Moving files between two PC's (Un-networked), the best way?

[iamgenius]

Hi,

Let's say if I can explain this properly. In one of our work environments, there is a need to very frequently move files between two computers while each is connected to a different network (Or you can say one is a standalone computer). In usual cases, one would setup a shared drive between the two computers after joining them into the same network. We don't want to do this, why? Let's say one is a production network and one is a public network and we don't want to expose the production network. So, other than using a flash drive to continuously move files between the two computers, which can get very impractical, what would be a more efficient way from a networking perspective? Actually linking the two networks and setting a firewall between them maybe going too far I think. I don't know, maybe there is a way I don't know about. You know, flash drives are the best when it comes to spreading viruses/malware.

Thanks.

 

[Rifter]

If you dont want to setup a proper network with a firewall then a USB drive is your best bet. Either that or use a cloud share online.

 

[mxnerd]

If you want to share files between 2 PCs, firewall (without built-in antivirus/antimalware) won't help you defending virus/malware, it's the job of antivirus/malware software.

If it's one way from production to public, then you can setup a FTP or HTTP file server (HFS http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/ is a very easy & good one) on the public PC, then upload files from production to public PC.

==

Also like others have suggested, cloud shares like Google Drive or Microsoft One Drive will be good options. They are virus / malware protected.

 

[mdram]

maybe a cloud drive that each can access, or as was said ftp site

 

[mv2devnull]

we don't want to expose the production network

The suggested "cloud" is on the public network, into which the production were not supposed to reach.

I would say three networks: production, data, and public.
One computer on production and data. Another on public and data.
Neither routes (no traffic is possible between data and other networks).
Public computer shares files over the data network (has the disk).
Production computer is a client to the share (can authenticate to the less trusted machine).

 

[PliotronX]

Filezilla server. I can get that up and rolling in 30 seconds. I often use it for scan to network because a lot of copiers don't seem to function well with SMB whereas FTP always works.

 

[iamgenius]

The suggested "cloud" is on the public network, into which the production were not supposed to reach.

I would say three networks: production, data, and public.
One computer on production and data. Another on public and data.
Neither routes (no traffic is possible between data and other networks).
Public computer shares files over the data network (has the disk).
Production computer is a client to the share (can authenticate to the less trusted machine).

Right, production should not reach the public. Cloud solutions are a no go here. I will explore this three network idea.

 

[iamgenius]

Filezilla server. I can get that up and rolling in 30 seconds. I often use it for scan to network because a lot of copiers don't seem to function well with SMB whereas FTP always works.

Never used filezilla before. So this will not expose the production network to the internet? Can you please expand a little on how to do this? I will be grateful.

 

[mxnerd]

Define "exposed to the internet", define moving files(is it one way or two ways?) between 2 PCs.

As long as PCs are networked, they are always at risk. No matter what kind of protocol or method (FTP, HTTP, SMB, email,) Moving/copying files between PCs using USB/MicroSD are also at risk. A completely safe computer is an unplugged one that stays in a closet.

Any computer behind NAT router is at risk if it's able to visit external websites. Because visiting any website on the internet is an act of downloading files from those websites. Yep, web pages are just a collection of different type of files, when you are viewing web pages, you basically are downloading files. And virus/malware can be downloaded at the same time if the website is affected or trick you to download some virus/malware.

And take a look of posts here.

https://ask.slashdot.org/story/17/0...-to-isolate-a-network-and-allow-data-transfer

==
FileZilla Server / Client. https://filezilla-project.org/

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fileilla+ftp+server+client

==
If you are serious about preventing workers visiting external websites, then you do need a firewall and create rules and restrict what websites they can visit. That can reduce a lot of risk.

But remember, creating and maintaining rules is not an easy job.

 

[JackMDS]

FileZilla consists of two Apps.

https://filezilla-project.org/download.php

1. Server (on your cases it should be install on the Production computer.

This was written few years ago the principle is they same, but the current version is more secure than an older versions.
https://www.howtogeek.com/140352/how-to-host-an-ftp-server-on-windows-with-filezilla/

https://www.trustzone.com/filezilla-ssl-certificate-installation-guide

2. FileZilla Client *there is install client or portable) should be installed ot used on any computer that you want to allow connecting to the Production FileZilla server.

https://www.webnots.com/filezilla-guide-for-beginners/

 

[sdifox]

Teamviewer does allow file transfer between connections but for work env it ain't cheap. Setting up a lan ftp site and make sure you setup proper acl.