Home Networking Security Hole?

[TtlRecall]

I recently set up home networking with the "Home Networking Wizard" which allows access to "My Documents" on any of the computers on my home network.

It worked great, I thought, until one day I logged off the internet and got the message box "/Joe Hacker [or something like that] is currently using My Documents, are you sure you want to log off?" You can imagine how I must have felt.

This occurred on my Windows Me computer which gets regular updates from Microsoft, so is this a security hole someone doesn't know about? Or is this something I should come to expect?

Sincerely.

[TwoRails]

Hi TtlRecall,

Don't know much about it... but are you running a firewall?

TwoRails

[GaryRouth]

If you have a cable or DSL "always on" connection to the Internet, you should also have a firewall of some sort running. Some are built into a "router" nowadays (also called "hardware" firewalls) - so if your broadband connection runs through a firewall router set up by your broadband provider's technician, it should also have a firewall going. They aren't perfect, though, and successful attacks can still happen.

Here are some links where you can read more about securing a Home Network:
http://www.firewallguide.com/
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,938035,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,939539,00.asp
http://itpapers.cnet.com/whitepapers...&referrer=cnet
http://itpapers.cnet.com/whitepapers...&referrer=cnet
http://download.com.com/3000-2092-10196000.html (zone alarm)
http://www.spywareinfo.com

Keep in mind if your network is wireless, your security needs are greatest.

Best of luck
. . . Gary