Protecting a network folder

[B@Z]

Hi there,
wondering if somebody could help me out a little.
Today i have setup my file server (a basic one, but it does the job).

It is a P3 450mhz with 1x 12gb hdd (partition to give 5gb for OS and 8gb for photo's) and then a second 80gb hdd for music.
On the 5gb partition i will be using a folder to store my work data (generally word docs etc) on so i can easily access them from either my laptop or other desktop.

My question is, can i protect that data folder some how?
i hae made it a shared folder, and can see it on the network, but i would like to password protect it if possible.
the reason being is that i share the internet connection with my neighbours (yes they do know lol) but the connection isn't secured, so any passer by on the street can hook up to it.

i am using 'workgroup' for sharing the files... i suppose i could make up a different workgroup name which would make it more difficult for passers by to find the actual workgroup on the network??!? (does that make sense?)

can anyone help out on this at all?
all i seem to find when i google the topic is permission settings for domain setups.

 

[apj101]

you can set up passwords however to do so would require that you turn off simple file sharing.

The description of which is a little hard to explain in one post, so i will give you a link to read. Perhaps after reading it you could post back questions and it will be easier to help

first turn off simple file sharing
1. Double-click My Computer on the desktop.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the View tab, and then select the Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended) check box to turn on Simple File Sharing. (Clear this check box to turn off this feature.)

then read (and follow these)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/filesharing.mspx

 

[B@Z]

Thanks for the reply.
I've only just had chance to test this out.
i've managed to get to the advanced options and on to the permissions screen.
i have also managed to set the permissions for the users on each of my local machines. but i cannot add a network user.

by this i mean, when i go to add a new user to the permissions list, in the 'location' field it only gives me the option to choose the local machine (so i'f i'm on my laptop, it will only give me the laptop to search for new users, and not my server upstairs)

they are both networked and sharing files perfectly well, so they can 'see' eachother ok.

any idea's why this is?