How can I protect my computers from other users within the same network?

[DingDingDao]

So I have a network set up in my apartmen with a Netgear WGT624 connecting two boxes and a laptop, one by cat 5 cable, the other box and laptop via 802.11g connection (WEP, 128-bit). This guy in my building found my network id through his computer, and wants to pay me each month to share my internet access.

I'm perfectly fine with sharing the bandwidth, as I'm hardly home and I don't really use all the bandwidth. But I'm concerned about network security. Other than password-protecting my computers and not sharing the contents, how do I increase security on my systems to protect them from other computers inside my network? Are there any other bad things he could do with access to my WAP?

Thanks all.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Put a firewall program on your PC for even more security.

Zone Alarm Pro is great for that. I put Zonealarm Pro on my home network, and I couldn't get any filesharing to work, nor printers ... I couldn't even ping the machine.

For me, it was a networking nightmare - even when disabled but not uninstalled, Zone Alarm Pro blocked the ports and didn't allow any sharing or browsing whatsoever, but for your purpose, it's perfect.

Uninstalling the program fixed the blocked ports for me, btw, so it's not a problem if you want to do some filesharing down the road.


A few things you can do in Windows XP for more security is:

Go into Control Panel > System > Remote and uncheck both kinds of remote access. That way they won't be able to get into your machine remotely (even if they tried with it enabled, they'd need your password).

In Control Panel > System turn off System Restore. System Restore is a back-door for many viruses, and you should be backing up your system regularly anyway.


Best of luck!