Can people on the same wireless network view the files of other computers...?

Question

even if it requires a password? And how can I keep network discovery off because it keeps switching to on.

Answer 1

No one can view your files on a wireless network unless you allowed certain folders to be viewed on your network (also reffered to as "sharing folders").  To check which folders/printers are being shared on your network, go to My computer, click View (on the top bar), then go to the "go to" option almost at the bottom of the dropdown menu and click "My Network Places".  This will bring you to a window where all your shared files/folders/printers etc. are displayed.  If you want to share a certain folder on your network, right click on, say, My Documents (or another folder, I'll use this as an example), and click properties.  Then click the Sharing tab.  This is where you can configure your folders for your network.

Okay, that was question #1.  I'm not quite sure how to answer #2, because I don't know what model of router you're using.  I have a D-Link, so I'll use that as an example.  Open a browser, and in the URL bar type in "http://192.168.0.1/".  This will bring you to a login screen.  If you didn't change the password/username, the default username is "admin" and there's no password.  On the left side of the screen there will be an option that sais "Wireless settings".  Click on that, and you'll be brought to a page where you can set whether you want to enable hidden wireless or not.  I don't know how it works with other routers, but it's probably very similar.  Just start with typing "http://192.168.0.1/" in your URL bar and play around a little from there.  I hope this helped.  Good luck!

Answer 2

If you are using a router to gain access to your network your router has a security program that can block other people from gaining access to your network via an adapter.  They would have to have the password that you set.