Networking and file sharing question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tom
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Tom

I have two PCs wired on a belkin router B type under Win XP Pro.
Its a simple home network setup under winxp network wizard. One PC has
a printer hooked up and the other is set to access the printer.
The question is about security. Usually they warn you about
turning file sharing on for all the drives. I want to access *all* of
the drives from each PC. So I go under File Explorer or My Computer
and turn each drives file sharing on. However this says *any* PC
connected to my network will have access to all drives. Is the windows
firewall alone adequate protection? I also have the Belkin B router in
place obviously connected to a cable modem.
Is there another method thats better for security? Would using
Zone Alarm be better? Why isnt there some setting where you can
specify *only* my other PC can have access to my PC using a password?
There is under remote access but I found that a hassle to use.
 
I have two PCs wired on a belkin router B type under Win XP Pro.
Its a simple home network setup under winxp network wizard. One PC has
a printer hooked up and the other is set to access the printer.
The question is about security. Usually they warn you about
turning file sharing on for all the drives. I want to access *all* of
the drives from each PC. So I go under File Explorer or My Computer
and turn each drives file sharing on. However this says *any* PC
connected to my network will have access to all drives. Is the windows
firewall alone adequate protection? I also have the Belkin B router in
place obviously connected to a cable modem.
Is there another method thats better for security? Would using
Zone Alarm be better? Why isnt there some setting where you can
specify *only* my other PC can have access to my PC using a password?
There is under remote access but I found that a hassle to use.
Click to expand...

B careful with ZA and printer sharing..........do a google to see others
with problems.
 
B careful with ZA and printer sharing..........do a google to see others
with problems.
Click to expand...

Be careful with ZA in general. It's a total piece of shit.

Get Kerio Personal Firewall. The USAF uses it.
 
If you enable file and print sharing you can share files on your local network. The firewall built into the router will prevent anyone else (on the internet) from accessing your files. If wireless access is enabled on the router you should have encryption enabled. If you are even slightly paranoid you can also use a software router e.g. ZoneAlarm an each PC and restrict access to only your own PCs by IP address or MAC address.
 
I have two PCs wired on a belkin router B type under Win XP Pro.
Its a simple home network setup under winxp network wizard. One PC has
a printer hooked up and the other is set to access the printer.
The question is about security. Usually they warn you about
turning file sharing on for all the drives. I want to access *all* of
the drives from each PC. So I go under File Explorer or My Computer
and turn each drives file sharing on. However this says *any* PC
connected to my network will have access to all drives. Is the windows
firewall alone adequate protection? I also have the Belkin B router in
place obviously connected to a cable modem.
Is there another method thats better for security? Would using
Zone Alarm be better? Why isnt there some setting where you can
specify *only* my other PC can have access to my PC using a password?
There is under remote access but I found that a hassle to use.
Click to expand...


The issue with sharing on your lan is whether you trust all
members on that lan and whether anyone else has access to
these systems. If not, your router is a layer of protection
and you don't need other firewalls for this purpose, BUT
they might still be useful for other reasons such as
blocking outbound traffic. For example, if you had
contracted a trojan or other malware, by default your router
may not block outbound communications nor that trojan
downloading more code. Your router might allow limiting
which ports are open, or a firewall could. There is more to
it than that, but it is a beginning description of the
situation- for most comprehensive coverage of home lan
security and firewalls, Google will find more extensive
coverage.

The wireless feature of the router is a potential
insecurity. You can set up whatever forms of encryption or
filtering yours can support, but since you are not using the
wireless feature of the router you should consider disabling
that altogether.
 
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