I have set up a shared folder on my network but i was wondering is there anyway to only allow certain LAN IPs to access it (or perhaps restrict certain LAN IPs). i have had a go at editting the permission sections but with no success. Thanks

Take a look at IPSEC in windows. I've never used it so I don't know how good it is. Other than that, restrictions are done by group policies.

thanks for your help but that seems far too much more effort that its worth. i have noticed another possibility, if i try to add a group, under examples of objects there is one that says Domain1\User1. is that the same as 'workgroup name/computer name'? if so does that mean i could just enter a profile for each user? thanks

the ones you want to have access to, create an identical account, same username and password... and give access to that user.. or if you are using win xp pro... enter the user and password one time and select the checkbox to remember it... (turn off simple file sharing) p