Windows 7 / Networking

Authentication

Authentication is used to prove a user's identity. In general, there are three factors of authentication:

Something you know: This can be implemented with domain user accounts that have specific user names and passwords. As long as users know their user name and password, they are able to use these credentials for authentication.

Something you have: Smart cards are being used more and more today. A smart card is a credit card-sized card that can be inserted into a reader (often as part of the keyboard). Users insert the card and usually enter a personal identification number (PIN) for authentication. Within a domain, the smart card is associated with a domain user account.

Something you are: Biometrics can be used to prove a user's identity. Fingerprint readers can be found on more and more mobile computers today. Once configured, a user authenticates with their finger on the fingerprint reader. Other biometric methods include retinal scanners and hand scanners.

Note Multifactor authentication involves using more than one authentication factor For example, a smart card is considered something you have, whereas a PIN or password is something you know, so when a smart card is used with a PIN, it is considered multifactor authentication.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Managing Windows 7 in a Domain
  2. The Domain
  3. What is Wrong with Workgroups
  4. The Domain Concept
  5. Active Directory
  6. Domain Security
  7. Joining a Domain
  8. Windows 7 Offline Domain Join
  9. Browsing the Domain
  10. Searching the Domain
  11. Custom Searches
  12. Assigning Permissions to Domain Members
  13. The Double-Thick Security Trick
  14. Creating a Test Bed
  15. Creating a Domain
  16. Installing Windows Server 2008 on vPC
  17. Configuring a Windows Server 2008 Server
  18. Promoting a Server to a Domain Controller
  19. Joining Windows 7 to a Domain
  20. Authentication vs Authorization
  21. Authentication
  22. Authorization
  23. Built-in Groups
  24. Organizing Users with Groups
  25. Group Scope and Group Type
  26. Creating Users and Groups in a Domain
  27. Using HomeGroup with a Domain-Based Computer
  28. Identifying and Resolving Logon Issues
  29. Hardware vs. Network
  30. Using Cached Credentials
  31. Password Expiration
  32. Determining Logon Context
  33. Logon Hours Compliance
  34. Restricting Computer Access
  35. Time Synchronization
  36. Understanding User Profiles
  37. Standard Profiles
  38. Roaming Profiles
  39. Implementing Roaming Profiles
  40. Mandatory Profiles
  41. Super-Mandatory User Profiles
  42. Modifying the Default User Profile
  43. Configuring Settings with Scripts
  44. Anti-Malware Software
  45. Microsoft Windows 7 Defender
  46. Third-Party Anti-malware Software