Windows XP--Drives Shared By Default--A Security Risk?

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From: Brian Bell (no_at_email.com)
Date: 08/16/04 

Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 09:14:05 GMT

I recently did a fresh install of Win XP Prof and installed SP2 on top of
it. Just as with Win2k, I noticed that Windows XP has sharing enabled by
default. I right clicked on my hard drives and found that both were
automatically set up as shares.

Isn't this a security risk? Does everyone have access to my drives? I
went to disable it and it said something to the effect of "this share was
set up for administrative purposes only and will be re-enabled when you
restart your computer."

Of course, I don't like the idea of everything I have being shared with
everyone in the world, so I went into Services and disabled Server.

With the new security emphasis of Microsoft, I can't imagine they'd open up
your computer to everyone in the world. So, am I right that my stuff was
accessible to all, or am I wrong? Was disabling the Server service
necessary or not?

Thanks.

Relevant Pages

  • Windows XP--Drives Shared By Default--A Security Risk?
    ... I recently did a fresh install of Win XP Prof and installed SP2 on top of ... so I went into Services and disabled Server. ... Was disabling the Server service ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Windows XP--Drives Shared By Default--A Security Risk?
    ... I recently did a fresh install of Win XP Prof and installed SP2 on top of ... so I went into Services and disabled Server. ... Was disabling the Server service ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Windows XP--Drives Shared By Default--A Security Risk?
    ... If you click on it it tells you they are Administrative Shares only. ... >I recently did a fresh install of Win XP Prof and installed SP2 on top of ... so I went into Services and disabled Server. ... Was disabling the Server service ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Windows XP--Drives Shared By Default--A Security Risk?
    ... If you click on it it tells you they are Administrative Shares only. ... >I recently did a fresh install of Win XP Prof and installed SP2 on top of ... so I went into Services and disabled Server. ... Was disabling the Server service ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Windows XP--Drives Shared By Default--A Security Risk?
    ... If you click on it it tells you they are Administrative Shares only. ... >I recently did a fresh install of Win XP Prof and installed SP2 on top of ... so I went into Services and disabled Server. ... Was disabling the Server service ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)