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Windows Security Documentation

This article provides information about the Windows security system and the restrictions that you can use to limit functionality.

Original Author: John M. Hall

Code

Windows Security
Documentation
color=#000000>Written by John Hall

style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt" face=Arial color=#000000>Documentation
Notes



  • Improvements - Originally, I released this documentation in a
    format that was a little odd/wild, so, as requested, I've cleaned it up and
    added more notes about using it. Hopefully this new organization and these
    notes will help you better understand how to use this information and its
    limitations. I, however, have not added any additional information to this
    documentation because of the limited amount of security information that is
    redily available for the newer operating systems.
  • Known Limitations - This information does have some limitations of
    use. Those are mentioned below:

    • Operating Systems - This information will most likely not
      work with Microsoft Windows XP or Millennium Edition. It's not been tested,
      so I don't recommend trying it. It's known that a lot of this doesn't work
      with Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 and below, so I also don't recommend its
      application there. If you do decide to try to use it, remember, I'm not
      responsible for your actions and you are doing this on your own accord.
    • Setting Overrides - Some settings, none that are noted, have been
      known to override other settings on certain operating systems. This is most
      likely because Microsoft didn't spend the required amount of time making the
      Windows 98 security system(probably the most vulnerable to this problem) a
      high-performance or very reliable work. If you find that some of these
      settings have "holes" or something and it bothers you, I suggest you switch
      to a more securified operating system in the Windows class, such as
      Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional or greater.

  • Special Information - I've reviewed the comments that were posted
    on the original copy of this documentation and this section is here to answer
    some of the questions that I noticed.

    • Disabling these Settings - To disable any of the settings that
      are shown in this documentation, simply reverse your process. Just delete
      anything that you added to lock or disable a feature or you can make the
      value the inverse. If it's a DWORD value, make it "00000000" instead of
      "00000001", or a string value "yes" instead of "no" or vice versa.
    • Blocking Internet Applications - To disable an application's
      internet access, I suggest you download any free firewall available. A
      firewall will monitor what information is sent and recieved to your computer
      through any network connection and filter it according to rules. The most
      popular, free firewall that is available is onmouseover="self.status=title;return 0"
      title="Click here to view the ZoneAlarm free edition homepage"
      onmouseout="self.status='';return 0"
      href="http://www.zonealarm.com/products/za/freedownload2.html"
      target=_zonelabs>ZoneAlarm      , by ZoneLabs, Inc. It's actually the
      most secure when it comes to application internet access prevention.
    • Reversing Application Lock - As far as I know, there's not a way
      to reverse the application locking method. You might want to experiment with
      it by making a seperate user account on your computer and applying the
      settings to that user only. Basically, that's what I did throughout the
      period that I wrote this documentation and it doesn't harm any of your stuff
      and it helps you uncover the truth. Don't afraid to be creative with this
      information, just remember my disclaimer about it from
      above.


Windows System
Security Settings
color=#000000>All the information that is included in this section affects the
main Windows system. These alter actual system functions and/or settings that it
uses to display certain items.



  • Disable Wallpaper Change

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesActiveDesktop color=#c00000>NoChangingWallPaper
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable All Active Desktop Changes

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoActiveDesktopChanges
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable All Desktop Icons

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoDesktop
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Active Desktop

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoActiveDesktop
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable HTML Wallpaper

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesActiveDesktop color=#c00000>NoHTMLWallPaper
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Closing Active Desktop Components

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesActiveDesktop color=#c00000>NoClosingComponents
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Deleting Active Desktop Components

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesActiveDesktop color=#c00000>NoDeletingComponents
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Editing Active Desktop Components

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesActiveDesktop color=#c00000>NoEditingComponents
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Adding Active Desktop Components

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesActiveDesktop color=#c00000>NoAddingComponents
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Desktop Internet Icon

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoInternetIcon
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Desktop Network Neighborhood Icon

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoNetHood
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Disk Drive Autorun

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoDriveTypeAutoRun
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0xb5000000)


  • Disable Environment Appearance Properties Access

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoDispAppearancePage
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Desktop Background Properties Access

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoDispBackgroundPage
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Display Icon from Control Panel

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoDispCPL
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Screen Saver Properties Access

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>NoDispScrSavPage
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable All But Selected Applications from Running

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer color=#c00000>RestrictRun
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)

    • Special Notes - For this setting to work, you will need to make a
      list of programs that you want to allow to run. You can do this by creating
      a Key inside the Explorer Key and calling it RestrictRun and adding string
      values as demonstrated below:

      • String Value
        Name "1"
        Value "mspaint.exe"
        color=#008000>This will allow any program named mspaint.exe to run on the
        system

      • String Value
        Name "2"
        Value "iexplore.exe"
        color=#008000>This will allow any program named iexplore.exe to run on the
        system


  • Disable Registry Editing Tools

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesSystem color=#c00000>DisableRegistryTools
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Start Menu Shut Down Command

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoClose
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Start Menu Log Off Command

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoLogoff
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Start Menu Find Command

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoFind
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Start Menu Documents Menu

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoRecentDocsMenu
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Start Menu Favorites Menu

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoFavoritesMenu
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Settings Menu Folder Options

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoFolderOptions
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Desktop Update

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoDesktopUpdate
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Settings Menu Active Desktop Settings

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoSetActiveDesktop
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Settings Menu Folder Settings

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoSetFolders
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Settings Menu Taskbar Settings

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoSetTaskbar
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Saving Changed Settings

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoSaveSettings
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Right-Click on the Taskbar

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoTrayContextMenu
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Right-Click on the Desktop

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPolicies color=#c00000>NoViewContextMenu
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Microsoft Office Tune Up
    This
    only applies to Microsoft Office 2000

    • Location
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftOffice9.0CommonTuneUp color=#c00000>Disabled
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable AutoComplete in Explorer

    • Location
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerAutoComplete color=#c00000>Use
    • Data Type
      String (set value of
      "no")



Internet
Explorer System Settings
color=#000000>All the information that is included in this section affects the
operation of Internet Explorer. Please note that these only affect
Internet Explorer's operation and will not work with any other browsers that may
be installed on your computer.



  • Disable Closing Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoBrowserClose
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Right-Click in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoBrowserContextMenu
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Options in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoBrowserOptions
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Saving Pages in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoBrowserSaveAs
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Favorites in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoFavorites
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable File Menu New Object in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoFileNew
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable File Menu Open Object in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoFileOpen
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Finding Files in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoFindFiles
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Opening Files in New Window from Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoOpenInNewWnd
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Selectable Download Directory in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoSelectDownloadDir
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Viewing in Theater Mode in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoTheaterMode
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Viewing Source in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerRestrictionsNoViewSource
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Adding Channels in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerInfodeliveryRestrictions color=#c00000>NoAddingChannels
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Adding Subscriptions in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerInfodeliveryRestrictions color=#c00000>NoAddingSubscriptions
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Removing Channels in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerInfodeliveryRestrictions color=#c00000>NoRemovingChannels
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Removing Subscriptions in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerInfodeliveryRestrictions color=#c00000>NoRemovingSubscriptions
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Search Customization in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerInfodeliveryRestrictions color=#c00000>NoSearchCustomization
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Running the Connection Wizard

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerControl PanelRestrictionsConnwiz Admin
      Lock
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Importing or Exporting Favorites in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerDisableImportExportFavorites
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Using the Microsoft Script Debugger in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainDisable Script Debugger
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "yes")


  • Disable Using AutoComplete Forms in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainUse FormSuggest
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "no")


  • Disable Using AutoComplete Passwords in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainFormSuggest Passwords
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "no")


  • Disable Using Download Notification in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainNotifyDownloadComplete
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "no")


  • Disable Error Notification in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainErr Dlg Displayed On Every Error
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "no")


  • Disable Go Button in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainShowGoButton
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "no")


  • Disable Using a Custom Search Page in Web Browser

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainUse Custom Search URL
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000000)


  • Disable Custom Title for Web Browser Windows

    • Location
      HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      ExplorerMainWindow Title
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "custom title
      text")


  • Disable Installation of ISP Distribution Kit for Internet
    Explorer
    This only applies to Internet
    Explorer 5.0 and up

    • Location
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftInternet
      Connection WizardCanInstallISPKit5
    • Data Type
      String (set value of
      "no")



Windows Media
Player System Settings
color=#000000>All the information that is included in this section affects the
operation of Windows Media Player and components. Please note that these
only affect Windows Media Player's operation and will not work with any
other players that may be installed on your computer.



  • Disable Finding New Stations in Media Player

    • Location
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsMediaPlayer color=#c00000>NoFindNewStations
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Media Favorites from Media Player

    • Location
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsMediaPlayer color=#c00000>NoMediaFavorites
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Radio Bar for Media Player

    • Location
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsMediaPlayer color=#c00000>NoRadioBar
    • Data Type
      DWORD (set value of 0x00000001)


  • Disable Media Player Upgrade Message

    • Location
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftMediaPlayerPlayerUpgrade color=#c00000>AskMeAgain
    • Data Type
      String (set value of "no")

 

About this post

Posted: 2002-06-01
By: ArchiveBot
Viewed: 140 times

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