security issues please help

[dimsum411]

call me paranoid, but i would like to know how to password protect my shared resources on a workgroup based network. (2 desktops, 1 laptop) is there a way, and has anyone had any experience doing this?

the reason is i found another ip snooping around my router. and nowadays, it seems everyone in my neighborhood has a wireless network configuration, so the added security would help ease my mind.

any network admins?

by the way all three comps are using xp pro

[Shadow]

If I were you, I'd use PGP [Pretty Good Protection] on your comps... BTW, What did you use to notice the other IP? Because, if you used netstat, many ip's on it are often from a non-physical location [not near to you], like a website you're loacing, or MSN, etc.

Edit: You could also use Encryption - That way, noone except for those who have the key can connect tothe router, and via the router, the shared resources... other than the people who use sniffers [which takes weeks to unencrypt keys]. OH yea, and never use Admin/Admin or any words as your l/p [linksys].