Verify Net Security: TCP/IP


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Tutorial Home >Hardware >Networking >Troubleshooting Peer Networks >How to Do a General Checkup >Verify Net Security: TCP/IP

  Step 1:  Find Your Net Protocol

Open a Report
The following sequence should be performed in order to verify security between the Internet and your local network, if your LAN uses TCP/IP as its protocol for Microsoft Networking. If you do not know whether your LAN uses TCP/IP, IPX/SPX, or NetBEUI for Microsoft Networking, refer to our tutorial "Determining your network type." If you find security measures in this sequence that are not present on your computer, refer to our tutorial, "LANs and the Internet" to secure your system.
  Step 2:  Verify Internet Zone

Open a Report
From the Control Panel, launch Internet or Internet Options. Click on the Security tab, and verify that the setting for the Internet Zone is at least "medium" in order to protect your computer from potentially damaging Internet content. Click Cancel to dismiss the Internet options window.
  Step 3:  Verify IP Address

Open a Report
From the Control Panel, launch Network. Click on the IP address tab, and look to see if it is configured with an IP address, or configured to get one automatically. If it is configured with an IP address, it is important to make sure it is a non-routable address. There are many possible combinations of non-routable numbers, meaning local TCP/IP traffic cannot be routed to the Internet, but a good rule is to make sure there is a zero in at least one of the four number slots.
  Step 4:  Look at Bindings

Open a Report
For computers that need to be configured to obtain a LAN IP address automatically, some people prefer to separate NetBIOS, the engine for printer and file sharing, off the TCP/IP protocol and run NetBIOS functions over IPX/SPX or NetBEUI instead. Click on the Bindings tab and you'll see one of the connections between NetBIOS and TCP/IP. If it is ever decided to isolate NetBIOS from TCP/IP, these bindings will have to be removed.
  Step 5:  Look at NetBIOS Setting

Open a Report
Click on the NetBIOS tab and you'll see the other connection between NetBIOS and TCP/IP. Since you are using TCP/IP for Windows Networking, and the Bindings are in place, this option is checked and grayed. If it is ever decided to isolate NetBIOS from TCP/IP on the LAN, then first the bindings will be removed that tie Windows Networking to the LAN TCP/IP protocol, then this box should become unchecked and ungrayed. Click Cancel, then Cancel again, to dismiss the Network panels.