Computer names are nothing to be concerned about, especially in a home network environment. They're just a way to distinguish between machines.

My own network is all based around Doctor Who (TARDIS, Dalek, Sonic Screwdriver, etc). If you're connected to someone's network, then yes they can see your computer's name. Not really something to be worried about in most cases.

In this case, you can override the default. There's nothing to be concerned about with someone knowing your computer's SMB name.

More important with Windows networking is to ensure that you don't have shared folders with no password before you go to a place like Starbucks.

I'm a bit rusty on the technology (too many years in management). I'm sure someone will correct me if I've made any errors.

Computers capable of using and creating CIFS file shares (Windows, Linux and, I believe, Macs) create broadcast network ("NETBIOS") packets that contain the computer name. On a conventional office or home network, every computer "sees" every other computer's name broadcasts since it's very common to share resources and there's no real need to hide them from each other.

If the Wifi hotspot has a feature called "wireless isolation" enabled, though, these systems shouldn't be visible to other computers on the network; this feature effectively isolates each computer from any others connected. However, software exists that allows a wifi-enabled computer to capture wireless traffic regardless of the hotspot's isolation setting and therefore glean the names of the computers from their broadcasts. Generally speaking it's only nosy geeks using that software, but it's important to remember that nosy geeks aren't as rare as they used to be. They can easily see any unencrypted traffic to and from your computer. And looking at the encrypted stuff has gotten a lot easier, at least with some encryption methods.

Aren't you glad you asked?

On Windows 7 (or Vista) this is one of the reasons for the "is this network Home/Work/Public" when you connect to a new network. The first two enable firewall settings that allow those to go out and come back; the "public" setting blocks them. When in doubt, always pick "public." For those still on XP, while the Service Pack 3 firewall improvements help, it's probably still best to run a 3rd-party firewall program that blocks all of that stuff.

Linux CIFS file sharing will depend on your configuration, but most people running desktop/laptop Linux installations are likely to have the "incoming shares" service (Samba - actually in two parts, one for name management [nmbd] and one for actual file sharing [smbd]) turned off, and only the client part enabled. This will mostly be invisible on the network until you actually try to connect to someone else' system (although some other helper programs within the Gnome or KDE desktop environment may do lookups.)

No idea on Macs, but I assume it must have something equivalent to "public network" firewall settings.

The other issue with all three OSes is that machine names (etc) and personal names are now used for other broadcasty protocols to find each other's machines (see, for example, how different copies of iTunes or Windows Media Player find "____'s music library" and most OSes can now find network printers nearby) ... there is an alphabet soup of related but not fully identical or compatible protocols involved (UPnP, DLNA, Bonjour, SLP, mDNS, etc)... all of which will, in general, be blocked by "public" firewall settings under

Unique names for each PC are necessary. But easily recognizable names are important for daily operations, so that each user can determine which PC they are accessing over the network. Even if there are only 2 PCs on a home network, it's important to be able to easily tell which PC is which so that shared files or resources can be accessed.

I enjoy hearing these various imaginative naming schemes. Makes me feel less weird that I've put some thought into my own PC names over the years.

My desktop PC is called The Beast, because it's a home built monster. It used to have a custom case that I built for it out of a printer table, but these days it's in a store bought Smilodon case, so the name is still fitting.

Owing to my screen name, my laptops have all had names that play off of "WillCAD."

My first laptop was an IBM ThinkPad. I called it WillPAD.

My next laptop was a Compaq Presario. I called it WillPAQ.

My current laptop is a Gateway Tablet PC. I call it WillTAB.

My home network is called WillNET.

This page

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

from Gibson Research (the people behind spin write for those who remember it)

will check your system and tell you what it's saying about you (including if you are broadcasting your netbios name or not)

Unless you used your social security number as your computer name, I really don't think there's much risk in people knowing you call your computer red notebook or whatever though.

The user name for my Lenovo X201 is call MacBook

My alma mater used the following:

- fruits (for the arts & sciences servers) [lime, papaya, mango, cherry, etc.]
- hotel chains (for the engineering servers) [I remember ritz, hilton, and motel6.]

I can't remember the other departments.

I use Norse gods: My laptop is Huginn (thought), my external backup is Muninn (memory). I've also got Idunn and Fenrir for other devices.

Alternatively, I've had a couple incarnations of "Shodan".

Every laptop I've ever owned (Windows and, more recently, Linux) has been called "albatross", because of the assonance with my first name (Alistair), and because they wander the globe.

Here at work, one of my projects uses names from the Potterverse (hufflepuff, etc). Another uses TV robot names (twiki, rosy, bender). A third uses imaginary animals (phoenix, griffin).

At home right now we use metals (aluminum, titanium, magnesium). I wouldn't give a new computer the same name as its predecessor because I've got a full backup of every computer I've had on my RAID, and I want to be able to tell them apart.

Here at home my personal computers have been named more by whimsy than following any specific mythology, TV/book/film series or celestial theme. I've gone through the following:

Bobo
Stinky
Stanky
Skanky
Spanky
Leviathan

I'm most proud of the name I gave the firewall at a previous employer, back in the 90s:

Sphincter

I love those robot names. You can also use Data, Ruk, Robby, Norman, and of course, Mechagodzilla.

It never ceases to amaze me about how much useful help can be derived from these forums.

I'm currently using six of the seven deadly sins as computer names and was dwelling over what to name #8 when it becomes necessary to expand... Thanks to Flyertalkers they'll be: Avarice, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Sloth, Wrath and....spanky

I have a computer I should name Sloth. :)