why does another printer show in sharing preferences?

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Level 1

9 points

why does another printer show in sharing preferences?

Why does another printer show in sharing preferences on system preferences? This printer appears as a Why does workgroup when I hit the arror to the right to explore? I do not own that computer. I only have one wireless Epson workforce.

Also, I have to choose "everyone can print" in printer preferences or nothing prints-- there is no connection. If I choose my admin name for printing control, it reads no access.

I have been hacked before and questions if I am indeed the admininstrator. The other day my curser was moving on it's own. i had no control. I tried to tape the strange actions.

Please assist. Thank you.

Bobbie

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012)

Posted on Jul 19, 2017 2:49 PM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,202 points

Jul 25, 2017 1:47 PM in response to Boobie Ann

Any printer that your Mac "knows" about can be shared with others via System Preferences > Sharing > Printer Sharing.

It doesn't matter if the printer is directly connected to your computer or is a network printer (connected to your local network by wire or by wireless.) For each printer, you can control who can access it. By default, that access is granted to the Everyone group.

The image below is taken from my Mac mini. There are four printers listed under the Printers window that represent all of my network printers. I currently do not have a printer directly connected to my mini. In this image I am not currently sharing out any of my printers as there is no need to. Anyone else on my same home network can access these printers without me sharing them. The printer sharing feature was basically designed to share printers that were directly attached to your computer. That is because, it enables the printer server feature on your Mac. This server is NOT needed for network printers as they have their "own."

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Answer 2

Boobie Ann Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 20, 2017 9:17 AM in response to Tesserax

Thank you for the reply. No devices are connected on my home network. And, oddly, I just got locked out of my Android cellphone. My security pin no longer works. This has happened before and texts from certain individuals are deleted, as well as photos.

The printer in system preferences reads that it is a workgroup.

I try to delete that printer, but cannot?

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Answer 3

Tesserax

Level 10

158,202 points

Jul 21, 2017 7:30 AM in response to Boobie Ann

No devices are connected on my home network.

When this "unknown" printer shows up is this when your MacBook Pro (MBP) is connected to your home network? If so, what is the make & model of your Internet modem, router or gateway device that your MBP is connected to by wireless?

The printer in system preferences reads that it is a workgroup.

I try to delete that printer, but cannot?

A workgroup printer would be one that is shared on a network. The term "workgroup" is common in Microsoft-based networking. It will be important to know if this is happening on your home network and how you get Internet access. For example, is it a shared network or do you have your own Internet Service Provider?

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Answer 4

Boobie Ann Author

Level 1

9 points

Jul 25, 2017 11:04 AM in response to Tesserax

This is my home Internet, Xfinity. I do print to an Epson Workforce wirelessly. I can only print if I click on the "everyone can print" icon in printer sharing preferences. If I click on my computer's nae or admin icon, macbook will not print and it reald, 'no acess."

Thank you!

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Answer 5

Tesserax

Level 10

158,202 points

Jul 19, 2017 3:01 PM in response to Boobie Ann

Other devices can appear because they are on the same network as you are. Is this a home network or somewhere else when these issues occur?

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