Understanding Shared Folders and the Windows Firewall

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

Sharing a folder or file creates a Windows Firewall exception for File and Printer Sharing. The exception opens the ports listed in the following table.

The default scope is to allow access from any computer on the network, including computers on the Internet. Unless you block incoming connections on these ports using a hardware firewall, firewall server, or other Internet-sharing device, your computer will be vulnerable to attack from the Internet as long as your Internet connection is active.

For more information about Windows Firewall, click Start, click Help and Support, and then search for the keyword Firewall.