BleepingComputer.com: Workgroup for XP concern

I have a router in my house that has WIFI built into it (provided by ISP). I have one computer hard wired to the router. My other 3 computers are on WIFI.

I set up the same workgroup on all the computers. I went to Network Places/Add a Network Place/Choose Another Network Location/Browse/Entire Network/Microsoft Windows Network. It listed the Workgroup that I created.

I went to each folder that was shared (My Documents, Desktop, Music, etc) and added them to My Network Places. The only concern is that the networked computers and folders show up under the Internet category, not the Local Area Network category. Are the computers safe from external hackers or can anyone on the same ISP join the workgroup and access the files? Since all the computers have direct access to the internet (through WIFI), I don't think I need to set up a Local Area Network.

All of the computers that connect either wirelessly or wired are on a local area network using and NAT which is provided by the modem/router combo provided by your ISP. I'm not sure why you would have done anything to the shares once you had shared them. Once you share a folder or printer it is automatically available on the LAN as long as you have file and printer sharing enabled for each computer.

I moved this from Windows XP Home and Professional to Networking.

Baltboy, on 27 August 2011 - 10:12 AM, said:

I noticed on the last computer I added to the workgroup automatically added the "other computers". But the "other computers" show up under the category "Internet", not "Local Area Network".

I will remove the shared folders and the workgroup on all the computers and redo it again. I'll let it set up automatically and see where all the computers show up (under "Internet" or "Local Area Network").