question on sharing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ben
  • Start date Start date
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Ben

Hi all,

I have a question. I've read the following article on XP
Simple File sharing on XP at Practicallynetworked.com.
There is something in the article I don't understand.
When you create a hidden share, it doesn't appear on
other network computers. The part I don't understand it
says if you want other network computers to access it,
map it as a network drive.

What would be the purpose of creating a hidden share,
then to allow others access it by mapping? Would it just
be like sharing and letting everyone on the network
access it like they normally would?

Maybe I'm missing something but if you create a hidden
share don't let other except you know and don't map the
drive and specify a path to a hidden share.

Here's the article:

Windows XP Simple File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing
..htm

Any ideas?
 
Hi all,

I have a question. I've read the following article on XP
Simple File sharing on XP at Practicallynetworked.com.
There is something in the article I don't understand.
When you create a hidden share, it doesn't appear on
other network computers. The part I don't understand it
says if you want other network computers to access it,
map it as a network drive.

What would be the purpose of creating a hidden share,
then to allow others access it by mapping? Would it just
be like sharing and letting everyone on the network
access it like they normally would?

Maybe I'm missing something but if you create a hidden
share don't let other except you know and don't map the
drive and specify a path to a hidden share.

Here's the article:

Windows XP Simple File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing
.htm

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Ben,

The idea of the hidden share is part of the concept of Security By
Obscurity. If you make network resources invisible, it is Just a
Little bit harder, for the folks you don't tell about them, to figure
out what they are without your help.

Security By Obscurity is argued about frequently in various network
forums ("hidden" network shares) and internet forums ("stealth"
internet connections, dynamic ip addresses). A hidden share is only
hidden to someone who depends upon the network browser (a resource
available under network protocols like NetBIOS or Netbeui). Scanning
for hidden shares is a trivial exercise to a determined hacker.

Cheers,

Chuck
(e-mail address removed)
Spam sucks - PLEASE get rid of the spam before emailing me!
Trusted Computing? Right! http://www.againsttcpa.com/
 
"Ben" said:
Hi all,

I have a question. I've read the following article on XP
Simple File sharing on XP at Practicallynetworked.com.
There is something in the article I don't understand.
When you create a hidden share, it doesn't appear on
other network computers. The part I don't understand it
says if you want other network computers to access it,
map it as a network drive.

What would be the purpose of creating a hidden share,
then to allow others access it by mapping? Would it just
be like sharing and letting everyone on the network
access it like they normally would?

Maybe I'm missing something but if you create a hidden
share don't let other except you know and don't map the
drive and specify a path to a hidden share.

Here's the article:

Windows XP Simple File Sharing
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I wrote that article, so I'll try to explain.

If you don't want anyone (including yourself) to access a file/folder
over the network, don't share the file/folder.

Only someone who knows the name of the hidden share can map a network
drive to it. You know the name of the hidden share, so you can access
it. If there are other people who you want to give access to, tell
them its name. Don't tell its name to anyone else.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
Course you'd need to remove the hidden administrative
share at the root of every physical drive...
 
"Joe" said:
Course you'd need to remove the hidden administrative
share at the root of every physical drive...
Click to expand...

That's not needed, Joe. The question is about simple file sharing.
XP Home Edition, which always has simple file sharing enabled, doesn't
have hidden administrative shares. XP Professional doesn't allow
networked access to hidden administrative shares when simple file
sharing is enabled.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
 
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