Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.1

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer 2.1 (Beta 2)

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/..._1/default.mspx

Although this security analyzer tool is mostly meant for IT professionals, it can also help experienced users find weaknesses on their system. I ran this new beta version today, and it found four completely unnecessary services running on my system:

• FTP Publishing
  
• Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
  
• Telnet
  
• World Wide Web Publishing
  

I do not run an FTP server, SMTP server, Telnet server, nor a WWW server on this computer, so running these services is a complete waste of resources, as well as an unnecessary security risk. I have now stopped and disabled these services.

So, running an MBSA scan on your system may also help you discover security risks, as well as unnecessarily used resources.

[AlanHo]

I guess my problem would be not knowing all the acronyms and whether they are relevant to my set-up.

Using your example - I use the computer for browsing and www is an oft used part of a URL. Does this mean that in my case I would leave World Wide Publishing well alone.

Similarly - smtp is used in the send Email set-up in Outlook. Same question.

Is there a beginners guide for all this stuff...?

[andsome]

I guess my problem would be not knowing all the acronyms and whether they are relevant to my set-up.

Using your example - I use the computer for browsing and www is an oft used part of a URL. Does this mean that in my case I would leave World Wide Publishing well alone.

Similarly - smtp is used in the send Email set-up in Outlook. Same question.

Is there a beginners guide for all this stuff...?

Exactly what occured to me.

[Irene]

I guess my problem would be not knowing all the acronyms and whether they are relevant to my set-up.

Using your example - I use the computer for browsing and www is an oft used part of a URL. Does this mean that in my case I would leave World Wide Publishing well alone.

Similarly - smtp is used in the send Email set-up in Outlook. Same question.

Is there a beginners guide for all this stuff...?

My sentiments entirely Alan.

There are times when I feel quite inadequate!

[andsome]

I guess my problem would be not knowing all the acronyms and whether they are relevant to my set-up.

Using your example - I use the computer for browsing and www is an oft used part of a URL. Does this mean that in my case I would leave World Wide Publishing well alone.

Similarly - smtp is used in the send Email set-up in Outlook. Same question.

Is there a beginners guide for all this stuff...?

My sentiments entirely Alan.

There are times when I feel quite inadequate!

You look perfectly adequate to me. :D :D :D

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Is there a beginners guide for all this stuff...?

I am sure there is, but I don't know where...? Maybe someone should write one.

But talking about specifically these Windows services; if you open the Services Manager and single-click on any specific service, it will give you a short description of it on the left. Examples:

• FTP Publishing
  Provides FTP connectivity and administration through the Internet Information Services snap-in
  
• Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
  Transports electronic mail across the network
  
• Telnet
  Enables a remote user to log on to this computer and run programs, and supports various TCP/IP Telnet clients, including UNIX-based and Windows-based computers. If this service is stopped, remote user access to programs might be unavailable. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start.
  
• World Wide Web Publishing
  Provides Web connectivity and administration through the Internet Information Services snap-in
  

The meaning of these above services is that if your computer acts as an FTP, SMTP, Telnet, or WWW server, then you will need it. If you use Outlook or Outlook Express on your computer, you don't need the SMTP service - this is done on your ISP's mail server. To browse the Internet, you will use the WWW servers of the sites you access; you don't need it on your computer, unless you host a website on your computer.

All these services are usually for server type machines, not workstations. So it's pretty safe to stop and disable these services.

B.t.w. to access the Services Manger: Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Computer Management | Services and Applications | Services.

[andsome]

Things are running so well at present, I hadn't better meddle. :D

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Things are running so well at present, I hadn't better meddle. :D

You have no sense for adventure! :0

[Irene]

Is there a beginners guide for all this stuff...?

I am sure there is, but I don't know where...? Maybe someone should write one.

Thanks Pat, I might just take a look later.

I like 'breaking' new ground. :D

[Irene]

It looks to be for Windows 2000 SP4 / Vista. Would that be correct Pat?

If so, I am running on XP Home, therefore would not be appropriate.

[andsome]

Things are running so well at present, I hadn't better meddle. :D

You have no sense for adventure! :0

True. :lol:

[AlanHo]

Pat

I feel a bit cheated. I followed your control panel routing and opened the list of services - only to find the four you listed are not shown - so presumably are not loaded and thus do not give me the pleasure of splatting them.

I use Vista Ultimate - perhaps it is intelligent enough to only load the things I actually need and it recognised I do not use the computer as a server.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

It looks to be for Windows 2000 SP4 / Vista. Would that be correct Pat?

If so, I am running on XP Home, therefore would not be appropriate.

It says "Windows 2000 SP4 through Windows Vista", which includes all version of Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server.

Pat

I feel a bit cheated. I followed your control panel routing and opened the list of services - only to find the four you listed are not shown - so presumably are not loaded and thus do not give me the pleasure of splatting them.

I use Vista Ultimate - perhaps it is intelligent enough to only load the things I actually need and it recognised I do not use the computer as a server.

Looks like Vista may be a bit more sophisticated than XP.