Does the fact Windows says I have a "Public network" matter at all?

growapair30 · 19 Aug 2015

I did a reset of my brand new modem due to some bs I went through with it today, and I've done everything in the modem settings to secure it I think. I created passwords for my internet login and changed my modem's default password. My Android tablet lists my wifi as being a secured wireless network, and I can't seem to get into it without a password. I've restarted my computer, but in the network settings in my Control Panel, it says I have a "Public network"? I'm not sure what I'm missing.

I'm using a Hitron CGN3. I wonder if it even matters what Windows says at this point. Hoping someone knows a bit about this stuff. What is it supposed to mean when Windows says my internet connection is a Public network?

WhyMe · 19 Aug 2015

I reckon you should probably be on a private network. You can change to private network via the "Network and Sharing Center" > "Homegroup". Then click on "change network location", and then "Yes". (I think that's all correct)

Source: Techopedia

A public network is a type of network wherein anyone, namely the general public, has access and through it can connect to other networks or the Internet. This is in contrast to a private network, where restrictions and access rules are established in order to relegate access to a select few. Since a public network has few or no restrictions, users need to be wary of possible security risks when accessing it.

A private network is any connection within a specified network wherein restrictions are established to promote a secured environment. This type of network can be configured in such a way that devices outside the network cannot access it. Only a selected set of devices can access this type of network depending on the settings encoded in the network routers and access points. On the other hand, a public network is defined as a network that anyone can freely connect to little or no restriction.

growapair30 · 19 Aug 2015

WhyMe said:

I reckon you should probably be on a private network. You can change to private network via the "Network and Sharing Center" > "Homegroup". Then click on "change network location", and then "Yes". (I think that's all correct)

Thanks very much for pointing me in the right direction! I had to set up a homegroup and then disable all the sharing features and that made my network private.