NSA Windows XP Security Guide Addendum

Short Description
Windows XP Service Pack 2 not originally addressed in NSA’s guide, … NSA’s original Windows XP guide recommended many changes to file and registry …

Website: www.nsa.gov | Filesize: 49kb

Content
1
Report Number: I743-009R-2006
NSA Windows XP
Security Guide Addendum
Operational Network Vulnerability Office
National Security Agency
9800 Savage Rd. Suite 6704
Ft. Meade, MD 20755-6704
XPGuides@nsa.gov
Updated: Sept. 12, 2006
Version: 1.02
Background
As part of a change in our development strategy for security guidance, the National
Security Agency is no longer maintaining and updating security guides for Windows
XP Professional beyond what was produced as a cooperative effort between the
vendor and the security community. The “Specialized Security - Limited
Functionality” (SSLF) security settings in Microsoft’s “Windows XP Security Guide”
track closely with the security level historically represented in the NSA guidelines. It is
our belief that this guide establishes the latest best practices for securing the product
and recommend that traditional customers of our security recommendations use the
Microsoft guide when securing Windows XP.
Users of NSA’s original guide, “Guide to Securing Windows XP,” will notice
differences in security recommendations as compared to those in the Microsoft
guide. Microsoft’s Windows XP guide includes new security features available in
Windows XP Service Pack 2 not originally addressed in NSA’s guide, such as the
Windows Firewall. Furthermore, NSA has worked with the vendor in assessing threat
and operational constraints in addition to security issues in order to reach agreement
on security recommendation guidelines. If original NSA guidelines are currently
being used and are working within the environment,…