Securing Netbios on Windows 98
Microsoft is not known for it’s high security practices. As a result most people who run a Microsoft operating system have the security holes already built in. In this tip I’ll show how to add just a little more security to your Windows 98 setup.
If you are using file and printer sharing or any other service that depends on netbios you shouldn’t use this tip. If you are unsure you certainly shouldn’t bother. This procedure also requires registry editing and renaming of system files. Anytime you venture into the registry you risk rendering your system useless. Before following these instructions be sure you have all important files backed up.
To completely disable netbios in Windows 98, first open the Network Control Panel and make sure that File and Printer Sharing is uninstalled. Next go to C:\Windows\System and rename vnetbios.vxd to vnetbios_vxd. Now open regedit and navigate to the Key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VNETBIOS. Right click on the VNETBIOS key and choose delete. With you must restart to apply the changes. Once you restart if you open a DOS prompt and type netstat -a you shouldn’t see any netbios ports listening (ports 137-139).
Modified 2001-03-12
Post a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.