security on a LAN with accounts computer and net access. Ideas require

[lenny109]

Hi all,

This may not be the correct forum and if it isn't i appologise now, but then again it might be spot on!

I have set up a LAN in an office with a mixed combination of about 10 desktops and laptops. The LAN is connected to a router and a broadband interent connection.

The problem is that 3 of the computers (2 desktops and 1 laptop) are running the accounts package. How can I set up the LAN so that these 3 computers are connected to the same router but are seperate to the rest of the network. I am concerned about the security issue relating to the accounts and would like these systems to be seperate from the rest but still able to 'see' each other.

All computers are running XP Home with only one user and no password set up yet.

Any thoughts about what I should do and maybe how to do it would be most appreciated.

Cheers
Lenny

 

[bcastner]

1. Add passwords
2. Convert your filestores to NTFS
3. See then my tip: thread779-685055

 

[lenny109]

Thanks bcastner,

How will setting a password on the computers make them more secure over the LAN? Also how do I go about doing that? Will the 3 people in accounts still be able to view each others files and change them?

2. What does converting the filestores to NTFS do? can this be done without loosing all the information? When you say 'filestores' do you mean the C drive?

Sorry about the uneducated questions... I am getting there though.

3. Under the security/sharing tab there are only options to share with others on the network or not. If i tick that box how can I allow only those people/computers that also work in accounts to share each others files.

Now we really are getting away from IP questions!

Cheers
Lenny

 

[lenny109]

I forgot to mention and it might matter....the network is set up around a workgroup name and not a domain. Should I give the LAN a domain?

 

[lenny109]

this helped from this thread Thread779-685055

'Security tab is revealed when Simple File Sharing is disabled. Windows Explorer->Tools->Folder Options->View and scroll to the bottom.' (vukodlak75)

once this is done am I then able to allow only certain users (computers) from viewing/sharing and changing files on each other's computers?

I am sure this is sooooooo easy but sometimes I can't see the wood for the trees!

Cheers
Lenny

 

[bcastner]

. Simple File Sharing cannot be disabled on XP Home, only on XP Professional.

. You can convert from FAT32 filestores to NTFS under XP without losing any data.

Start, Run, CMD

VOL C:

Note the name of the disk in the first line, and the Volume Serial Number (for example, 3F4E-2D1B) in the second. Then type:

CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS

It will ask for that name in confirmation. Then it will ask two further questions. Reply Y each time to set up conversion to happen at the next boot, then restart the machine. (If you are converting a partition other than the operating system’s partition, you may find that it runs without rebooting.) After returning to Win XP, the hard disk will work for two or three minutes, tidying up. Leave things alone during this time.

. Using my earlier tip (Thread779-685055) you know can have a Security tab. Use this tab to set permissions on the drive or folders containing your account information by user. Tom, Dick and Harry have full permissions to the accounting files; Mary and Susan have no permissions.