Security concerns on Internet connections

Please be aware on a serious security issue, in case your system is connected to a local network and is also configured to use Dialup-networking for connection to the Internet.

As part of the setup of the local network, File-and-Print Sharing is installed in most cases, with sharing of the disk(s):

And on most private networks, passwords are usually not defined.

Lets have a closer look to the network configuration:


we need to check the combination "TCP/IP -> Dial-Up Adapter" (which is used for the Internet connections):


And this is the security problem: when installing "File-and-Print Sharing", then Windows configures by default a Binding (=connection) between each protocol (in this case the TCP/IP used for the Internet connection) with the "File-and-Print Sharing" !
Result: your system is wide open for connections FROM the Internet, everybody knowing your IP-address can now connect to your disk !

Protection:
as minimum protection, define at least a Sharing password for your disk.
Better: do NOT allow a connection from the Internet to your local disk:

Un-check (= interrupt) the Binding between the TCP/IP protocol used on the Dial-Up adapter with the "File-and-Print Sharing".

For a higher level of security, you need to install a Firewall.

About Johannes Helmig

Dr.Johannes Helmig is working as Director, Technical Knowledge Management in the Belgium office of Gerber Technology where he is involved in Customer Service and internal training, with special interest in Networking.

Click here for Johannes Helmig's section.

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