Can a printer on a home network be password proteected so that other computers on the network cannot print?

Question

I want to restrict access to my kids PC's so that they can only print when a password is inputted..is this at all possible...we have 3 pc's on a wireless network with one printer.

Answer 1

if you know how to subnet.. easiest thing to do is set permissions if you have xp pro, you would just have to allow printing everytime they need to print or whatever..

Answer 2

Depends on how your printer connects to the LAN. If it has a built-in wireless connection or if you are using a wireless print server unit then check the software application for the server.

If there is no control there, you have a couple other options.

You can disable printing from all but an admin machine (remove print drivers from other computers). Allow each of the other users to see their own machines from the admin machine (their own shared folder). Then when they want to print, they can be given access to the admin machine. This could be physical access. This could be LAN access to the admin machine (each other user should be given their own password protected account that their own machine has permission set to access. The admin machine could only be used for printing if it is on, and the users enter their password to access it. This can be done "the old fashioned way" also by removing the printer from the LAN and physically attaching it to the admin machine. Oh, so last year! You could lock the admin machine access by using the drive lock (physical key on some cases, but easily added to the startup drive bay).

You can also go into your wireless router and open the printer access at certain times. On a linksys this will be done using the access control page. You can control use of printer for times when you are around.

Answer 3

Easiest thing to do. Log into the computer that the printer is installed on as an Administrator.

Go to Printers & Faxes and right mouse click on the printer to pull up the properties. Got to the Security tab and remove all users and or groups except Administrators.

That's it. Now they will have to come get you to input the password when they want to print.

Answer 4

once you've a VPN consultation operating and would map a force on your employer server or pc, you may map a printer. If no longer, you'll favor to ascertain a VPN connection making use of hardware like a Linksys router with VPN help or organic software. you may also use products like distant computer, in spite of the undeniable fact that the making use of is operating on your place of work computing gadget....

Answer 5

You could try making it only available on your desktop.I've done that with webcam