Any risk in turning off password protected sharing on a private networ

Sauntache · 06 Nov 2015

I have a Windows 10 PC, with one of it's functions being that of a file server/NAS for my home network. I set it up with password protected sharing and a user account/password that everyone knows and uses to access it. I didn't really have any reason to use password protected sharing at the time, but it was the default so I left it.

Now I have a couple of network streaming devices that can't handle password protected sharing, so I was considering turning it off. Is there any reason not to turn off password protected sharing on a private network? Obviously I don't mind everyone on the network having access, but I was wondering if it had any other potential security benefits that I haven't thought of.

Night Hawk · 07 Nov 2015

Hello Sauntache Welcome to the Ten Forums!

The risk would be any outside access which could potentially open the door for a breach of some type. If you have a closed network situation without web interaction such as a hard wired private network then the actual need for password protection dimishes quite a bit as long as people visiting the home like the neighbor's kids or an offspring's school buddies dropping in doesn't manage to get access to things. Then you would have an internal not external situation where the protection would be needed!

As for simply setting up a home data server and not storing personal data on the other hand keeping things in a closed loop You shouldn't have any real worry. The risks however intensify if there is any web access for the most part when you then need to establish an effective firewall protection from outside intrusion. Having a good av program with network filters is also a thought there as well.