Strengthening Security on Windows Server 2016 with a PDF Viewer for Windows Server 2016

Windows file servers, by default, require SMB authentication, making them vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. This is because unauthenticated logons disable features like SMB signing and SMB encryption. Additionally, Lanman Workstation enables insecure guest logons, which network-attached storage (NAS) devices acting as file servers often use.

In a Windows Server 2016 environment, it's essential to be mindful of local accounts used for connections to remote servers, such as C$ shares. Local accounts are high-risk when configured with the same password on multiple servers. Recently, we experienced an issue where scanning to a shared folder didn't work due to the printer's support only for SMBv1.

To address this concern, it's crucial to apply User Account Control (UAC) restrictions to local accounts on network logons. Microsoft recommends enabling UAC restrictions to prevent access issues. It's also vital to ensure that all devices on your network support SMBv2 or higher before disabling SMBv1. This is because older devices may not be compatible with newer protocols.

The correct setting for the client driver is Enabled: Disable driver. Be cautious when configuring this option, as setting it to Disabled can cause system issues. Disabling SMBv1 entirely is recommended due to its significant vulnerability compared to SMBv2 and SMBv3, which are much more secure. SMBv1 is approximately 30 years old and lacks the advanced security features of newer protocols.

By configuring these settings correctly, you can strengthen security on your Windows Server 2016 environment with a PDF viewer for Windows Server 2016. This will help prevent potential security risks associated with SMB authentication and ensure the integrity of your file servers.

Pdf viewer for windows server 2016