* Dr. Internet columnist Steve Blass offers advice on how to use Active Directory from an XP workstation * Help Desk columnist Ron Nutter offers advice on how to protect company network from personal computer use
* Working on Active Directory from an XP workstation
By Steve Blass
Q: In our Active Directory domain, we’d like to manage users and groups from a workstation rather than from the server. How can I get the Active Directory Users and Computers application into my XP workstation Administrative Tools menu?
A: The Active Directory management tools for Windows 2000 or 2003 can be installed on your XP workstation from the AdminPak.MSI installer package on your server operating system installation disk, or you can download the Windows 2003 Service Pack 1 version called WindowsServer2003-KB304718-AdministrationToolsPack.exe from Microsoft. The original release version of AdminPak.exe is also available from Microsoft.
To read Steve’s response in its entirety, please click here.
* Personal computers on company network pose security risk
By Ron Nutter
Q: I head the board of directors for a small nonprofit organization. Our network uses DSL to connect to the internet. I recently found out that one of our employees installed Wi-Fi and uses his personal laptop to connect to the internet. Our tech guy who is a part time employee has no objections. I say this creates an unacceptable security problem. Am I wrong?
A: You definitely have several things to be concerned about. There are issues on several fronts here that need to be addressed. One thing to consider is to put a policy in place that specifies that only computers owned by the nonprofit you work for are allowed to be on the network. This accomplishes several things. It helps minimize the possibility of spyware/viruses being introduced by computers that aren’t protected to the same level that I am going to assume that the computers are on the network. With several articles being in the press lately about stolen laptops containing sensitive information, having a personal computer connecting to the network increases the possibility that data belonging to your organization could leave the building and end up in the hands of individuals that don’t need to have access to the information.
To read Ron’s response in its entirety, please click here.
