File sharing, single folder (not drive)

Discussion in 'macOS' started by swmr, Dec 8, 2011.

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  1. swmr, Dec 8, 2011

    swmr macrumors regular

    swmr

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2008
    Location:
    Penn State
    #1
    Ok I really couldn't think of a descriptive title.

    And I could figure to post this here or under Lion. I run one computer with each, and the issue is on both sides.

    Ok so on my laptop, I have File Sharing turned on, and one item being shared, which is a disc image. When I connect from my iMac (using laptops username and PW) I can see the dmg as well as the home folder and the entire hard drive on my laptop.

    In the other direction, I have one folder shared on my iMac, but when I connect from my MBP I can see that folder, the home folder, and the entire hard drive.

    I can promise you, on neither machine do I have it set to share my hard drive contents, or home folder contents. Does anyone have an idea on how to fix this? Basically, if somebody cracks the password for my shared folder, they have my entire hard drive at their disposal.

    The only fix I can think of is to create sharing only accounts and passwords for each machine. Then suddenly I have to remember 4 total usernames and passwords just to share a couple files.

    Please help!
     
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  2. swiftaw, Dec 8, 2011

    swiftaw macrumors 603

    swiftaw

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    Location:
    Omaha, NE, USA
    #2
    You're logging in using your username and password, so of course you have access to everything, you are the user.

    The shared folders section is essentially just for sharing folders with non users. Try it, removed all Shared Folders and try to connect to the other machine with your username and password, you'll still be able to see everything. This is as expected. If you log in as a user you should see everything you would if you were on that machine directly.
     
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  3. swmr, Dec 8, 2011

    swmr thread starter macrumors regular

    swmr

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Penn State
    #3
    Hmm I suppose that makes sense. I thought even if the username was used only the designated shared folders would be shared. So I guess all I need is a strong enough password to keep other users of the network out.

    At home I have no windows machines, so I don't know what access they have...what happens when I am on a public network somewhere?
     
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  4. swiftaw, Dec 8, 2011

    swiftaw macrumors 603

    swiftaw

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Omaha, NE, USA
    #4
    If you don't need to connect to your mac from windows machines then go to System Prefs->Sharing then press the Options button.

    A window will pop up, make sure that Share Files and Folders using SMB (Windows) is unchecked.
     
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  5. swmr, Dec 8, 2011

    swmr thread starter macrumors regular

    swmr

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2008
    Location:
    Penn State
    #5
    It was already unchecked. So I guess windows can't even connect

    Thanks!

    ----------

    Is there at least a way I can choose not to display usernames when asking for the password? Right now "mitch" is already filled in and all it needs is the pw. At least if someone didn't know my username its a little more secure.
     
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  6. swiftaw, Dec 8, 2011

    swiftaw macrumors 603

    swiftaw

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2005
    Location:
    Omaha, NE, USA
    #6
    It autofills with the username of the mac you are currently using, so if the user on both macs have the same username then it'll be the correct username for for the other mac too.

    For example, suppose I have two macs, Mac A and Mac B and I have a user on both macs called Bob. If I am on Mac A as Bob and I try to connect to Mac B the username box will be autofilled as Bob.

    However suppose my username on Mac A is Bob but my username on Mac B is Bob2. If I am on Mac A and try to connect to Mac B the box will say Bob (and thus I'll have to change it to Bob2 to connect to Mac B).

    Therefore, if a another mac (that you don't own) tries to connect to your mac, it won't be autofilled with your username but with theirs.


    Does this make sense?
     
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  7. swmr, Dec 8, 2011

    swmr thread starter macrumors regular

    swmr

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2008
    Location:
    Penn State
    #7
    Ha yes it does. Thanks for spelling it out I feel a little better now when I connect somewhere else. Until now I never cared because ALL of my sharing was just turned off.
     
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