unclsmty
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: how does another computer show up as "shared" in my file sidebar?

how does another computer show up as "shared" in my file sidebar?

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Oct 16, 2014 8:49 AM

by John Lockwood,Solvedanswer
John Lockwood John Lockwood
Level 6 (9,200 points)
Servers Enterprise
A:

If you are seeing someone else's computer in your sidebar it is because they have 'shared' something on their computer and hence made it available to you. If you share something on your computer then your computer would become visible in their sidebar.

 

You can access their shared computer without them being able to access yours. They do not have to do anything on your computer to make theirs available to you. All they have to do is tell you what username and password to use to access their computer.

Posted on Oct 16, 2014 9:14 AM

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unclsmty

Q: how does another computer show up as "shared" in my file sidebar?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Loner T,Helpful

    Loner T Loner T Oct 16, 2014 8:51 AM in response to unclsmty
    Level 7 (23,543 points)
    Safari
    Oct 16, 2014 8:51 AM in response to unclsmty

    It is based on System Preferences -> Sharing settings on the Mac that you have visibility to.

  • by unclsmty,

    unclsmty unclsmty Oct 16, 2014 9:08 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 9:08 AM in response to Loner T

    Thanks Loner T, does the other person have to set this access up on my computer and do they have access to my hard drive?

  • by John Lockwood,Solvedanswer

    John Lockwood John Lockwood Oct 16, 2014 9:14 AM in response to unclsmty
    Level 6 (9,200 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Oct 16, 2014 9:14 AM in response to unclsmty

    If you are seeing someone else's computer in your sidebar it is because they have 'shared' something on their computer and hence made it available to you. If you share something on your computer then your computer would become visible in their sidebar.

     

    You can access their shared computer without them being able to access yours. They do not have to do anything on your computer to make theirs available to you. All they have to do is tell you what username and password to use to access their computer.

  • by Loner T,Helpful

    Loner T Loner T Oct 16, 2014 9:22 AM in response to unclsmty
    Level 7 (23,543 points)
    Safari
    Oct 16, 2014 9:22 AM in response to unclsmty

    As John Lockwood mentions, any device that shares itself on the network is deemed a "server", while any device that can "see" the shared resource is a "client". Guest account being enabled has implications on accessibility. For Security purposes, Guest account is typically off.

  • by unclsmty,

    unclsmty unclsmty Oct 16, 2014 10:14 AM in response to John Lockwood
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 10:14 AM in response to John Lockwood

    Thanks John Lockwood, this answers my question. As you can tell I am a novice so thanks for helping a dummy out.

  • by unclsmty,

    unclsmty unclsmty Oct 16, 2014 10:15 AM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 16, 2014 10:15 AM in response to Loner T

    Thanks Loner T. Between you and John Lockwood I am a little smarter on this now. Thanks again. Unclsmty

  • by Diego Jobs,

    Diego Jobs Diego Jobs Sep 24, 2015 6:28 AM in response to John Lockwood
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 24, 2015 6:28 AM in response to John Lockwood

    Something is not right with the answer that "someone are just sharing their PC"...Because how can that piece of information get in to your private network if nothing but the Internet Service provider suppose to have access to show data in to your system?

    In other words how can your next door neighbor computer show on yours if he is not connected to your router or wifi? How can you see him if you are "not" connected to his wifi?

    For what I understand you can only use one wireless or networking service at time, right? At least on a End User set up.

  • by Diego Jobs,

    Diego Jobs Diego Jobs Sep 24, 2015 6:30 AM in response to unclsmty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 24, 2015 6:30 AM in response to unclsmty

    Something is not right with the answer that "someone are just sharing their PC"...Because how can that piece of information get in to your private network if nothing but the Internet Service provider suppose to have access to show data in to your system?

    In other words how can your next door neighbor computer show on yours if he is not connected to your router or wifi? How can you see him if you are "not" connected to his wifi?

    For what I understand you can only use one wireless or networking service at time, right? At least on a End User set up.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Sep 24, 2015 7:29 AM in response to Diego Jobs
    Level 7 (23,543 points)
    Safari
    Sep 24, 2015 7:29 AM in response to Diego Jobs

    Please read about BonJour in the following...

     

    https://www.apple.com/support/bonjour/

    Security implications of Bonjour protocol for developers and administrators - Apple Support

     

    If you enable sharing internally in your LAN, unless you specifically block it on your ISP gateway, others outside your network (on the WAN) can also see your shared resources.