Web Security

You are offering your IP address to the entire world at this very moment.

Make sure you are not offering access to your private data at the same time.

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YOUR IP ADDRESS IS PUBLIC

Accessing the Internet is a security risk.

When you are connected to the Internet, an IP address is used to identify your PC. If you don't protect yourself, this IP address can be used to access your computer from the outside world.

A fixed IP address is a larger security risk.

If you're using a modem with a dial-up connection, you will get a new IP address every time you connect to Internet.

With an ADSL or cable connection users sometimes keep the same IP address for several months, this represents an increased security risk.

If you have a fixed IP address, you give potential Internet crackers all the time they need to search for entrances to your computer, and to store and share (with other crackers) information they might find about your unprotected private data.

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Your Network Shares

Personal computers are often connected to a shared network. Personal computers in large companies are connected to large corporate networks. Personal computers in small companies are connected to a small local network, and computers in private homes often share a network between family members.

Most often networks are used to share resources like printers, files and disk storage.

When you are connected to the Internet, your shared resources can be accessed by the rest of the world.

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A Common Windows Security Problem

Unfortunately, many Microsoft Windows users are unaware of a common security leak in their network settings.

This is a common setup for network computers in Microsoft Windows:

• Client for Microsoft Networks
• File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
• NetBEUI Protocol
• Internet Protocol TCP/IP

If your setup allows NetBIOS over TCP/IP, you have a security problem:

• Your files can be shared all over the Internet
• Your logon-name, computer-name, and workgroup-name are visible to others.

If your setup allows File and Printer Sharing over TCP/IP, you also have a problem:

• Your files can be shared all over the Internet

Computers that are not connected to any network can also have dangerous network settings because the network settings were changed when Internet was installed.

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Solving the Problem

For Windows 2000 users:

You can solve your security problem by disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP:

• Open Windows Explorer
• Right-click on My Network Places
• Select: Properties
• Right-click on Local Area Network
• Select: Properties
• Select: Internet Protocol TCP/IP
• Click on Properties
• Click on Advanced
• Select the WINS tab
• Select Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
• Click OK

If you get the message: "This connection has an empty......", ignore the message and click on YES to continue, and click OK to close the other setup windows.

You should restart your computer after the changes.

For Windows 95, 98, or ME users:

You can solve your security problem by disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP:

• Open Windows Explorer
• Right-click on My Network Places
• Select: Properties
• Select: Internet Protocol TCP/IP
• Click on Properties
• Select the NetBIOS tab
• Uncheck: Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
• Click OK

You must also disable the TCP/IP Bindings to Client for Microsoft Networks and File and Printer Sharing:

• Open Windows Explorer
• Right-click on My Network Places
• Select: Properties
• Select: Internet Protocol TCP/IP
• Click on Properties
• Select the Bindings tab
• Uncheck: Client for Microsoft Networks
• Uncheck: File and Printer Sharing
• Click OK

If you get a message with something like: "You must select a driver.........", ignore the message and click on YES to continue, and click OK to close the other setup windows.

If you still want to share your Files and Printer over the network, you must use the NetBEUI protocol instead of the TCP/IP protocol. Make sure you have enabled it for your local network:

• Open Windows Explorer
• Right-click on My Network Places
• Select: Properties
• Select: NetBEUI
• Click on Properties
• Select the Bindings tab
• Check: Client for Microsoft Networks
• Check: File and Printer Sharing
• Click OK

You should restart your computer after the changes.