Networking / Beginners

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Local security mechanisms for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me

If there is one failing in Windows 95-, Windows 98-, and Windows Mebased clients, it is their local security. Windows clients have no file system security, which means that the files you save on your system can be accessed by anyone who uses your computer. There are third-party products designed to either hide folders and files or password-protect them, but as with all third-party products, they cost extra.

Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me clients also do not provide a mechanism to prevent tampering with systems and application settings. Perhaps even more significantly, anyone can use a Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me system without providing a username and password.

The lack of a local security mechanism makes Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me clients an unsuitable operating system for many network environments and for particular categories of users on a network. If local security is required, an operating system such as Windows NT or 2000 should be used.

Authentication for Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me

Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows Me clients require a usernameand- password combination in order for users to log on to the network and access network resources. The system is then authenticated by the server that is being used. Authentication is a function of the server operating system rather than the local workstation.