Why does enabling file sharing make my computer vulnerable to intruders?
The settings that allow your computer to be a member of the file sharing communities open a back door to your computer. With file sharing enabled, your computers unique addresss becomes community information, at least temporarily. During this time it becomes possible for an intruder to abuse this information, allowing him or her to see other elements on your desktop including personal files, social security numbers, correspondence, research and photographs. Beyond the possible compromise of your personal information, your computer and the network that it is connected to can also be used by intruders to launch attacks on outside locations. This could happen without your knowledge, but the footprint left behind would be yours.
