The NetBIOS protocol is the currently preferred networking protocol for sharing files and printers between Windows computers on a network. It relies on broadcasts to advertise the various shares and therefore does not advertise shares out to the Internet (broadcasts are not passed through a router by default). This makes it reasonably secure, however there are ways to access file and printer shares over routed links so this is not an absolute.

To enable the NetBIOS protocol:

• Open the Control Panel, then double-click the network connections.
• Or, right-click My Network Places on the start menu and left-click on Properties.
• Right-click the Local Area Connection and left-click on Properties.
• Scroll down to Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click on it, then click the Properties button.
• Click the Advanced button on the TCP/IP Properties window.
• Click the WINS tab.
• Click the Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP setting.
• Click the Ok buttons to close the various windows and save your settings. A reboot is not required for this to take effect.