Password-protecting shared folders

[Dave Rudolf]

Hey all,

I'm sharing some folders on my XP machine, but we have an unsecure wireless
router on the network and I don't want just anyone to be able to nuke my
files. Thus, I would like to protect the shared folders with a password. The
folders are not all in my user's "Documents and Settings" folder, so I can't
just protect my user files (i.e., through the "User Accounts" settings in the
control panel.

When I look at the XP help docs, they say that each shared folder's Properties
dialog should have tab for security. They do not. I suspect that this has
something to do with my version of XP (which is a registered version of XP Pro
2002 with SP 2).

So can anyone suggest to me how I might protect my files?

Thanks.

Dave

 

[Jim]

Hey all,

I'm sharing some folders on my XP machine, but we have an unsecure
wireless router on the network and I don't want just anyone to be able to
nuke my files. Thus, I would like to protect the shared folders with a
password. The folders are not all in my user's "Documents and Settings"
folder, so I can't just protect my user files (i.e., through the "User
Accounts" settings in the control panel.

When I look at the XP help docs, they say that each shared folder's
Properties dialog should have tab for security. They do not. I suspect
that this has something to do with my version of XP (which is a registered
version of XP Pro 2002 with SP 2).

You enable the security tab by turning off simple file sharing.

So can anyone suggest to me how I might protect my files?

You can mark the folders private which means that only you and an
administrator have access to the files.

Thanks.

Dave

Jim

 

[Malke]

Hey all,

I'm sharing some folders on my XP machine, but we have an unsecure
wireless router on the network and I don't want just anyone to be able
to nuke my files. Thus, I would like to protect the shared folders
with a password. The folders are not all in my user's "Documents and
Settings" folder, so I can't just protect my user files (i.e., through
the "User Accounts" settings in the control panel.

When I look at the XP help docs, they say that each shared folder's
Properties dialog should have tab for security. They do not. I suspect
that this has something to do with my version of XP (which is a
registered version of XP Pro 2002 with SP 2).

XP does not use passwords to protect resources. It uses permissions
instead. Here is information to help you with that:

How to disable Simple Sharing and set permissions on a shared folder in
Windows XP (Pro only)
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307874

HOW TO: Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308418

By default in XP Home, you can only make files and folders under My
Documents "private". Otherwise, to see the security tab in WinXP Home,
restart in Safe mode and log on with an account that has administrator
privileges. To get into Safe Mode, repeatedly tap the F8 key as the
computer is starting up. This will get you to the menu where you can
choose Safe Mode.

Note that the file system must be NTFS, not FAT32.

Passwording of folders is not supported unless you zip them. When you do
(right click a folder, then "send to > compressed folder") and then open
the zip file, you will find an option under file>"add a password".
Otherwise, use third-party software. Google "password protect folders".

Malke

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hey all,

I'm sharing some folders on my XP machine, but we have an unsecure
wireless router on the network and I don't want just anyone to be able
to nuke my files. Thus, I would like to protect the shared folders with
a password. The folders are not all in my user's "Documents and
Settings" folder, so I can't just protect my user files (i.e., through
the "User Accounts" settings in the control panel.

When I look at the XP help docs, they say that each shared folder's
Properties dialog should have tab for security. They do not. I suspect
that this has something to do with my version of XP (which is a
registered version of XP Pro 2002 with SP 2).

So can anyone suggest to me how I might protect my files?

Thanks.

Dave

Like WinNT and Win2K before it, WinXP's file security paradigm
doesn't rely on, or allow, the cumbersome method of password protection
for individual applications, files, or folders. Instead, it uses the
superior method of explicitly assigning file/folder permissions to
individual users and/or groups.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;279783

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove File and Folder Permissions
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q308418

HOW TO Set, View, Change, or Remove Special Permissions for Files and
Folders
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q308419

HOW TO Set the My Documents Folder as Private in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;298399

Of course, if you have WinXP Pro, you can encrypt the desired
files/folders.

Best Practices for Encrypting File System
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;223316

As a crude work-around, you can place the file in a compressed
folder, and set a password to uncompress the folder to view/access its
contents. Also, some applications allow the user to password-protect
their specific data files. Read the specific application's Help files
for further information on this capability.


--

Bruce Chambers

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