Isolate a PC from all but internet?

[Charles]

My situtation is that I currently have two XP home PC's on a wireless
network. I just put an old 98 computer out in the garage, mostly to
listen to internet radio and do occasional surfing. Since this
computer is more likely to get stolen or something, I'd really like to
make it so it doesn't have access to all the folders shared by the
other computers. All I need is internet. Is there a simple way to
isolate it? I was going to just password protect my folders, but it
looks like XP home doesn't allow that. Thanks.

--

 

[CW]

Firewall

 

[Steve Winograd]

My situtation is that I currently have two XP home PC's on a wireless
network. I just put an old 98 computer out in the garage, mostly to
listen to internet radio and do occasional surfing. Since this
computer is more likely to get stolen or something, I'd really like to
make it so it doesn't have access to all the folders shared by the
other computers. All I need is internet. Is there a simple way to
isolate it? I was going to just password protect my folders, but it
looks like XP home doesn't allow that. Thanks.

On Windows 98, go to Control Panel > Network, and uninstall "File and
printer sharing for Microsoft Networks" and "Client for Microsoft
Networks". If it says that your network is not complete, tell it to
continue. Then, reboot.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Charles]

On Windows 98, go to Control Panel > Network, and uninstall "File and
printer sharing for Microsoft Networks" and "Client for Microsoft
Networks". If it says that your network is not complete, tell it to
continue. Then, reboot.

Thanks for the reply. If I do that though, couldn't someone within
minutes just download and reinstall those components and have access to
my other computers again?

--

 

[Chuck [MVP]]

Thanks for the reply. If I do that though, couldn't someone within
minutes just download and reinstall those components and have access to
my other computers again?

That's an interesting concern, Charles.

If someone breaks into the garage, and steals the computer, is he likely to re
install Networking, and hang around outside your house hoping to pickup your
WiFi signal, just so he can hack into your LAN?

And if someone breaks into your house and steals the computer, aren't you going
to be a bit busy contacting the police for support, so maybe you'll be turning
the others off for a bit?

Of course you could block the MAC address on the router. If he's a l33t hax0r,
a MAC address block won't stop him, but do l33t hax0rs break into garages to
steal laptops running Windows 98?

--
Cheers,
Chuck, MS-MVP 2005-2007 [Windows - Networking]
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/
Paranoia is not a problem, when it's a normal response from experience.
My email is AT DOT
actual address pchuck mvps org.

 

[Steve Winograd]

Thanks for the reply. If I do that though, couldn't someone within
minutes just download and reinstall those components and have access to
my other computers again?

Yes, but I doubt that a thief would take the time, have the technical
knowledge, have a Windows 98 installation CD handy, and stay in your
garage after that to look at your files.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Jack \(MVP-Networking\).]

Hi
If you like to play with Networking.
This is the "real solution", http://www.ezlan.net/shield.html
Jack (MVP-Networking).