Public or Private Network

Discussion in 'Computers & Tech' started by Ernest T., Oct 20, 2019.

  1. Ernest T.

    Ernest T. Newly Registered

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2019
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    43
    This sounds like a stupid question because the answer seems obvious to me, but I just wanted to check with some tech savvy members to make sure.

    I'm on my home computer. I right click my little network icon on the task bar and bring up "network properties."

    Being at home, would I select private network or public.

    I would quickly say private but this wording that I saw online is a little contradictory.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    On Private networks, Windows enables network discovery features. Other devices can see your Windows computer on the network, allowing for easy file sharing and other networked features. Windows will also use the Homegroup feature to share files and media between your PCs.

    Do they mean devices like a printer? I certainly don't want my downstairs or next door neighbor "discovering" my computer.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    On Public networks–like those in coffee shops–you don’t want your computer to be seen by others, though, or share your files with them. So Windows turns off these discovery features. it won’t appear to other devices on the network and won’t try to discover them. Even if you’ve set up a Homegroup on your PC, it won’t be enabled on a public network.

    I don't want (naturally, like us all) my computer to be seen by others, or discoverable by others, and certainly not share my file with others.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    My guess is that being at home I would select private, but like I said, I just wanted to check with some PF members who know this stuff.......Thanks
     
  2. Injeun

    Injeun Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 13, 2012
    Messages:
    12,832
    Likes Received:
    5,961
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Gender:
    Male
    Yes, choose private. It isn't a question of whether or not you want privacy. It is a question about the nature of your network. Are you at home or are you somewhere where you don't know the others on the network. At home is a private network. At a coffee house is a public network. You have chosen well, grasshopper. ;-)
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2019
    Ernest T. likes this.
  3. Skruddgemire

    Skruddgemire Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2017
    Messages:
    851
    Likes Received:
    452
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    While it sounds counter-intuitive, there is a method to the madness.

    In your case if this is the only computer you have on your network...then EITHER will work for you.

    As a Public Network, your computer is going to default to not sharing anything on the network. If you're on a Private Network then your computer is only going to share files and folders with other computers that are specifically setup to your network.

    So...in either case you're fine.

    On a public network you have to specifically turn on Network Discovery and Sharing. On a private network, the only files and folders that are defaulted for sharing is the Users\Public directories. If you don't have anything in those folders...they can't see anything else. You would have to manually select other folders to be shared before anything else can see them. And for extra security, you can even require other computers to know the password of an account on your computer. So for example I used to have a file server computer on my network at home. Each user on the network has an account on the server and must put in the password for their account to accessed the shared files.

    Like I said, if you only have the one computer or don't want to share anything...public network will do the job. Private will do the same job as well.

    In your case...public is the easier to set up and deal with.
     
    Ernest T. and Injeun like this.
  4. Ernest T.

    Ernest T. Newly Registered

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2019
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Thank you, venerable sir.
     
    Injeun likes this.
  5. Ernest T.

    Ernest T. Newly Registered

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2019
    Messages:
    249
    Likes Received:
    136
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Thank you!
     

Share This Page