Windows XP Security - Changes to Services

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One of the easiest ways for crackers to exploit holes in your system is through open services. In addition to the security benefits you get from auditing and closing unused services, you also receive a performance enhancement because stagnant programs aren’t taking up available resources. Besides, a full security audit of your service can reveal some interesting details about your machine. Lately, viruses have been masquerading as services listed in the Task Manager, making them harder to detect, clean, and prevent.

Windows XP comes with only a few services that really require open access to an external interface for normal operation: Terminal Services, or Remote Desktop Connection, and the Remote Access Service for answering dial-in calls.

To manage services on your computer, do the following:

1. Right-click My Computer, and choose Manage.

2. Expand the Services & Applications tab, and select Services.

3. Double-click a service.

4. Under Startup Type select Manual to disable a service from automatically starting upon computer bootup. Click the Stop button to stop the service if it’s already running.

Next: List of Windows XP Services >>
 

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This article is taken from chapter four of the book Hardening Windows, written by Jonathan Hassell (Apress, 2004; ISBN: 1590592662). Check it out at your favorite bookstore. Buy this book now.