Server|window|server|window top Reasons to Install Windows Server 2003 SP1
Reduce your servers attack surface.
Security Configuration Wizard (SCW), one of the new features added to Windows Server 2003 in Service Pack 1 (SP1), uses Intuitive, role-based process to guide administrators through reducing the attack surface. With SCW You can disable unused services easily and quickly, block unnecessary ports, modify registry values, and Configur E audit settings.
Help protect newly installed servers.
In today's security environment there are a continual search for new and potentially exploitable system vulnerabilities. Post-setup Security Updates (PSSU), another the new feature of Windows Server 2003 SP1, blocks all incoming traffic I nstalled servers until the latest patches to Windows Server 2003 are downloaded and applied. PSSU also guides configuration of Automatic when you are on.
Get firewall protection from startup to shutdown.
Windows Firewall, the same core Firewall technology in Windows XP Service Pack 2, are built into Windows Server 2003 SP1. Windows Firewall in Windows Server 2003 SP1 allows granular control over Server and client computers through the use of Gr OUP Policy. Moreover, Windows Firewall provides boot-time protection, lowering the risk of attack just after a server is started D while it's shutting down.
Bolster your defenses with "no execute" hardware support and software.
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a set of hardware and software technologies, performs additional checks on memory T o Help protect against exploitation of the your system by malicious code. Windows Server 2003 SP1 fully utilizes the DEP capabilities built to servers by many manufacturers and further Those capabilities with DEP-software of its own.
Help protect the your system services with stronger default settings and reducing privileges.
Services such as remote Procedure Call (RPC) and DCOM are integral to Windows Server 2003 and make a attractive target fo R hackers. By requiring greater authentication for calls of these services, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 helps establish a mini Mum threshold of security to all applications this use these services, even if they possess little or no inherent securit Y.
Isolate out-of-date Virtual private network (VPN) assets.
VPN quarantine automatically provides means for limiting network access for machines on virtual private networks are not current with regards to security updates. This prevents your from has to write your own ad hoc scripts to affect this facet of sound network.
Monitor and audit Your Internet information Services (IIS) configuration settings.
The metabase is the xml-based, hierarchical store of configuration information for Internet information Services 6.0. The ability to audit this store allows network administrators to you which user accessed the metabase in case it becomes C Orrupted.
Windows Firewall Policy Management
Windows Server 2003 SP1 includes new Group Policies this help IT pros centralize client and Server firewall management cluding application rules, port rules, and firewall logging at the client and server to help improve security in the Enter Prise while maintaining centralized configuration and deployment.
Help Secure Internet Explorer.
Internet Explorer now contains many enhancements to help secure Windows Server 2003. Among them, Internet Explorer more effectively stops downloads to spurious files and prevents Web pages from accessing CAC Hed objects.
Avoid potentially unsafe e-mail.
Windows Server 2003 SP1 includes additional refinements to protect the network. With Outlook Express You can now open mail into plain-text mode, preventing HTML messages from running malicious code. Outlook Express prevents e-mail from downloading external content, stopping a means by which spam senders can validate R e-mail address. Outlook Express also checks e-mail attachments with attachment Manager eliminating the need for your own custom code to D o So.