Enabling SMB1 on Windows 10 can indeed pose security risks since it's an outdated protocol, but if it's necessary for accessing your older devices, there are some precautions you can take to minimize those risks.
First, you can enable SMB1 temporarily. Go to "Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off," and check "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support." After accessing your devices, consider disabling it again by reversing these steps.
For a safer setup, isolate the devices that require SMB1 on a separate network segment or VLAN if your network equipment supports it. This way, potential vulnerabilities won't affect your entire network. Additionally, ensure all devices, including your Windows machine, have the latest security updates and a robust firewall configuration.
If possible, look into alternative access methods specific to your devices that might not need SMB1. Sometimes, using FTP or HTTP interfaces can replace the need for SMB altogether if the devices support these protocols.
Remember, the goal is to keep SMB1 enabled only when necessary and isolate it as much as possible to protect your network from potential exploits.
