Networks Home network with server. Security tips?

Right now I've got a wireless network at home, where everything is running off the wireless connection. (2 laptops + 1 desktop)

The desktop now acts as a server, as my laptop is faster than it and more portable. By server, I mean I can print to the USB printers attached to it, and I keep all my main files on it, such as downloads, source code, photos, etc.

Right now I'm using plain old windows file sharing. But you know, WEP encryption is only so strong, and I'm still a bit worried that someone can somehow connect and grab/modify/whatever files on the server.

I hope to soon beef up the server with a wired connection (as soon as I get permission to knock a hole in the apartment wall), add a striped raid array, and some more RAM. With more space, more power, and more important information being stored on it, I really want it to be safe from prying eyes. Any tips on how to do this?

I wouldn't even mind "logging in" to my home network, as long as I didn't have to install some bloaty client software on my laptops. I'm not opposed to running linux on it, as it truly is little more than a file/print server, but I'd have to be sure it really did serve files and printers easily. (and I have a CD printer attached to it that has very particular drivers that probably aren't readily available on linux, I just don't know if I could still use the laptop's windows drivers and just pass it straight to the printers via the network....)

So, tips, ideas, suggestions?

What's the ideal home networks setup with a server? (I run a small business at home, and will be storing financial records, client files, etc. on this as well)

 

If the server will be connected by wireless, then I'd go for a VPN through the wireless to be sure. I'm about to have a go at setting this up myself, should be fun!

 

change security to wpa with a decent passphrase to ensure a good wpa key is generated. Then i would just recommend turning on passwords and username logins for the sahres in windows (provided you are running xp or 2k) should be safe enough then.

 

cool, so I guess turning on username logins/passwords is all I have left so far. And I'll go read up on VPN's too.

Any tips on how to set up username and passwords on it?

 

errr for setting up usernames and passwords i think's its in the properties for when you set up the share. If memory serves me there is a tab that says something like users or permissions etc and then in there you can set up the usernames and passwords and then what they can do on the share ie read/write read/only etc.

Tbh i wouldn't bother with a vpn if it is just for sharing files, if you have set up wpa, username/passwords on the shares etc you should be pretty safe.