Chapter 17: Configuring Application Security

Overview

The Configuring Application Security objective domain focuses on four aspects of security in Microsoft Windows XP: configuring share and NTFS permissions, applying critical software updates to Windows XP and Microsoft Office, resolving virus issues, and configuring security within applications.

As a desktop support technician (DST), you should understand the difference between Simple File Sharing in Windows XP and the standard file sharing method. You should also understand how share permissions and NTFS permissions combine and interact, and how to configure both. Often, users’ inability to access folders and documents is the result of security applied to those objects.

Microsoft supplies software updates for both the Windows XP operating system and for Office applications. You should understand how to configure Windows XP to download and install critical updates automatically. You should also understand how to obtain Windows XP and Office updates manually.

You must also be aware of the damage that an unchecked virus infection can cause on a user’s computer. You should be able to configure antivirus software and keep it properly updated.

Finally, you should be aware of the security offerings of the various applications in Office. You can configure how each application allows macros to run, as well as configure other document-specific protections.