I just networked the first 2 computers in my signature to share files and a printer on a wired FIOS network. Win 7 is on the web, but I want to keep the XP computer off the web. How do I do that? I've already gone through 10 pages of tutorials, but can't find the right one.
Last edited by RoWin7; 15 May 2017 at 18:16.
Probably the simplest way is to do it in your router.
Most routers are able to block access to the internet WAN port based on either MAC address or IP address, so configure your router to block the systems you don't want to have internet access.
If blocking by IP address, you may want to setup your WinXP boxes to have a fixed/static local IP address so that it won't change based on your local IP DHCP server.
Have you applied the patch for XP to close the vunrability
Yes, I have, and I kept my XP safe with additional security programs for 3 years after updates stopped, but I don't see any reason to leave it on the web any more. I use it for my data backup and to run programs that won't run in Win 7. I also have an image of my Win 7 on an external HD.
I don't have much faith in "free with service" routers, as they are mostly crippled subsets of the full Router as far as customisation is concerned but the following may be a place to start ...
Fios user manuals - Fios Internet | Verizon
One more Q: if XP is off the web but networked, can it catch any malware entering the Win 7 puter?
Although the XP system is safer than if it was directly connected to the internet, there is still some risk. Some Malware will spread over a LAN once it has infected one system on the LAN, ( mostly those targetting commercial users, Wanacry is one of them), so you need to ensure that the Internet facing system is protected and I would still run suitable 3rd party Anti-Malware on both systems
Last edited by Barman58; 20 May 2017 at 03:05.
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