How to hide computer on network in finder sidebar?

Question

Level 1

8 points

How to hide computer on network in finder sidebar?

I'm using a shared network and I'm seeing unknown devices in my finder sidebar under 'shared'. Clicking for info returns nothing. I've read something about bonjour signals, but I'm not sure what that is.

What I want to know how to do is prevent my own devices from appearing in other peoples' 'shared' section, or elsewhere. Not just to prevent access to the contents of the devices, which I think turning off all sharing options ensures, but to prevent the visibility of the device there itself.

I've read that bonjour changed with Yosemite such that it's no longer easy to modify (assuming this is what I need to do).

Any solutions? Thanks.

MacBook Pro with Retina display

Posted on Sep 13, 2015 6:58 PM

Reply

Answer 1

AppleJoe

Community Manager

Sep 15, 2015 1:06 PM in response to cavara12

Hi cavara12,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

From your question, I understand that you would like to prevent your computers from appearing in other peoples Shared section in Finder. You can accomplish this by navigating to the Sharing section in System Preferences and disabling your sharing options. More information can be found in the attached article below.

Mac Basics: File Sharing - Apple Support

Best regards

Reply

Answer 2

cavara12 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 17, 2015 2:06 PM in response to cavara12

I'd still like to know if anyone can tell me explicitly whether or not turning off sharing will prevent visibility in another's shared section on the same network. I can seek other people's devices myself but can't connect to them, which I assume means they've disabled sharing. But again, since they remain visible, I assume I am as well.

Reply

Answer 3

chuck_3rd

Community Specialist

Sep 18, 2015 4:33 PM in response to cavara12

Hello again cavara12,

I understand that you would like a more clear answer. If you disable your sharing options from the Sharing section from System Preferences, your computer will not show in the Shared section in Finder on other Apple computers.

Have a great day

Reply