I gotta question for ya.

I have two computers at home and a laptop that I sometimes use. I
keep one computer for my business and the other computer is used when I have family over and they want to 'play' on the internet and for my daughter to play her games on. Here is the question:

I have cable internet and use a router that all three of computers are hooked up on. I have a nephew that is very good at computers and I was wondering if he is on the 'good' computer, can he get into my 'naughty' computer since we are all on the same router??

Let me know!!!!  Thanks in advance!!!!

Assuming that both computers run Windows XP (although these apply no matter what the operating system, here are some things to do

1) If you want to make sure there is absolutely no access to the "naughty" computer (I like that description BTW), just turn it off when they are over.  You cannot access anything that is powered off!

2) Remove the entry in the network settings for "File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Windows" or whatever it is called.  This will make sure that the "naughty" computer is inaccessable from other computers in the house

3) Run ada-ware (www.lavasoft.de), which will scan your computer for spyware that can make it accessable from other computers.

4) Purchase Norton Anti-virus with a firewall and configure it so that no other computers can get to it.

Human nature ..... people snoop.....one of the favoriate moves by teens is to use the google desktop search and search for keywords that reside in the bowels of your hardrive......with xp....unless you are proficient in network security.....a teen can have a field day with trying to log on as an administrator and look out......Turn off the "naughty" computer......or REALLY understand how to use an internet eraser, spy ware remover, cache cleaner and other cya software.

By the way, these utilities work pretty well......but the new Google desktop search works well too....like searching saved email messages without having to log onto the email system.......

My $.02.

Dingus15

After you did all of the stuff others explained, make sure that your router does not keep a log of visited sites. Most routers these days have an option that when checked, keeps a pretty detailed record of all the computers activities.  With an admin logon, a computer-savy kid could really find out all about you.

Hope that helps.

If you create a custom username on your router, and use STRONG passwords on both the router and your personal accounts, then there is a very slim chance they can access your system through the router.  Furthermore, if they don't have a user account that is identical to the one on your box, they can't access your box through the router.

What is a strong password?
1.  Between 8 and 14 characters.
2.  Contains uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters.
3.  Contains no words that can be found in a dictionary.

An example:  ae4!*dllieX3q

I've used strong passwords for years on LANs that run high power password crackers and have never had my password cracked yet using those rules.

Whoa! Thank God that I misread the post...At first I thought it said "Computer Greek Anyone?" Thought it was a whole new way to use a router and (code) cracks. In the famous words of Roasanna-Dana: Never mind.

In addition to all of the above, and below posts, change your "Naughty Computer's" once a month.  Unless the password is suffciently complex and long.

Actually, it was Emily Latilla that coined the phrase "never mind."  With Rosanne Rosanadana, "it's always something.  If it ain't one thing, it's another."

Are you referring to the naughty computer's password?