Windows 10: Connecting computer with no internet connection to network printer

I have 3 computers that are connected to internet and are also connected to network printer. I have another computer that has financial data. In order to prevent any copying, I want to turnoff internet and block all USB ports on this 4th computer but still want to allow user to print on the network printer.
Printer has only one port for installing Ethernet connection and I do not require wireless printing for any of my computer.

Thanks in advance for your help

:)

 

wireless printer

Have you downloaded and installed the latest Windows 10 driver?

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software12/COL345...

Step 1: Prepare for installation

Before setting up the printer on your wireless network, gather the network name and password, and turn on your router, printer, and computer.

Gather the following items:

Network name: The network name is the SSID.

Security passphrase (WEP key or WPA)

A computer that is connected to the wireless network

Internet access (recommended): HP recommends broadband Internet access such as cable or DSL.

note:

Internet access is not required for you to install your printer with a wireless connection. However, you do need Internet access to use Web Services, get printer updates, and to download drivers from the HP website.

Your wireless-capable printer: Place it close to the computer during the installation procedure.

Make sure the printer, router, and computer are all turned on, and that the computer is connected to the same wireless network you want to connect the printer to.

Disconnect the USB cable if it is connected to the printer.

Optional: If you previously installed the software for a USB connection and now want to change to a wireless network connection, remove the USB installation before you continue.

Search Windows for your printer model name, then click the printer name in the list of results.

The printer software opens.

Click Utilities, then click Printer Setup & Software Selection.

Click Convert a USB connected printer to wireless or Connect a new printer depending on your version of Windows.

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the connection. Once the printer has been set up on the wireless network, there is no need to continue with the steps in this document.

Step 2: Connect your wireless printer to a wireless network

Connect your printer to your wireless network using the following steps.

Search Windows for your printer model name, then click the printer name in the list of results.

The printer software opens.

Click Utilities, then click Printer Setup & Software Selection.

If you previously installed the software for a USB connection and now want to change to a wireless network connection, remove the USB installation before you continue

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the connection. Once the printer has been set up on the wireless network, there is no need to continue with the steps in this document.

Step 3: Download and install the printer software

 

Windows 10 not connect to wifi automatically when an ethernet connection is present

So I have two network connection:

- one wired to fiber internet.

- The other one is a wifi connection to my back up internet and my network printer.

Naturally I want to connect to my fiber internet and network printer all the time. However, after restarting the computer my wifi connection would not automatically connect although I have set to automatically connect. So whenever I want to print something,
I have to either:

- Manually connect to the wifi network

- Disable ethernet connection and then wifi would connect itself automatically.

This is so frustrating, how can I set up for windows to connect to my wifi network automatically?

 

Options: Move the financial computer closer to the printer and connect the printer manually through a USB port / disconnect this computer from the network by removing the Ethernet cable and disable any wireless adapters.

Option: By a separate stand alone printer for the financial computer.

Option: Block all internet connectivity using the Windows firewall, but allow printing to the network printer.

Things to consider...hope it helps.

 

Thanks, there is no USB port on the printer. Can I connect all computers by network cable and printer to a network switch, that is not connected to internet

 

Yes you can. BUT, if any of these computers are connected to the internet at the same time, then there is always the possibility that someone could connect to your financial computer through the network.

Truly the only safe way to prevent accidental access is to make it a stand alone computer with its on printer. Printers are cheap these days...just saying. Anyway, let us know what you decide to do.

 

I would think if the 3 computers are assigned a different workgroup name and Subnet number than the Financial Data Computer, that it is unlikely it can be accessed via one of the other computers from the Internet but buying another printer and using USB and having no Ethernet connection to the outside world ( also known as an AirGap ) is the safest way to go especially if you are not a Network Expert, and you have highly valuable Data to protect.

 

If you plan on blocking all access to one computer, it would be easier to just not hook up the Ethernet cable to it. If there is no access to that workstation, there is no way that it will be able to print to a network printer.

Also if the USB slots and case are accesiable, information can still be retrieved from the drive.

 

any computer can still be accessed with portable tools or even using the proper commands. There is nothing safe if you are using a home network that is not a managed system using VLAN's.

 

Nothing is 100% safe , given time and expertise, someone could do it, which is why I suggested if the OP isn't an expert to go with a USB connected printer and no Ethernet if the Information is highly valuable. Physically restricting access is alot harder of course , though newer MB's allow for turning off of USB ports now.

 

Exactly. That is why in some types of setups, you have to go through a locked door, a smart key or RFID to log into the workstation, then another login id to get into the data that you need to look at, then print to a printer attached to the computer.

The biggest issue that you run into on these kind of setups is that there are no regular backups of the data and the OS is not regularly updated.

If it is in a home setting, it is just easier to keep the data on a pocket drive and lock it up into a fire safe, than going through all of this hassle.

If I really have data that I want no one to get to, there is always double encryption if I really got a bur. The disable of the USB ports has been around since the Intel Core 2 Duo boards came around.

 

There are many, many ways of doing this.

One way is using the pc's firewall. Go in to the firewall, advanced settings, in both inbound and outbound rules look for the software you want to block - for example Microsoft Edge. Select properties and change to "block the connection". If there aren't any rules for the application you want to block then create one in both incoming and outgoing using the New Rule selection. In this way you can disable access for Browsers, but leave Update and so on running. There really aren't that many things you need to block.

You could also use a toggle application to switch the internet off ( try Internet Off ) then you can readily switch it back on when you want to allow update. Just place the toggle app in a folder only you know about or can access.

 

I know davefaz. These days there are so many ways to hide info and store it to try to keep from the average user who would not think that you are hiding data inside of data inside of data, like was done with pantings and Fresco's, along with as simple as shaving a slave's head then inking the code on their skin.

I have seen people go as far as using a group of license plates as the Cipher Key.

 

@dk1971

• Open Admin command and type: ipconfig
  
  
  
• Win+X->Control Panel->Netwok and Sharing Center
  Follow the screen shot. This should disable internet access from this PC but allows access to local device(s)
  NOTE: Use the IP & Subnet Mask from step 1. Leave Default gateway & DNS Server blank
  
  
  

 

Hi Topgun , no#3 shows you selected IPV6 , no#5 shows you are in the IPV4 TCPIP properties settings , did you mean you need to do this to both? can you clarify please. Thx.

Alot of people still don't have IPV6 from their ISP , I do , so just wondering.

.