For People Who Bring Their Laptops Out

[RobertX]

For those who bring laptops outside like to Wi-Fi hotspots, do you usually keep your folders shared or do you disable the sharing of your folders.

Since my mother bought a new computer last month, I inherited her laptop and plan to take it outside when the pandemic is done like dinner over here.

Does that seem wise (keeping the sharing configuration)?

[waregim]

I am not so sure I understand the question.

With my laptop, I do not even permit it to see my network. Data is transferred via my website, or a USB stick.
I dont keep any personal data on it either.
I use it when travelling mostly, and fully expect it to be 'hacked'. Its WIn10, so a garbage, backdoored OS is built into it.

If stolen, they would not even be able to discern my name. Its not on the machine.

That said, if you are comfortable sharing the data on your laptop with others, and if its not a problem, go for it.
Just keep personal or sensitive info out of shared directories.

[RobertX]

You just answered the question.

See, that's not so hard!

EDIT: I think I should provide a little background as to why I ask the question.

See, this laptop I'm using is a 32-bit laptop and it has Xubuntu 18.04. Old I know, but it's the latest and the most useful operating system I can Use on it.

I did not install SAMBA on the hard drive and thus, am not sharing any folders. Until you, waregim, answered my query, I was planning to. Now I won't.

So, all in all, I have access to my home network via a switch, but I want to take it out to say, a library or a coffee shop if the pandemic isn't so bad, or go out camping if there is a Wi-Fi hotspot in a familiar vicinity.

Thank you, waregim, for the first answer. Others are welcome to submit theirs. I am hoping this topic will be popular and help others.

[waregim]

For security, replace the switch with a router.

Here I have a Comcast modem/router with hardware firewall, going into a netgear router with my network running off of that. 2 NAT firewalls.

Though technically the ports on the cable modems cannot interact without a bridge, as most are not secured, anyone with knowledge of the software inside could pretty much do anything. At least in theory.

Log into your cable modem. Typically it is 10.0.0.1 (or check the plate underneath, or call tech support). Also google make and model, it may provide the info. Logins are typically admin\admin but that is vairable.

You will probably find some unexpected settings there.

Some routers can act as hotspots. I have been to places where the laptop connected directly to Comcast bypassing the typical logins of configured hotspots.

[RobertX]

Shit, I didn't mean a switch, I meant a router.

How the hell did I get that wrong?

The thing is, I was planning to buy a switch to add more computers and I have a router, computers that I 'll use at home to the network.

Sorry about the mix-up.

[waregim]

Consider a router instead of a switch. You can fine tune the security for connections off the second router vs first.

Like:
Permitting uPnP/Port Forwarding off the first router, and block it on the second.You can download and seed off the first, and seal off external incoming ports on the second.

If price is an issue, just get a cheap 10/100 for the second (its what I use). Network transfers slower, but if time is not an issue.....
For fun or experience, get a WRT router, or use a switch with an old Linux machine to act as a fully configurable router.

[RobertX]

Thank you, waregim.

I don't want to derail the topic into a router vs. switch discussion, so for that, I will say: "more submissions are welcome!"

As per waregim's recommendation, I think I will not share files on my laptop. I will keep a path open on my home network for my Xubuntu laptop to access, but the laptop will not share anything.

So thank you for that recommendation as well, waregim. You are my special friend.

[waregim]

Oh.
For some *real* fun get a Raspberry Pi with a switch.

Check out the Linux Cookbook 2nd Ed on TPB. Chapter 18.