The largest security risk to Windows users in a network setting is that caused by improperly enabling file and printer sharing (FPS). When set up correctly, Windows File and Printer sharing can make file transfer as simple as drag and drop for you and your friends. When set up improperly, other users on the network can alter your hard drive's contents to such a point that your computer becomes inoperable.

FPS is a service that comes with Windows computers. It allows users to share files and printers over a network. For file sharing you can select certain drives, folders, files or a combination of these to share. Printer sharing allows you to either share the printer(s) connected to your computer or not share them.

No, you only need it if you wish to share files or printers over the network. NOTE: If you do not use FPS, and have it installed you should remove it. To do this, open the Control Panel and select Network. Then select "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Network" and click on the Remove button. This will remove it from your system.

Yes, you can set certain permission levels on the resources that you share. The most common setting for this it to password protect them. How to do this and other things will be discussed below in the set-up section.

These protocols are not used on Resnet. Using the Resnet WINS server, all FPS is done through TCP/IP and only TCP/IP. Adding any additional protocols to your computer can lead to problems connecting to the internet, so it is recommended that you install no more protocols than TCP/IP.

This depends on what you share and what you mean by "hack". If your entire hard drive is shared, allowing full read and write access with no password, then any user connecting to your machine can alter any file on your disk. To ensure that you properly set up Windows File and Printer Sharing, follow our instructions below.

Setting up File and Print sharing

1. Right click on Network Neighborhood and select properties.
2. Click on the add button and select services then click on add.
3. Select File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks, then hit okay.
4. Insert your Windows 95/98 disk if you are asked to. When it finishes installing do NOT reboot your computer.
5. Go back to your Network Properties and click on the identification tab.
6. Now enter a unique name where is says computer name, this is what your computer will be called on Network Neighborhood.
7. Now enter a workgroup name, this the workgroup that your computer will appear under on Network Neighborhood.
8. Click okay and reboot your computer. When it restarts FPS should be all set up.

These guidelines should always be followed when sharing files and folders.

• If you share a drive or a folder, be aware that all subdirectories and files in them are also shared.
• If you are allowing write access, make sure that you always use a password.
• Never share the entire drive that your operating system is on.
• Never share the Windows folder.

1. Open your network properties, select "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks", and click Properties.
2. Check the box labeled "I want to share my files." If you plan on sharing your printer, that option can also be selected at this time.
3. Click "Okay" and a dialog should appear asking you to reboot your computer. Select "Yes" and allow your computer to reboot.
4. Once your computer has rebooted, open "My Computer" and go to the file or folder you wish to share.
5. Right-click that file and select "Sharing".
6. Select the "Shared As" option.
7. For the Share Name field, enter the name you want to be seen for that file or folder on Network Neighborhood.
8. Select the type of access with which you wish to share the file or folder. ("Read-only" allows other users to download the file. "Full" access allows someone to read the file or folder, write to the file or folder, or delete the file or folder entirely. "Depends on Password" allows you to give different levels of access to the file or folder.)
9. A password should be entered for everything you share, especially if you allow Full access. If you selected "Depends on Password", you will have to specify two different passwords, one for Read-only access and one for Full access.
10. Once you click "Okay", a small hand should appear on the file or folder that you share. This indicates that the item is shared.

When sharing printers, make sure that you understand this:
If you share a printer without a password, anyone on Resnet who connects to your computer can print as much as they want to it.

1. Open your network properties, select "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks", and click Properties.
2. Check the box labeled "I want to share my printer." If you plan on sharing your files, that option can also be selected at this time.
3. Click "Okay" and a dialog should appear asking you to reboot your computer. Select "Yes" and allow your computer to reboot.
4. Once your computer has rebooted, open "My Computer" and go to the printer that you wish to share.
5. Right-click that printer and select "Sharing".
6. Select the "Shared As" option.
7. For the Share Name field, enter the name you want to be seen for that printer on Network Neighborhood.
8. A password should be entered to stop users from randomly printing documents on your printer.
9. Once you click "Okay", a small hand should appear on the printer that you share. This indicates that the printer is shared.