Tech Q & A

Q: My neighbor told me he can see my Windows XP computer’s files on the Internet. How can I stop this? We both have cable Internet access.

A: Windows’ File and Printer Sharing lets you share a computer’s files or printer on a network. But according to Microsoft, Windows could include the Internet as part of your local network if you connect directly using a modem rather than through a router. The easy way to prevent this is to disable File and Printer Sharing. Click Start, Control Panel. Double-click Network Connections. Right-click your local area connection icon and select Properties from the menu. Clear the checkbox labeled “File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.” Click OK.