Home Network - Questions & Security

[mJess]

Hi guys!

After a much succesful experience on this forum, I am very enthusiastic about finding answers to this issue.

Here it goes:

A little background info:
-------------------------
3 computers on network: Win2K (main computer), two WinXP Home Edition computers (one is a desktop, other one a laptop).
Linksys Wireless Router. ISP: Comcast.

All computers have "Enable Netbios over TCP/IP" enabled.

Problem: We can access some computers but we can't others.

Before we begin with more detailed information, we would like to know if it's possible to SAFELY set up our network. We have heard that File and Printer sharing is very dangerous.

In addition, we would like to know if we can use ZoneAlarm with our network. We have noticed that when ZA is on, we can't ping each other at all.

Help MUCH appreciated,

Jess

 

[bcastner]

XP Home uses "Simple File sharing" by default. Everything depends on whether you have changed that setting or not.

Simple File Sharing Enabled

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp/filesharing.htm

Simple File Sharing Disabled

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/sharing/xp_filesharing/index.htm

 

[cadaveca]

the easiest way for you to ensure security on your network is to have your shares use a pswd (user has to enter pswd to access drive,folder,what have u); although because you have a router, the ip's that your pc's have should all be 192's (private ip's)and be secure enough with the built in firewall on your router... i would be more concerned about your nieghbours accessing your connection via the wireless router(most wireless routers have a 50-150 ft range)