Broadband providers like cable modem and DSL companies always suggest getting multiple IP address’ to connect multiple computers to their modem. This may work fine for surfing and email, but can be a huge headache and security risk for sharing files and printers. Of course, the broadband providers do not tell you this because they usually get to charge you extra money for each computer this way. This article will explain why this is a bad idea.

Most broadband companies will help you get multiple computers on the Internet by selling you additional IP address. You will need a hub or a switch between your cable modem and computers but little else is needed. Both computers can get to the Internet, but the whole Internet can get to both of your computers too!

When file sharing is enabled, Microsoft windows ‘broadcasts’ the fact that you have files and printers to share. When ‘bound’ to TCP/IP, this information is available to the whole world! Hackers are always scanning the Internet for Microsoft file and print shares on the Internet. You can enable a password on each of your shares, but it is VERY easy to forget to do this.

Worse still, if your computers were given IP address’ by your ISP that are on different logical networks, or subnets, then your computers will be unable to easily see each other in your network neighborhood. If you are on a cable modem, your neighbors might be able to see your computers easier than you can! ARGH!

Some web sites say that the best way to deal with this problem is to install NetBEUI to share files and printers. The problem with this is two fold. 1) your neighbors may STILL be able to see your file and print shares and 2) your file copy traffic is not only sent between your computers, it is sent out over the broadband modem! Copying files can become VERY slow and unreliable. Often large files become corrupted or fail to copy with a network like this.

The solution is to separate your Internet traffic from your LAN (file sharing) traffic. To do this, a special networking device or software can be placed between your computers and the Internet. The devices are called broadband routers or Internet gateways. Programs can be loaded on one of your computer to do this but require two network cards in the computer that has the sharing software running.

Newer Microsoft operating systems have a program called ICS that can do this for you or more robust solutions can be purchased from various software vendors.

Broadband routers are a better solution if you want to be able to plug in a device and never have to think about it again.

A broadband router will keep your computers from broadcasting their file sharing traffic across the Internet. In addition, attempts by hackers to access your computers are stopped by a broadband router. Lastly, broadband routers can share your single Internet connection with all the computers in your house without having to pay your broadband provider extra money for each computer!