When connecting to the Internet we can make use of multiple devices and also be able to connect to the network through different methods. Our operating systems have the ability to offer connection thanks to the hardware they have, but also because of the software available and how it is configured. In this article we are going to talk about the differences between the public or private network of Windows 10. This way we will know when it is convenient to use one option and another, always with the aim of maintaining security and not having problems.
How to differentiate a public and private network
When we connect to a network for the first time, either via Wi-Fi or cable , the operating system will ask us to identify the network. We must mark if it is a public or private network. It is something that is done for security. A way to avoid problems if we are in an insecure network, something that could put our personal data at risk and serve as an entry point for attackers.
What Windows does when we choose one or the other option is to configure that network. In this way, privacy and security can improve and be more protected against possible intruders that may be in that network to which we are connecting for the first time. However, it is something that we can change at any time. For example, we can assign a network as public and later change it to private.
Private network
First of all we are going to mention what a private network is in Windows . When we select this option when connecting, it means that we are entering a network that we trust. Normally it is a private home network, in which only users that we know will be connected, generally our family and other devices of ours. It is therefore a safe, trustworthy environment, where we do not expect to find any security problem or risk.
We can say that we must check this option when we have control over that network. We know who can connect and therefore there are no problems with our team being visible to others. Be careful, this does not mean that anyone can access it. A network, even the one in our house, could be insecure if we do not have it protected or we have configured something wrongly.
By selecting private network we are not improving security itself. In other words, this does not mean that when browsing the Internet we run less risk of downloading malware or that our computer is attacked by a Trojan. For this, it will be necessary to improve security through antivirus and other tools.
We must always protect our network. You have to configure it correctly, use security programs as we have mentioned, but also create passwords that are strong and complex. It is the main security barrier to prevent any intruder from accessing our equipment.
Public network
The alternative we found is the public network . In this case we must select this option when we are connecting to a network in which we do not trust or have full control. For example a public Wi-Fi in a shopping center, hotel, etc. These networks, as we know, can be a problem for our security. Hence, we assign this option in the operating system and prevent our equipment from being displayed.
Keep in mind that when connecting to a public network we do not have control of the devices that are connected. We do not know if there may be an intruder with the aim of stealing information and compromising the network. Therefore, the best option when Windows asks us is to indicate that it is a public network.
In this way our team will not be visible to others. We will maintain privacy. Of course, as we mentioned before, our security will not be safe from possible attacks or malware downloads simply by checking this option. We would need to take additional measures to protect ourselves.
Likewise, when connecting to this type of network we must exercise extreme caution. It is important not to make security mistakes. For example, it is advisable not to log in or make payments. In any case, we can always use a VPN to encrypt the information we send and thus preserve our privacy.
How to switch from public to private network in Windows
We have explained what a public or private network is and why we must choose one or the other option when Windows 10 asks us for it. Now we are going to see what we can do to change from public to private network, or vice versa. It is a simple process and you simply have to follow a series of steps.
The first thing we have to do is go to Start, go to Settings , go to Network and Internet , select Wi-Fi or Etherent and select the one that corresponds. In this way, a new window will open with some parameters that we can configure, among which is going from public to private network or vice versa.
Specifically, we will see the Network Profile section. There, the option that corresponds to the network to which we have connected will be marked. We will see the Public and Private options. We simply have to mark the one that interests us.
In each of the options it shows us a brief description. We will see that in the public network option the equipment will remain hidden from other network devices, while in the private option the equipment is recognizable and would be for trusted environments. By following the steps that we have explained, we can easily change from one to another when we are interested.
Ultimately, as we see there are differences between a public and private network in Windows 10. We can easily switch from one to the other in case we have wrongly configured that network and thus not have privacy problems when connecting. We may even trust a network at one point, but later it seems insecure and we prefer that our system does not share information and does not show our equipment to others who may be connected. At all times we must maintain privacy and that personal information is not leaked and thus not have problems.