Can co-workers access my homegroup and NAS via my VPN connection?

I work primarily from home using a company provided laptop. I connect to work resources via a VPN.

The VPN client I typically use is SonicWall SSL VPN NetExtender. However, the other day I was using the SonicWall Global VPN Client and I noticed several new devices appear under Network in Window Explorer. Usually I just see the devices in my own homegroup. I tried to access the new devices and for the most part got denied access messages, but I was able to access a NAS device and files on that device. It got me thinking about my own security.

Can my co-workers access my computers and my own NAS?

When I open the Network and Sharing Center I see that I am connected to my home network via a network cable connection and also a wireless connection. Both of these indicate that they have joined the homegroup.

The VPN connection shows up as a public network and does not show connectivity to the homegroup. So since this does not appear to be connected to the homegroup am I secure?

I ensured that all of my NAS shares are accessible via local users only so I'm fairly comfortable with that. But I am wondering about the shared libraries on all computers in my homegroup. Are those secure? Can anyone answer this for me?

Thanks.

lizardpie said:

I work primarily from home using a company provided laptop. I connect to work resources via a VPN.

The VPN client I typically use is SonicWall SSL VPN NetExtender. However, the other day I was using the SonicWall Global VPN Client and I noticed several new devices appear under Network in Window Explorer. Usually I just see the devices in my own homegroup. I tried to access the new devices and for the most part got denied access messages, but I was able to access a NAS device and files on that device. It got me thinking about my own security.

Can my co-workers access my computers and my own NAS?

When I open the Network and Sharing Center I see that I am connected to my home network via a network cable connection and also a wireless connection. Both of these indicate that they have joined the homegroup.

The VPN connection shows up as a public network and does not show connectivity to the homegroup. So since this does not appear to be connected to the homegroup am I secure?

I ensured that all of my NAS shares are accessible via local users only so I'm fairly comfortable with that. But I am wondering about the shared libraries on all computers in my homegroup. Are those secure? Can anyone answer this for me?

Thanks.

If those machines are in a Homegroup then they won't be accessible from the VPN unless you share the folders with "Everyone" using the Homegroup style share's. The Everyone setting will share that folder with Everyone connected to the Workgroup. Without the Everyone setting, no body in the Workgroup or the VPN will have access to those folders.

Thanks for the info. I think I have it setup properly, but it's easy to miss something.