Prevent access to shared files from other PCs on xp home network

[Hopespoppa]

I want to provide internet-only connectivity for my renter's PC via my home
router's LAN port 4. It shouldn't be able to access shared files and folders
within my PCs networked by the same router. All of my PCs use XP home, but
I can't know what PC will be used by my renter.

I've learned to use XP home in safe mode to utilize XP pro sharing
permissons, but I can't get XP home to 'see' user accounts of the other PCs
in the network to select them for permission.

Any better strategy?

 

[Lem]

I want to provide internet-only connectivity for my renter's PC via my home
router's LAN port 4. It shouldn't be able to access shared files and folders
within my PCs networked by the same router. All of my PCs use XP home, but
I can't know what PC will be used by my renter.

I've learned to use XP home in safe mode to utilize XP pro sharing
permissons, but I can't get XP home to 'see' user accounts of the other PCs
in the network to select them for permission.

Any better strategy?

A safer way would be to use a wireless router that offers "AP Isolation
Mode" (or words to that effect) and have the renter connect to the
router wirelessly.

Or get a second router and set up a separate subnet. This page by MVP
Jack discusses segregating wired and wireless networks, but both routers
can be wired-only if you don't want to use wireless:
http://www.ezlan.net/shield.html

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm

 

[Hopespoppa]

Thanks Lem,
My current rounter is a DLink DI624 which doesn't have AP Isolation and
doesn't get/receive a strong signal to the rental. I just spent $50 for
Cat5 cable. Not sure I want to spend much more on a new/additional router.

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
This is more, but not Much More ($18 free ship),
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833156001
Otherwise, you should use static IPs on your Network and block with software
Firewall's Trusted Zone any communication that is not from one of your
static IPs.
Jack (MS, MVP-Networking)

 

[Hopespoppa]

Thanks Jack for the link and response. I might have to spend the money.
Setting my home PC with a static IP is not a problem but I bring home my
laptop from work very often and don't want to/ may-not-be-able-to change it
from Dynamic IP.

If I'm going to buy another router, would there be a way to place it in the
rental to give them the convenience of wireless too? As long as I have the
password to the router.... or can they just reset the router to default pass
by unplugging it?
hmmmmmm

 

[Lem]

Routers can easily be reset to factory defaults by anyone with physical
access to the router. But the use of the second router could be even
more easily defeated by simply unplugging the input Ethernet cable from
the router and connecting it instead into the renter's own computer
(that is, removing the second router from the system).

The only thing that the rental unit people should be able to see is
either an Ethernet jack (if you had things wired nicely) or the end of
an Ethernet cable. You should keep the second router under your control,
either in your own house or in a locked portion of the rental unit. If
you do have a secure portion of the rental unit that is not metal-lined
(e.g., a closet with a wooden door) you could put a wireless router in
there, assuming that the secured enclosure also has a power outlet
available).

Thanks Jack for the link and response. I might have to spend the money.
Setting my home PC with a static IP is not a problem but I bring home my
laptop from work very often and don't want to/ may-not-be-able-to change it
from Dynamic IP.

If I'm going to buy another router, would there be a way to place it in the
rental to give them the convenience of wireless too? As long as I have the
password to the router.... or can they just reset the router to default pass
by unplugging it?
hmmmmmm

--
Lem -- MS-MVP

To the moon and back with 2K words of RAM and 36K words of ROM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Guidance_Computer
http://history.nasa.gov/afj/compessay.htm