firewall and file sharing on network

[Paul]

I have a small wireless office network of 5 computers. 3
are XP and 2 are Windows 98. I use this nearly exclusively
for the sharing of documents and other basic files along
with a broadband internet connection. We don't use
programs across the network. I am wondering if it is
necessary to have a firewall set up on each computer. All
computers are currently running Symantec protection
programs. Also, if I should have firewalls, what can I do
to allow file-sharing across the network. We need to be
able to access and change files directly across the
network.

 

[snifferpro]

A firewall is used to protect your machines from the internet.
It does not prevent you from sharing files of any type betweeen
computers on your network.

If you have 5 machines connected to the internet through one broadband
connection, you should definitely have a firewall in place.

You would need at least a 4 port firewall and a hub to get all
machines behind the firewall.

 

[Guest]

For a small trusted network, a firewall is not needed on each machine unless you want to absolute highest level of security. Each machine that can be accessed from the internet (direct internet connection) should be running a firewall.

File Sharing
Windows 95/98/ME use NetBIOS using port 139.
Windows 2000/XP/2003 can use NetBIOS using port 139 and 445(NetBIOS over TCP/IP).

To allow file sharing, you should open NetBIOS port 139 for access to your own trusted network (NOT to the outside internet connection). Other ports like 135,137, and 138 TCP and UDP might also need to be open for browsing (network neighborhood), but may not be required.


----- Paul wrote: -----

I have a small wireless office network of 5 computers. 3
are XP and 2 are Windows 98. I use this nearly exclusively
for the sharing of documents and other basic files along
with a broadband internet connection. We don't use
programs across the network. I am wondering if it is
necessary to have a firewall set up on each computer. All
computers are currently running Symantec protection
programs. Also, if I should have firewalls, what can I do
to allow file-sharing across the network. We need to be
able to access and change files directly across the
network.