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By default Windows
will install several Protocols/Services/Clients for any
network/internet connection created, though for most users
these aren’t required and can make your system more
vulnerable, e.g. NetBIOS and File and Printer Sharing. This
can be resolved easily enough, steps to do so being as
follows:
Windows 9x/Me
Click on Start,
Settings, Control Panel and open the
Network applet.
Select Client for
Microsoft Networks and hit Remove.
3. Disable File
and Printer Sharing if not
greyed
out and is not required. Certainly set a password for all
shared drives if you must have them.
4. Select TCP/IP,
then the Properties button and select the NetBIOS
tab. Unpick I want to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
Now select the
DNS
Configuration tab and
select
Disable DNS
(Unless specifically required).
In the
WINS
Configuration tab, select
Disable WINS
resolution.
Click Ok twice
and restart your PC as required.
Windows 2000/XP
1. Click on
Start, Control Panel, and then Network
Connections. Right click on your Internet
connection and select Properties, then the
Networking tab.
Select and
Uninstall (Or at least Unpick) File and
Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks and Client for
Microsoft Networks if not required for your system.
Select Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) then the Properties button,
then the Advanced button.
Now select the
WINS tab and Unpick Enable LMHOSTS Lookup
and Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
Now click on Start,
Control Panel, Administrative Tools then
Services. Scroll down to and double click TCP/IP
NetBIOS Helper (This enables support for NetBIOS over
TCP/IP (NetBT) service and NetBIOS name resolution). For
improved security it would be best not to use NetBIOS and as
a result you should set this to Disabled.
Close the Services
utility and Network Connections and restart your PC
as required for the changes to take effect.
Windows XP includes
an additional Simple File Sharing feature to make
sharing folders in a network/workgroup easier, too easy
though, this removes ACL (Access Control List)
restrictions for shared folders/drives and as such anyone
can access anything. For more secure folder sharing it would
be wise to disable this feature. Click on Start,
Control Panel, then Folder Options. Now select
the View tab, scroll down and Unpick Use
simple file sharing. Now select Apply.
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