The security built into Windows XP
Professional is quite extensive. Facilities include the ability to create
different logon accounts, with a set of separate private folders allocated to
each user. These folders cannot be accessed or even seen by other users
providing logon passwords are created for each account.
Further, the administrator, or a user with
administrator privileges can assign various attributes to general folders
stored on the computer’s hard disk. The attributes that can be applied to any
folder include Modify, Read and Execute, Read, Write, and List Folder
Contents. Full Control can also be applied, which includes all the above
attributes. These attributes can be either allowed or denied, depending on the
administrator’s requirements.
The attributes are applied to each user by
highlighting the folder concerned within Windows Explorer and right-clicking on
it. Then select the SHARING AND SECURITY option from the resulting drop-down
menu. Finally select the SECURITY tab (see below).
Select a user, and apply the attributes
required by clicking on the appropriate check boxes under either the ALLOW or
DENY columns. Finally, click the APPLY button to assign the attributes to the
folder.
In future, when the user concerned logs on
to the computer, he will be able to see the folder, but will only have the
abilities defined by the administrator.
These notes briefly describe the basic
security. There are more advanced facilities that can be used and applied to
high-level folders with the option of cascading the same attributes to
sub-folders or not. If you require assistance in securing the information on
your computer systems, then call Alan Finch on (01224) 697457.
