In this appendix: |
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Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 offers a set of security technologies that can help reduce the attack surface of Windows Server systems and ease the administrative tasks associated with configuring server security. Windows XP SP2 introduced many of these technologies. Others are specific to the Windows Server family of operating systems. The implementation of a particular feature on the server operating system might differ from the implementation on the desktop operating system.
The security technologies provide enhancements in the following areas:
Management, security, and performance
File, print, and collaboration services
Internet, application, and networking services
With the combined enhancements to these technologies, it is more difficult to attack systems running Windows Server 2003—even if the latest updates are not applied.
This appendix focuses primarily changes in Windows Server 2003 SP1 that affect Group Policy. It doesn’t cover changes that update the registry but don’t affect Group Policy (although those values might be included in a Group Policy through custom administrative templates or security templates, as discussed in Chapter 14 and Chapter 15).
Related Information
For information on all of the changes included in Windows Server 2003 SP1, see "Changes to Functionality in Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1," which can be obtained from the Microsoft Download Center at http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=C3C26254-8CE3-46E2-B1B6-3659B92B2CDE&displaylang=en.
To download the reference spreadsheet, "Group Policy Settings Reference for .adm Files and Security Settings Included with Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2," from the Microsoft Download Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=15165.