Sharing a folder to the world

I'd like to make my mp3 folder available to me no matter where I am - internet cafe, friends house, work etc. Is there a cheap (read free) and easy way to link this folder from my website, provided my pc is on of course. I'd like to download, but NOT delete or modify anything. Possible?

Just running a webserver would do it. You can just use basic auth to prevent other people looking at your files as well.

- Trevor

I use a small ftp server.

Can you recommend one? Or will this bulletproof one do the job?

Nope sorry. I take it you're using Windows though?
If you do use IIS then make sure it's up to date with all the patches!

- Trevor

Yes, XP Home. I'll try a few servers and see what I can do. I'm just playing just now, nothing serious.

I've made a server (I think). Could someone test this out for me? PM me and I'll send details.

Thanks

As was already said, running a web server or an FTP server will do it just fine. But remember that anyone who can access your computer can also exploit it. Windows is full of security holes, and by exposing your computer to the internet, you're opening the door for hackers and exploit worms like Code Red.

Is your computer connected via dial-up or broadband? If the latter, what security is currently in place between your computer and the rest of the world? (Maybe it's a moot point and you've been long since compromised.)

I'm on broadband. Only have Sygate firewall in place.

Only have Sygate firewall in place.

Having a firewall is a good thing. Don't recognize the name, so I don't know if it's a software or hardware firewall. If software, you need to make sure to open the proper port (80 for web, 21 for FTP) to allow external connections on that port. If it's a hardware NAT/firewall/router, you need to set it up to do port forwarding on those same ports.

Its a free software firewall - I find it quite good. I've deliberatly tried to gain access but my ports seem to be totally hidden, but there is always a chance.

I'm also having problems with my IPs as I only have a dynamic IP and am also behind a router! Fun and games for me tonight!

I'm also having problems with my IPs as I only have a dynamic IP and am also behind a router! Fun and games for me tonight!

There are sites out there which allow you to create an actual domain name against your dynamic IP. For example www.dynip.com .

Hmm seems I've rebooted 4 times and have been assigned the same ip each time.

I'm still having problems getting this to work. I'm connected to a Netgear RP114 router and my PC is running Sygate software firewall. I'm using the latesr version of Bulletproof FTP server v2.21 but am totally lost as tman will confirm!

Bulletproof sees me as connected to 192.168.0.4 which I expect. But I'm on 213.107.xx.xxx outwith the router. I think I'm right in thinking I need to tell the router to allow access, and to forward ports etc, but I'm still over the place here Anyone done this already?

Bulletproof sees me as connected to 192.168.0.4 which I expect.

Right. That's your INTERNAL NETWORK address.

But I'm on 213.107.xx.xxx outwith the router.

Exactly. That's your EXTERNAL address.

The job of the router is to do NETWORK ADDRESS TRANSLATION (NAT) between those two addresses. When you are behind NAT, outside addresses can't see you. In fact, when you're behind a NAT layer like that and you're not opening anything up to the world, your software firewall is probably overkill. But you're about to change that, so it's good you have a software firewall.

Anyhoo, you have to set up port forwarding on that router, or if you really wanted to go all-out, a DMZ. Instructions for doing this should be in the router's manual.

edna is a cool MP3 webserver.

It most probably assigns the IP address with DHCP. The DHCP lease is probably about a day or two so if you just reboot it'll give you the same IP. Leave it disconnected for a few days and it'll give you a new IP.

It'll probably be easier to allow incoming web access instead of FTP as you only need to forward a single port.

- Trevor

Is that much different to ftp? How would I go about doing that?

Oh, I have the ftp working now, thanks all!