UAC security alert about apps accessing public networks

THX1138 · 18 Apr 2019

Sometimes I open a program that wants to use the Internet and then get asked about authorisation to access a network and it's always been kind of confusing to me. The public network that the program wants to use is called the Internet, right? Why am I being asked about accessing such public networks as those found within airports and cafes? What program would even be interested in accessing a public LAN? It's the WAN most programs want to use, right? Shouldn't it say "Public networks such as the Internet or those in airports and cafes"?

How does Windows know whether a network I'm connected to is at work or a cafe?

UAC security alert about apps accessing public networks-delme.png

Try3 · 18 Apr 2019

How does Windows know whether a network I'm connected to is at work or a café?

The first time you connected to your work network you told it that it was a trusted network on which you were happy to share resources i.e. it was a private network and not a public one. The same thing happens every time you have a first connection to any network.

If you are signed in to an Admin user account you can check the private/public setting at
Settings, Network, Change connection properties.

Denis