[valnos]

Sorry if I'm posting here a lot lately, but I keep running into these weird problems that I'm not sure how to solve.

I turned on my computer tonight, and found out that in the "Shared" section of the HD (the portion between "Devices" and "Places"—I'm not sure what it's called exactly) there are two shared computers or something. One's called new-host-2, and the other one connects to a Macbook that belongs to someone named Steven. I don't know this person! I really have no idea how this happened, and it's honestly pretty alarming. Has anyone else had an experience like this?

According to my systems profile, all files barring my public one are blocked, but I still feel rather uncomfortable. Is there a way to remove people from the shared drive? I never consented to sharing with anyone.

[gradient]

What you're seeing are other devices that are sharing their volumes on your network. Are you using an open wireless network? If so, put a secure password on it!

[valnos]

I'm using an Ethernet and an Airport. How would I put a password on the wireless network (I'm assuming Airport is an example of this).

[gradient]

Originally Posted by valnos 

I'm using an Ethernet and an Airport. How would I put a password on the wireless network (I'm assuming Airport is an example of this).

I think you mean that you are connected via ethernet to an AirPort Extreme router. If so...

Open the AirPort Utility application.
Click on the name/icon of your AirPort Extreme in the left-hand column.
Click 'Manual Setup'
Click Wireless.
Select a Wireless Security method (WPA2 recommended).
Enter a password in the two fields below the Wireless Security method selection.
Click Update to save the settings.

Note that if you have no intention of using the wireless portion of the router, the most secure thing would be to just turn the wireless off completely by changing the Wireless Mode to 'Off'.

Hope that helps.

Edit: There is also a wizard setup that you can go through by just clicking 'continue' once you've selected your AirPort Extreme from within the AirPort Utility App. I've never actually tried the wizard, but I expect that it's pretty straight forward. If you think you'll have a hard time with the steps above, the wizard may be the easiest thing to do.

Cheers.

[valnos]

For some reason it wasn't reading any Airport device when I used the Airport Utility. Fortunately, the other computers on the shared drive disappeared. I think that someone else in my neighborhood accidentally logged on to my network. I'd like to figure out some way to secure it better, however.

[Spheric Harlot]

How exactly are you connected? What device is hooked up to what other box via what cable, etc?

[-Q-]

Were you connected to someone else's wireless network by mistake? If your neighbor has an open wireless network, your machine could have joined theirs rather than yours.