed file shares on the campus
network.

1. Run a firewall, he should be doing this anyway. This should be enough
to protect shares, but he can do more...

2. Disable the guest account, unless he needs it for something.

3. For additional safety, you can unbind File and Printer sharing

from
the

network adapter.

--

Ken Wickes [MSFT]
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.


My son has a new Dell (XP PRO) that was networked (MSHOME workgroup and
all
that) via a LinkSys router here at home where we have Internet via cable
that is connected to the LinkSys broadband router. He has taken the
computer to University, plugged it into the university supplied Ethernet
port and is on-line, no problem.

However, IT support advised him to remove his "network" (?) and

simply
use

the connection as he risks some clever person making use of his resources
in
some manner. This is "greek" to me although it sounds like his connection
is made as part of the default MSHOME "workgroup" and therein lies the
problem?

So, if you can make sense of what he may have been told (quite

clearly

I