Can I disable NetBios

[wheelie007]

I am running winXP SP1 and have a 2 NIC setup. One NIC connects to my ADSL modem and the other NIC connects to a switch box for an internal LAN with my sons computers.

I have been reading about internet security and even tho I use a firewall (zonealarm) I have read that I should dsiable netbios for the best security.

The problem I have is that netbios over TCP/IP is required for filesharing over the LAN.

At present I have both NICS set up with

Client for Microsoft Networks
File and printer sharing
TCP/IP (netbios over tcp/ip enabled)

On the NIC that i have connected to the internet I also have ICS enabled.

My questions are:

On the NIC that i use to connect to the net and for ICS, can I disable File and printer sharing and also disable netbios without having any effect on my internet connection nor on my sons connecting to the net through my ICS.

The other NIC I will leave as it is.

thanks

[bailey]

you would be much better off if you would use a router instead of the way your doing it now,
if the other computers on your lan are also xp, then you do not need the netbios or the firewall, the second nic or the iics

[Siliconjunkie]

Yeah, what bailey said.

[SpookyEddy]

Yes you should be able to disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP for the adapter that you have hooked up to the internet.

From some random web site (may or may not be correct, I don't have a Windows machine handy to check)...

For Windows 2000/XP users:

* Open Windows Explorer
* Right-click on My Network Places
* Select: Properties
* Right-click on Local Area Network
* Select: Properties
* Select: Internet Protocol TCP/IP
* Click on Properties
* Click on Advanced
* Select the WINS tab
* Select Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
* Click OK

While a dedicated router may well be a better option I see nothing wrong with your current setup for home use.

Regards

ed

[wheelie007]

many thanks for the advice guys. cheers

[Siliconjunkie]

Just unbind it from the internet facing adapter, steps are very similar to Eddys description. Disabling it over TCP/IP could cause headaches unless you install another protocol.

[elroy]

I've run a home network using a router and also using ICS w/o a router. I never did enable netbios.

[wheelie007]

well I went ahead and disabled netbios over TCP/IP as well as file sharing on the internet NIC. So far no ill effects. LAN still working fine.

thanks guys.