Security in windows XP?

Question

currently we are using windows xp in our office. we are using in a network. two of our users is using windows 98. 98 users is getting our shared drives. we have to ban that. but xp users need to access 98. how to protect this. one of our colleague suggest to go for 2000 prof. give me some ideas. is there folder security avail at 2000 prof.

thanks in advance

Answer 1

first of all, get rid of Windows 98 as quickly as possible. You have no security to speak of with that system.

Second, Windows 2000 professional will provide much stronger protection, including directory protection, as a replacement for 98.

Why don't you just install a server with Windows 2000/2003 server on it, install all your files there, create a domain and share things from the server? You can make things much more secure, and still give everyone individual security.

if you're cheap, you can get an old box, install Linux as a server, use Samba to set up  Windows compatible shares. all free, but beyond the room on this page.

Get rid of Windows 98. Now.

Answer 2

As stated above, your best solution is to set up a server and move all important files to the server.

From there you can implement security policy's that will work. Trying to implement security from individual machines is a waste of time. There will always be holes.

My only disagreement in the previous answer is that you should consider Linux first. It's stable, powerful and every bit as capable as the MS software. Linux and Samba are much more tolerant of mixed environments and allow a lot of tweaking and customizing to let it fit in with a variety of systems. with MS, you do it their way or no way.

I have run Linux/Samba servers for years and find them far better than the MS version. Besides, the price is right.

Answer 3

Switching to 2000 pro will help but only if you use the ntfs file system. You will have to use NTFS on XP as well I imagine it is currently FAT32 because 98 can read the drives. NTFS has many more security features

Answer 4

you can apply folder level permission on windows xp,

that will protect you xp ,there are many ways,you can even control it through group policy,,,,,,,,,,i wll have to write atleast 3 pages more to explain all................plzzz get tutorial or refer encyclopedia how to set up those

www.wikipedia.com

Answer 5

You're welcome !

Answer 6

I don't think changing the operating system will help, I just don't think in windows there's a way to do one way sharing, and I know sharing between vista and xp is just as impossible, you might look around for a freeware program that could do it