File and Printer Sharing Security Issue
File and printer sharing is an essential component of Microsoft Windows Networking which enables us to share our files, printer and other network resources. This service can be restricted for the users of the network, i.e. only authenticated users can access this service.

However, this service has security breach. The main security issue of this service is that it helps the Network Viruses and Trojans to transmit them and infect users' system. Network Viruses/Trojans such as QaZ virus or Nimda spread themselves over the network in those shared locations which have read/write permissions. Some of other viruses are there on the internet or come through other portable media which uses port access to infect the system. These types of viruses are very much active when there is a working LAN or Internet connection is available which uses the full bandwidth of the network and slows it down.

To overcome the problem disable file and printer sharing:

  1. Share your Shared folders in your networks, if it is necessary but it is not recommended for Home PC or Personal PC.
  2. Turn on Password Protection Sharing in Windows Firewall.
  3. If you don’t want to share any files, folder and resources of your computer, then you can disable the file and printer sharing support from

Windows XP:

Go to Control panel => Network Connection => Right Click on “Local Area Connection” => Properties => Remove the
check ümark from “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” => Ok

Windows 7:

Go to Control Panel => Network and Sharing => Change adapter settings => Right Click on “Local Area Connection” =>
Properties => Remove the check ümark from “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” => Ok

Windows 8 or 8.1:

Go to Control Panel => Networking and Sharing Center => Change adapter settings => Right Click on “Ethernet” => Properties => Remove the check ümark from “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” => Ok

OR

Go to Control Panel => Network and Internet => Under "Networking and Sharing Center" => View network status and tasks => Change adapter settings => Right Click on “Ethernet” => Properties => Remove the check ümark from “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” => Ok

Windows 10:

Press + R to open Run command window. => Type "ncpa.cpl" and press "Enter" => Right Click on “Ethernet” => Properties => Remove the check ümark from “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks” => Ok
© 2008, Computer Centre, IIT Kanpur All rights reserved.
This site maintained by Windows Labs Administrator
Suggestions and comments about this web site: gopesh@iitk.ac.in
This page was last modified: 09 October 2014 12:20 PM