We have a wireless net here at home, how can I be sure that roommates do NOT have access to my files....?

Question

passwords, conversations, all that stuff. I know that we have one router and all computers are wireless, and one guy here is a computer repairman, how can I hide my computer 'life' from him?

Answer 1

Make sure you have file sharing removed or disabled in network properties.

Answer 2

OK, unfortunately, the previous (and incredibly long) copy-pasted answer only protects your computer from people who are sitting in front of it, not from people who try to access it through your router.

So, aside from locking your screen (Windows logo + L) and having a password on your log-in name, you need som additional security measures:

First, if you don't want your roomie's to have access to certain files, download a free file encryption program like TrueCrypt or Cryptainer LE from http://downloads.cnet.com. With these programs, you create password protected "vaults" where the information that is in them is encrypted so that it can't be read or accessed without the correct password.

Next, you want some security for your computer as it is on the network. Disable file sharing in the windows firewall: Start, Control Panel, Windows Firewall, Click the Exceptions tab, then uncheck File and Printer Sharing. Click "OK."

It is advisable to also install your own firewall, which would protect your computer from inbound requests on the TCP/IP port from the LAN.

Answer 3

Make yourself administrator and set a password to logon. You could double-lock by putting a password on your screensaver which would have to be entered after standby.

To lock your computer
•Press the Windows logo key ( ) + L.
If fast user switching is turned on:
Microsoft Windows displays the Welcome screen. Anyone with an account on the computer can log on. If the Guest account is turned on, any user can log on to the computer as a guest.
The Welcome screen will indicate that you are still logged on, or will display the number of programs you have open.
oTo log on to the computer, click your user account name and type your password to return to your open files or programs.

Notes
oWindows will prompt you for a password only if you have set up your user account with one. However, it is highly recommended that you assign passwords to all accounts on the computer.
oWhen Fast User Switching is turned on, any user can shut down the computer from the Welcome screen. This will automatically log you off and could result in data loss if you have not saved your work.

Notes
oWindows will prompt you for a password only if you have set up your user account with one. However, it is highly recommended that you assign passwords to all accounts on the computer.
oWhen Fast User Switching is turned on, any user can shut down the computer from the Welcome screen. This will automatically log you off and could result in data loss if you have not saved your work.

Notes
•Windows does not require that you set up user accounts with passwords. However, for the sake of security, it is highly recommended that you assign passwords to all accounts on the computer.

To log off from the computer
•Click Start, click Log off, and then click Log off.
When you log off from the computer, you close your user account but the computer remains on for easy access the next time you log on.
To log on, click your user account icon on the Welcome screen. Or, on a domain, press CTRL+ALT+DEL, and then type your account information.

To protect your files by using a screen saver password
1.Open Display in Control Panel.
2.On the Screen Saver tab under Screen saver, click a screen saver,.
3.Select the On resume, password protect check box.
If Fast User Switching is turned on, select the On resume, display Welcome screen check box.

Notes
•To open Display, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.
•Selecting the On Resume, password protect check box will lock your computer when the screen saver is activated. When you begin working again you will be prompted to type your password to unlock it.
•Your screen saver password is the same as your logon password. If you do not use a password to log on, you cannot set a screen saver password.
•Fast User Switching is only available for stand-alone computers and users in a workgroup. It is not available if your computer is part of a network domain.

Help protect your passwords
To help ensure security, passwords should be used carefully. These recommendations will help protect your passwords:
•Never write down your password.
•Never share your password with anyone.
•Never use your network logon password for another purpose.
•Use different passwords for your network logon and the Administrator account on your computer.
•Change your network password every 60 to 90 days or as often as required in your specific environment.
•Change your password immediately if you think it has been compromised.
You should also be careful about where you save your password on your computer. Some dialog boxes, such as those for remote access and other telephone connections, present an option to save or remember your password. Do not select that option for highly sensitive passwords because the compromise of these passwords is more possible than when they are not stored.