File Sharing and firewall

[Guest]

I have two desktop computer and laptop. My files in my desktop computer in my
room and dorm at campus on. I often carry my laptop with me to classroom,
work, whereplace on campus in my university. I can connect my desktop
computer thru file share network. The desktop computer has firewall enabled
and file sharing enable. It is still connected network. I use my laptop with
wired/wireless network. I can't connect to my desktop computer if it's
firewall enable. I can connect to it if the firewall is not enabled. But I
can use my laptop to control thru remote desktop connection if it is still on
firewall enable. I always leave firewall disenable on my desktop computer
because it can allow to share my files. But it is risk right.. Help me. how
can connect the desktop computer with firewall enable on. Thanks..

 

[LittleMoo]

Yes, it's a very bad idea to run a computer without a firewall enabled. You
might need to get into the firewall's settings and explicitly allow whatever
file sharing program that you are using access to the internet. Some
firewall programs have seperate web and server settings (such as ZoneAlarm I
believe - haven't used it in a while) - so you'll have to allow all
connections for the web and server settings for your program.

-Dan