Mapping Drives

  • Thread starter Thread starter David
  • Start date Start date
D

David

First of all here is my setup:

Host: XP Pro (connects to internet + Firewall)

Computer 1: XP Pro, (client to host)
Computer 2 ME, (Client to host)
Computer 3 NT4SP2 (Client to host)
Computer 4 98SE (Client to host)

All computers connect to the host via a 10/100 hub and all work perfectly.

What I would like to know is if i map drives to and from the 4 client
computers to each other but i dont map the host computer if some one does
manage to get thru the firewall will they be able to access the other
computers and will a virus be able to transfer itself around the network
 
First of all here is my setup:

Host: XP Pro (connects to internet + Firewall)

Computer 1: XP Pro, (client to host)
Computer 2 ME, (Client to host)
Computer 3 NT4SP2 (Client to host)
Computer 4 98SE (Client to host)

All computers connect to the host via a 10/100 hub and all work perfectly.

What I would like to know is if i map drives to and from the 4 client
computers to each other but i dont map the host computer if some one does
manage to get thru the firewall will they be able to access the other
computers and will a virus be able to transfer itself around the network
Click to expand...

David,

Hackers don't always require established network connections (mapped
drives) between computers to do their work. Neither do virii - some
virii transmit thru mapped drives, others make their own connections.

That said, keep established mapped drives / shares to a minimum, use
non-trivial userids and passwords on all computers, and don't
routinely login with administrative rights unless necessary.

Religiously use, and update, virus and spyware detection / protection
on all computers.

Harden your browser. See these websites for browser security
checking:
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/sid-fd590083d396cca26ae66ad668620d0a/index.php
https://testzone.secunia.com/browser_checker/

Keep your operating systems up to date. Use Windows Update regularly.

A firewall on the host is a good start. Review the firewall logs
regularly, look for entries that don't belong.

Consider getting a NAT router to put between the host and the
internet. A NAT router and software firewall is NOT excessive
protection. NAT routers are available for dialup as well as broadband
internet access, and are just as necessary.

Cheers,

Chuck
I hate spam - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
 
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