What is Authentication Authentication is the process whereby the system identifies legitimate users from unauthorized users. It is the process in which a user identifies his/her self to the system. How effective an authentication process is, is determined by the authentication protocols and mechanisms being used. Windows Server 2003 provides a few different authentication types …
An Overview of Access Control Allowing users and computers unlimited access to system resources and network resources can ultimately compromise the security and stability of an organization. Even though users and computers need to access network and system resources to perform certain tasks, the access that they require should be limited to those necessary to …
Domain Controllers Security Issues When it comes to Windows Server Active Directory networks, one of the most important server roles which can be configured is probably the domain controllers role. Domain controllers perform a number of important functions and control activities within a domain, including the following: Contain a replica of the Active Directory directory …
An Overview on the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) A set of components, standards, and protocols make up the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which protects data as it is transmitted over the network. The PKI is an integral aspect of security within a network. Digital certificates form the basis of the PKI because these certificates use …
Microsoft designed the Windows User Account Control and deployed it on the Windows Operating System (OS) in order to prevent unauthorized modifications to critical settings or programs on a computer running the Windows OS. Microsoft deployed User Account Control since Windows XP, and has continued to update the application in newer versions of Windows (such …
Wireless Network Security Threats Wireless networks do not have the inbuilt physical security of wired networks, and are unfortunately more prone to attacks from intruders. Once unauthorized access is gained to the wireless network, the intruder would be able to easily access the resources of the corporate, internal network. To complicate matters, there are numerous …
An Overview of Auditing Auditing enables you to determine which activities are occurring on your system. Through auditing, you can track access to objects, files and folders; as well as any modifications made to the objects, files and folders. Auditing therefore enables you to collect information associated with resource access and usage on your system …
In Windows Vista, there is a difference between accounts with “computer administrator” privileges and the Administrator account. In the Administrator account, the User Account Control is disabled. Also, the Administrator account is present, but hidden and disabled by default. Please be aware that Vista Beta 2 has a bug that may cause big problems, if …
Group Policy Objects (GPOs) containing Group Policy settings can be linked to sites, domains, and organizational units (OUs), so that they are applied to user objects or computer objects located in the particular site, domain, or OU in Active Directory. Because of numerous Group Policy settings that exist, and the flexibility of group policies, Group …
With Windows NT 4.0, came the launch of the System Policy Editor feature which enabled administrators to manage the security settings of the system through a single user interface. The System Policy Editor feature allowed administrators to easily manage configurations of multiple computers because configuration settings could be copied between systems. With the introduction of …