Protect your PC

Before connecting your own computer to the Kent network you must protect it from viruses and other threats. Campus student PCs and Staff Managed Desktops are automatically protected.

Do you download material online?

If you use file sharing (peer to peer) software, you must either remove the software from your PC before connecting to Kent, or check that you are complying with the guidelines for downloading material

Disable file sharing for your operating system

File sharing leaves your computer open to malicious attacks. Attackers can gain complete read/write access to your PC. You should disable file sharing if it is not needed.

Windows 7
  1. Click the start button, control panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click the Change Advanced Sharing Settings from the left-hand pane.
  3. Under Home or Work section, select Turn off File and Printer Sharing and Turn off Public Folder Sharing. Do the same under the public section.
  4. Click the save Changes button at the bottom of th e page, then close all windows to finish.
Windows Vista
  1. Click the start button, Network, Network and Sharing Centre.
  2. Click the arrow at the end of the row that says File sharing to expand it.
  3. Select Turn off file sharing and click Apply.
  4. Do the same for Public folder sharing and Media sharing, and close all windows to finish.
Windows XP and 2000
  1. Click Start, Run.
  2. In the Open box type fsmgmt.msc and click OK. You should see the Shared Folders window.
  3. Click on Shares (a folder in the left-hand side of the window). A full list of folder names (shares) will appear in the right-hand window. Shares with a $ symbol after them are system shares, these are safe and required by the Operating System to function fully. There is no need to stop sharing these.
  4. Right-click on the folder (share) that you want to stop sharing and select Stop Sharing. Click Yes when asked if you are sure you want to stop sharing the folder.
    The share name will then disappear from the right-hand window.
  5. To finish, click on File, Exit.
Mac OS X
  1. Click Apple menu, select System Preferences, Sharing (icon).
  2. Untick the box next to File Sharing in the list of services on the left.
  3. Click the red cross (left-hand corner of the window) to save changes and close the window.