And the exchange goes on...
On Fri, 9 Mar 2001, Tim Seifert wrote:
> _Replying to a message_
>
> Hi Jeffrey,
>
> JH>>> These days, I think it is almost impossible (in the Windows world,
> JH>>> at least) NOT to run a server:
> JH>>>
> JH>>> 1) File and print server sharing is built into every version of
> JH>>> windows; does the ISP define that as a "server"?
>
> TS>> It may be available, but it's not always enabled. Most home PCs
> TS>> don't have a LAN, and without a network connection of some kind, file
> TS>> and printer sharing aren't enabled.
>
> JH> Tim, that may be true in Australia, but I find there are more and more
> JH> people in the US who have home networks, if for no other reason than
> JH> to share one Internet connection (a cheap way to take advantage of a
> JH> high speed Internet connection). Many of those people may not have
> JH> file and print sharing enabled, but many do, particularly so they
> JH> share a printer.
>
> I still think you'll find that most PCs don't "come" that way, but these
> features are added by choice.
>
> i.e. The service isn't on by default.
>
You are correct, but many people are enabling them.
> You do have to deliberately elect to share files and printers, for one
> thing. And, Windows stupidities aside, they oughtn't to be shared to the
> web, as a default action for MODEMs. Though, LAN type of internet
> connections to the web are likely to be available, by default.
>
That's the problem. The sharing capability that Microsoft provides in its
consumer products, Windows 9X and ME, are simply password protected -
there is or is not a password and the password controls either read only
or read and write. It was never designed to be a very secure mechanism,
and unfortunately, short of putting up a firewall, there is no way to
distinguish between a LAN connection and a Internet connection.
Windows NT and 2000 provide better security, but still there is no
difference between access over the Internet and over a LAN.
> However, there's a difference between slack security, and deliberately
> "serving" files to the public. And I think most ISPs would realise that.
>
True.
> But, it is possible that simply leaving your file sharing in a publically
> accessible condition may be sending stuff out onto the internet that makes
> a pest of itself, all by itself.
>
There is no question about that. I myself discovered that Microsoft's
critical notifier service, which is designed to alert users when Microsoft
releases a new patch for their software, was trying to access the Internet
about every 30 seconds (and the only way I knew was that I have my
firewall - on my other system - configured to deny access to the Internet
by default). I quickly uninstall that service *chuckles*.
> e.g. the usual Windows networking behaviour, such as the typical spurious
> NetBIOS connection attempts we all get while on the net.
>
> Mostly "that's" harmless. Though, if you're vulnerable, you might end up
> accidentally sharing your files with a complete stranger, who may take
> advantage of that. Hackers, on the other hand, are always on the prowl
> for such a gifted opportunity.
>
Yes, and that's one of the major problems in the Windows design.
Fortunately, MS appears to be moving away from NetBIOS and more to pure
TCP/IP.
<some text deleted>
> JH>>> 2) Every version of Windows comes with (either on the CD or via
> JH>>> download from MS) a webserver; at what point does an ISP throw the
> JH>>> towel in on that?
>
> TS>> Most people don't install it. The average user isn't really running
> TS>> such services.
>
> JH> I think part of the reason is that it is not practical on a low speed,
> JH> part time connection. As more users obtain high speed connections,
> JH> and learn more about webservers, this will become more common.
>
> I think it's more likely that most users aren't interested in serving
> anything, they're more interested in getting stuff from the net. Most
> ISPs, around here, offer free web site hosting, but rarely do people
> bother to create a web site.
>
> It's pretty much the same as in the BBS days. Most people are more
> interested in downloading stuff, than anything else they could do.
>
True, but I think that is because many people still do not understand the
technology, and many people do not have a need. It appears that more
people are starting the use the Internet for posting pictures and
providing video to grandparents, relatives, etc, who live far away. Just
as it took quite a while for e-mail to be a favorite medium for keeping in
contact with family and friends, I think in time the same will hold true,
particularly if the support is built into an application (such as a
digital camera technology) and the user just has to run a short "wizard"
to enable the capability. Time will tell.
<rest of text deleted>
>
> --
> Bye,
> Tim.
>
> http://www.picknowl.com.au/homepages/Tim_Seifert/
> mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> (Modbury, near Adelaide, South Australia)
>
> Video productions, electronics engineering, service and technical
> support, and more. For further information, visit the web site.
>
> *** DO NOT SEND JUNK MAIL ***
>
>
> --
>
> To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe miami-talk-ml" to
> "[EMAIL PROTECTED]". For help on list commands send "help" to
> "[EMAIL PROTECTED]".
>
jeh
--
To unsubscribe send "unsubscribe miami-talk-ml" to
"[EMAIL PROTECTED]". For help on list commands send "help" to
"[EMAIL PROTECTED]".
