TCP/IP Remote Utilities

The tools described in this appendix allow a network administrator to manage network computers from a distance. Many are similar to UNIX utilities.

In This Appendix

Finger

Ftp

Rcp

Rexec

Rsh

Telnet

Tftp

Note

All passwords used by Windows networking services are encrypted. However, the Ftp, and Rexec connectivity tools all rely on cleartext password authentication by the remote computer. Cleartext passwords are not encrypted before being sent over the network. This enables another user equipped with a network analyzer on the same network to steal a user's remote account password. For this reason, choose different passwords from those used for Windows 2000–based computers or domains when connecting to non-Microsoft remote computers with the Ftp, Rexec, or Telnet tools. Note that the protocols themselves prohibit encryption; cleartext passwords are not a standard that Microsoft encourages.