windows xp network links to stranger's shared folders at college?

[Alan]

i have home network that has a name and it is shared with 3 windows xp
computers. My daughter uses her notebook computer at school and has just
come home for a short weekend. I upgraded her computer with SP2. In
looking at some photos we noticed that under network places, shared folders,
she had 6 different computers listed there, besides our 2 other home
computers. None of their shared folders were accessible from our house but
I assume somehow they got picked up as being on the college's network and
i am thinking that perhaps it is because their own home network was
originally set up (in their parent's house) with the same network name as
ours. We were able to delete them.

Could this be true? and if so, how do I change my network's name to
something less common.? I do not really like that other folks appear to
have access to her shared folder (and vice versa). Other than this
explanation I cannot imagine what could cause it. Because everyone on the
college network or in the dorm was not listed on her shared folders list, I
assume there must be some commonality.

Can someone advise on this?

Thanks

alan

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

i have home network that has a name and it is shared with 3 windows xp
computers. My daughter uses her notebook computer at school and has just
come home for a short weekend. I upgraded her computer with SP2. In
looking at some photos we noticed that under network places, shared folders,
she had 6 different computers listed there, besides our 2 other home
computers. None of their shared folders were accessible from our house but
I assume somehow they got picked up as being on the college's network and
i am thinking that perhaps it is because their own home network was
originally set up (in their parent's house) with the same network name as
ours. We were able to delete them.

Could this be true? and if so, how do I change my network's name to
something less common.? I do not really like that other folks appear to
have access to her shared folder (and vice versa). Other than this
explanation I cannot imagine what could cause it. Because everyone on the
college network or in the dorm was not listed on her shared folders list, I
assume there must be some commonality.

Can someone advise on this?

Thanks

alan

The network (workgroup) name isn't the problem. Windows XP
automatically searches for all shared disks and folders, (regardless
of the network name, and creates shortcuts to them in My Network
Places Your daughter's computer found some on the college network.

On her computer, go to My Computer, click Tools | Folder Options |
View, and un-check "Automatically search for network folders and
printers".

When she goes back to college, make sure that she enables XP's
built-in firewall to prevent other people from finding her shared
disks and folders.

She should be able to right-click and delete undesired shared disks
and folders in My Network Places. There's no way to delete undesired
computer names in "View workgroup computers", but they should
automatically go away after a while.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

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