I have a desktop computer with cable internet access and my father has a laptop. For Christmas, I’m going to get what he needs to use my connection. I assume this means that I need to set up a network. Based on a quick look in Best Buy what I think I need is a wireless card to plug into his laptop and a wireless router for me. I Is that all the hardware I need? I assume the software I’ll need comes with the hardware. Also, I don’t want him to see my personal files. (Ok, ok. My porn.) Is it easy to configure the network so we can’t read each other’s computer? Is it possible to accidently stumble upon it? Can I set it up so that we can’t read each other’s files but still easily print things for him? Any other advice would be appreciated.
Share your printer, but none of your files (“print sharing” and “file sharing” should be easy to research). Unless your dad is some kinda hacker, he’s not likely to roam the contents of your computer from his computer. This won’t protect you, of course, from him just walking over to your computer while you’re out and turning it on.
Of course, he likely is just as perved as you, so stop getting yourself all worked up.
That is all the equipment you need. It shouldn’t be too hard to set up. The advice about file and print sharing is correct. Just turn on print sharing only.
The wireless router actually hooks straight into your cable or DSL modem. Computers, including yours, get their own connections from there and there is no reason that they have to talk to each other at all. That is, except for the print sharing. You could get him his own printer or there is a part called a “print server” that would take your computer out of the loop for him. The advantage to that is your computer wouldn’t have to be on for him to print. It won’t have to be on to connect to the internet anyway the way you are going.
The suggested stuff will work. Print sharing lets him print and do nothing else but your computer has to be on. It is possible to undo that part too.