Resolved Private or Public Network

I have always had my home computer (one stand-alone computer on an Ethernet connection/Cable, with one printer) set on Private network. In the Windows Help and Support on my Vista Home Premium, it states that the "public" setting gives the most privacy. This sounds contradictory to me. Do I have my computer set properly?

Private network -

Network Discovery: ON
File Sharing: ON
Public Folder: OFF
Printer Sharing OFF
Password Prortected Sharing: ON
Media Sharing: OFF


My Map shows my computer icon (this computer) / Private Network / Internet

Any thoughts out there? Is the "private" network the best setting for a stand-alone computer or "public. "

 

I believe I allowed Windows to do the Network Discovery. I also have allowed Lexmark to "read" my printer usage and utilize my usage patterns, but that is just through the Internet, I believe, not through a network file. So, to answer your question, I'm not file sharing with any other computer.

 

Thanks Tony T: Is there a way to identify with whom I am sharing files? bf

 

I have turned "off" the file sharing and my printer still works. Not sure why I have had this file sharing option on. Still don't really understand the difference between public and private networks, I'll have to do some studying up on this whole issue. As for now, I've shut my file sharing off and we'll see what that does for my stand-alone computer on a cable modem.

 

I have gone back to the "drawing boards" and read the Help & Support articles on file sharing and understand it a lot more, now. Thanks for your feedback. A particularly good article that helped me review file sharing basics was: "File Sharing Essentials "