How to Enable SMB Signing in Windows 98

ID: Q230545

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows 98

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

This article describes how to enable Server Message Block (SMB) signing in Windows 98.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

Windows 98 includes an updated version of the SMB authentication protocol. Note that using SMB signing slows down performance when it is enabled. This setting should be used only when network security is a concern. The performance decrease usually averages between 10-15 percent. SMB signing requires that every packet is signed for and every packet must be verified.

To configure SMB signing in Windows 98, locate the following key in the registry with Registry Editor (Regedit.exe):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\VNetsup

Add the following two values to the key listed above:

Value Name: EnableSecuritySignature
Data Type: REG_DWORD
Data: 0 (disable), 1 (enable)
The default is 1 (enable)

Name: RequireSecuritySignature
Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0 (disable), 1 (enable)
The default is 0 (disable)

After you add these values, quit Registry Editor and then restart Windows 98.

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbenv kbnetwork win98
Version : WINDOWS:
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto