security pc to pc

So i just set up a network with the linksys 54g, the net works fine on my desktop and on the lappy. I then set up MAC filtering for security and disabled SSID for the same reason. Now i set up home network print and file sharing on both systems and thats up and running but it slow!!! I'm transfering a 4 gig file and its givin me over an hour estimate! Is that how "fast" 54mbps is? I'm getting 15% of a 48mbps connection... Anyways, I worried now that after I have allowed sharing on all my files on my laptop, when I take it outside to school, is there anyway people can access my harddrive?

 

1-1.5MB/s isn't too unreasonable for 54Mbps, even though it is slow.

Yes, if you have file sharing, everybody who is connected to your PC can see your files.

A firewall can help you switch between "trusted" and "internet" zones on the fly. Your home network will be defined as "trusted" and the firewall will let communication through, including file sharing, while other networks will be defined as "internet" zone and all traffic, except web browsing, will be blocked.

ZoneAlarm does it, probably others as well.

 

i wouldn't jack into a public network with any folders shared on my notebook.

 

I would. And I do it all the time. That's why there is a firewall.

 

this is new to me, so if i were to goto a wifi enhanced cafe or hotel lobby, theres a chance that I could get into the laptop of the guy beside me by just seeing if he's in my network neighborhood?

 

yes, exactly.

 

hmmm... so then how do I set something up so that when I'm home I can connect to my desktop, but still keep punks out of my system when i'm out?

 

A firewall that differentiates access by the network you're connecting to, like I said.

 

Yeah a firewall is your best bet. Also adding WPA would just add more to the security all around

 

OK, ran into some bumps last night, I turned of SSID broadcasting and my laptop couldn't find my router and logged onto my neighbor automatically. So I turned SSID back on but set up WPA, named the network and entered the password and now my laptop logs onto that automatically. I wish I could go over to my neighbor and see just hwo secure I am, see if all this actually works. Since SSID is off, he shouldn't even see me right, or does it just say SSID not braodcast, because that's what I saw before WPA was on. Secondly with MAC filtering on, he should never be able to get onto my connection.

Another issue I'm having (which IMO after spending 70 bucks on this router SHOULD NOT be happening) is that in some parts of my house the laptop picks up my neighbor's coonection before mine and tries to loggin to that because their signal is stronger than mine.

 

Unless your neighbor knows your ESSID, he won't try to connect. Even if he knows it and tries to leech off it, he will not be able to connect with MAC filtering enabled (unless there is a bug in the router, LOL).

WPA is the final means that will stop even the real good hackers with packet sniffers, MAC spoffers and tools to break WEP. Which is a negligible percentage of the population.

But you do understand that securing your home network and securing your laptop when it accesses foreign networks are two different and unrelated things.