By default, the name given to
your new Windows Vista network is WORKGROUP. Additionally, the network
may be configured initially as a public network, which is not nearly as
secure as a private one. Finally, the network will not have network
discovery turned on. You need to configure all this to make your network
secure and to personalize it.
Name the Network
For
Windows XP, the default network name was MSHOME. If you upgraded a
Windows XP computer to Windows Vista, the default name remained the same
as it was before you upgraded, whether that was MSHOME or something
else you created. If you purchase a new Windows Vista–based PC, though,
it’s automatically WORKGROUP.
It’s best if all
computers on your network use the same network name. If they don’t,
you’ll have a hard time sharing data and hardware. You shouldn’t leave
the network name as WORKGROUP or MSHOME, though, because that’s the
default, and if at any time a hacker does try to access your network,
you can bet these are the first names the hacker will try.
To change the name of your network and create something unique for you, follow these steps:
1. | Click Start, right-click Computer, and click Properties.
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2. | Note the Workgroup name. As shown in Figure 1, it’s WORGROUP. Click Change Settings to modify the name.
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3. | Click Continue, and in System Properties, also shown in Figure 4-2, click Change.
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4. | Type a new name for the network. Click OK, OK, and OK again.
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5. | Click Close.
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6. | Close any open programs, and restart the computer.
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Make the Network Private
Networks come in one of
three types: domain, public, and private. You won’t have a domain if
you’ve been following along here. Domains are reserved for
organizational intranets, such as those found in large corporations. To
have a domain, you need an Active Directory domain controller, which you
likely don’t have. That leaves two choices for your network, public and
private.
A public network
is a computer that is connected to a network and has a direct
connection to the Internet. You’ll find these types of networks in
libraries, schools, and coffee shops. You do not have a public network.
A private network
is a network used for personal access to the Internet and connects to
trusted computers. This is the kind of network you have. Private
networks are used for homes, home offices, small businesses, and similar
locations. Private networks also include an Internet gateway device,
such as a router, to protect the network from incoming traffic from the
Internet.
To make sure you have a private network configured and not a public one, and to change it if necessary, follow these steps:
1. | Click Start, right-click Network, and click Properties.
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2. | Verify that the network is private, as shown in Figure 2. If it is not, continue; if it is, skip to the next section.
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3. | Click Customize.
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4. | Choose Private.
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5. | Click Next and then Close.
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Turn On Network Discovery
By
default, network sharing and discovery is turned off on your Windows
Vista–based machine. This is to protect your PC from unauthorized
access. You need to turn on network discovery so you can see other
computers on the network and share files, folders, media, and printers.
It’s important to note that just because the Network and Sharing Center shows a network is configured
and you are connected to the Internet, this does not mean the network
is configured properly. You must turn on network discovery and establish
what you want to share.
On the Windows Vista–based computer, follow these steps:
1. | Click Start, click Control Panel, and then open Network and Internet.
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2. | Open the Network and Sharing Center.
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3. | As
noted, network discovery is turned off by default. To turn it on, click
the down arrow by Network Discovery, and click Turn On Network
Discovery, as shown in Figure 3.
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4. | Click Apply.
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5. | Click Continue to verify you want to turn on network discovery.
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6. | If
prompted whether to turn on network discovery for all public networks,
select No, Make The Network That I Am Connected To A Private Network.
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