file://localhost shows entire Hard drive

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Mark - 10 Jul 2003 07:06 GMT

Was wondering what file://localhost is, and why when I click on it in
my FAVORITIES menu ( it appeared after I downloaded ver. 5.2.3) it
shows all the folders on my computer's hard drive. Can someone hack
or log into my computer and download/see my files ( I use airport)
this way?

Just curious
Mark

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Richard Grieve Mac MVP - 10 Jul 2003 11:27 GMT

> Was wondering what file://localhost is, and why when I click on it in
> my FAVORITIES menu ( it appeared after I downloaded ver. 5.2.3) it
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Just curious
> Mark

This is just an alternative method of file browsing which also allows
you to see invisible files and folders. Since you're only browsing
locally, there is no real security risk in doing this.

FWIW, you could even just type in file:/// to get to the same listing.

As far as general AirPort access is concerned, as long as you have set
the option to make sure that your network data transfer is encrypted,
then you should be perfectly fine. I can't remember exactly what the
setting is called, but it's most likely to be a default option enabled
already within your AirPort admin software.

HTH,

Ricky

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Mac Forum / Applications / Internet Explorer / July 2003

file://localhost shows entire Hard drive