Is my Username visible on the network?

Hi guys! I have just joined the forum and I am a proud mac owner for the first time.

I know that when you are on a network(wi fi internet access), you leave behind your identity in logs concerning your IP address, and even your COMPUTER name

But for the sake of privacy, I was wondering if it is possible that someone can find out the USERNAME that i'm logged in as on my mac.

If so, is this kind of information usually left in logs in network logs?

How can i hide my logged in username?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Hi,
when you have a file sharing enabled, your mac has a name that is visible on a network (either via AFP, or SAMBA. I think that the default name for a user "Obama" will be "Obama's computer" or something like this. So in a way, other people could see the username. You can change the name under which your mac is visible in

Preferences>Sharing>File Sharing>Computer Name

Click to expand...

and you can put what ever you want.

Note that if you are on a public hotspot and you don't want other computers to see yours at all (I'm talking only about AFP/Samba), just disable the File Sharing.



cheers,
Tex

Thanks for replying Tex-Twil, I have disabled file sharing now
The last time I was at the hotspot, I left my File Sharing on, is it probable that my name was recorded in a log somewhere?
Or is IP address usually enough in logs?

Disabling file sharing does not prevent you from showing up in the logs that you were on the network. What it does is prevent other people who are on the same network as you from seeing you in their network and being able to access your computer. If you have a password on your system they can't actually see any files, unless of course you put them in your public folder. And they also can't add files to your computer unless they put them in your drop box, so in reality they can't cause you any harm there. But you will show up in the logs.

Unless you are doing something very illegal though like terrorizing the country, or preying on children... you really have nothing to worry about if your name is in the logs.

PowerBookG4 said:

Disabling file sharing does not prevent you from showing up in the logs that you were on the network.

Click to expand...

I think we have to define what we're talking about.

When you're connected on a network there are logs of course, even if you disable file sharing. When you access the net, you the admin can see where you are connecting to and so on.

The initial question was if pple can see your mac's username and that's why I focused on the File Sharing.

Naturally, even if you disable the file sharing, it does NOT mean that you're anonymous on the net.


Tex

Thanks for the clarification.

Yes, I am aware that the network will log activities, but I'm only concerned about my username showing up.

It seems that with file sharing disabled, that can be accomplished?

GeneLime said:

It seems that with file sharing disabled, that can be accomplished?

Click to expand...

yep