FIle Sharing

I have two computers, both with XP, sharing the internet with a hub. I put a file in a shared folder, and I could access it from the second computer, does that mean others were able to access it?

I turned off file sharing on the folder on both computers, and when I try to access them I get an error saying I cant get to them.

Also, when I went to network connections (desktop icon), I had a folder for my computer, and the other one hooked up through the net ( a folder for it as well), and a third one with an odd name, that suddenly dissappeard, could that have been someone tyring to get to my files?

I have not networked them, they only share the internet with the hub.

Having left file sharing on, could anyone have done anything serious to my computer, I didnt have any importnat files in there that were important.


Thanks

>>I have two computers, both with XP, sharing the internet with a hub. I put a file in a shared folder, and I could access it from the second computer, does that mean others were able to access it?

Yes. File sharing, or part of it at least, is done with NETBIOS, a networking protocall(?), and uses port 139. Anybody and they're brother can connect to a computer with a network with file shareing via 139 and internet explorer. My best advice to you is to read that article u posted for me and private protect your folders.

>>I turned off file sharing on the folder on both computers, and when I try to access them I get an error saying I cant get to them.

Thats because your not sharing them. When you disable sharing on a computer the other computer doesn't know about that folder anymore, so to speak.

>>Also, when I went to network connections (desktop icon), I had a folder for my computer, and the other one hooked up through the net ( a folder for it as well), and a third one with an odd name, that suddenly dissappeard, could that have been someone tyring to get to my files?

No, you wouldn't see that here. More then likely it had a name like "C: on basement" for example. When you share a folder, lets say the c: drive, and give it a name like i did as to which pc its on, the basement in this case, this folder may appear in there kind of like a "shortcut". The folder you saw was one of a few things:

a) A folder you had shared before unsharing them and hadn't opend network connections since sharing it, the computer made an attempt to shortcut it then failed at lack of file sharing.

b) A temp folder for windows or a glitch, nothing to worry about.

>>I have not networked them, they only share the internet with the hub.

Then you networked them. Not saying you are sharing files, but thats a network : )

>>Having left file sharing on, could anyone have done anything serious to my computer, I didnt have any importnat files in there that were important.

From a hacker standpoint, not saying i am one, any access is good access. Once inside they could have if they had the energy, but most likely would not spend it. Just disable letting users change your files and prevent uploads from any computer but yours so they can't place a virus, get a decent firewall and lookup securing xp. Once you do that pm me the security site i'm a lil paranoid myself :P

>>Thanks

Anytime, good luck.

Also the last reply i indicated a few settings to adjust, those, as well as others, can be found ry going into admin tools and going to local security policy.

To see admin tools, right click on start and open properties, go to customize start menu and click "show admin tools".