Risk & Safety
Enabling guest access on Shared Folder on Windows can be a quick solution to solve the problem of blocked access. However, this step carries a great security risk. Without clear authentication, anyone on the same network could access the folder, increasing the likelihood of data leaks or cyberattacks. This is especially dangerous on unsecured networks, such as public Wi-Fi or workplaces without additional protection.
In addition to the risk of data leaks, unauthenticated guest access can also open up opportunities for the spread of malware or ransomware. Attacks such as Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) can occur, where hackers break into the network and steal important information through Shared Folder. Therefore, it is highly recommended to only enable this feature if necessary and in an environment that is already protected with a firewall and strong data encryption.
As a safer alternative, we recommend using a user account with valid credentials to access Shared Folder. This way, only certain users with permissions can access the folder, minimizing security risks. Users can also set access levels, such as allowing only read-only for multiple accounts so that files cannot be changed or deleted carelessly. With this step, data security is maintained without sacrificing accessibility in the network.