Desktop Security Settings

Windows 2000

Summary:
  1.  Password-Protect All Accounts on your Computer
  2.  Disable the Windows XP Guest Account
  3.  Disable Unnecessary System Services
  4.  Reset Internet Explorer Security Settings to default
  5.  Disable File and Print Sharing

Password-Protect All Accounts on your Computer

How to choose a Strong Password

Change your Account password:

    1.  After logging on, press the CTRL + ALT + DEL keys together. 
    2.  Click the Change Password button in the dialog box that appears. 
    3.  Type your old password and the new password twice, as indicated. 
    4.  After completing this successfully, use this new password every time you logon to your computer.

Change the Administrator Account password and check for any other accounts:

  Faculty/Staff:  If your department has computer support personnel (CITAs), 
                please check with them first before completing this step.
		  
    1.  Go to the Start menu and choose Settings and then Control Panel. 
    2.  Double-click the Users & Groups icon.
    3.  Highlight the username Administrator in the white box and click Set Password. 
    4.  You may need to verify the old password and supply a new password (twice) for the Administrator account. 
    5.  Repeat this step for any other accounts on your computer.

Disable the Windows 2000 Guest Account

This prevents users without an account on your computer from logging in remotely or locally.

    1.  Go to the Start menu and choose Control Panel
        (or Settings-Control Panel if the Classic Start Menu is used).
    2.  Select User Accounts. 
    3.  If the Guest Account is turned on, select Guest Account.
    4.  Select Turn off the Guest Account.
    5.  Exit out of User Accounts.

Disable Unnecessary Services in Windows 2000

  Faculty/Staff:  Make sure you do not need any of these services before disabling them.
      Contact the Help Center, or if your department has computer support personnel (CITAs),
      please check with them first before completing this step.
	  
   1.  Right-click this link and select 'Save Link Target as...' and save the file to your desktop.
   2.  Double click DisableServices.bat to execute. 
   3.  Hit any key to continue as prompted. 
   4.  The window will close automatically. 
   5.  Restart the computer.

Reset Internet Explorer Security Settings to the Default configuration

    1.  Open the Internet Explorer browser.
    2.  Go to Tools-Internet Options.  
    3.  Click on the Security tab.
    4.  Click on the Internet Zone icon to highlight it.  Click on the Default Level button if it is not grayed out.
    5.  Repeat this step for Local Intranet, Trusted Sites and Restricted Zones.
    6.  Click on the Advanced Tab and click Restore Defaults.
    7.  Click OK to close the window.

Disable File and Print Sharing

  Faculty/Staff:  Make sure you do not need these services before disabling them. 
    Contact the Help Center, or if your department has computer support personnel (CITAs), 
    please check with them first before completing this step.
		
    1.  Open the Network Control Panel.
    2.  Choose the "Local Area Connection" - Right-click on it and select "Properties".
    3.  Uncheck the box next to "File and Print Sharing for Microsoft Networks" to disable this service.

Security & The Internet News & Alerts Reporting Incidents Using the UD Network UD Security Tool Chest
UD Security Home IT Help Center UD Home