Configure identity authentication and data encryption settings

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 7

You can use this procedure to configure the security settings of a network connection.

Changing the security settings for your network connections can increase the protection provided to your computer and the data going through the network connection to your computer. Use the strongest security settings that both your local computer and the host to which you are connecting can support. Check with the administrator of the remote network host to determine the settings that are supported by that computer.

Any user account can be used to complete this procedure.

To configure identity authentication and data encryption settings

1. Open the Network Connections folder and view available connections.

2. Right-click the network connection that you want to configure, and then click Properties.

3. On the Security tab, do one of the following:

   • To select preconfigured combinations of identity authentication methods and data encryption requirements, click Typical (recommended settings), and then in Validate my identity as follows, click a method to use for validation.

     Depending on your Validate my identity as follows selection, you can select (enable) or clear (disable) the Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any) or Require data encryption (disconnect if none) check boxes. If Require data encryption (disconnect if none) is not enabled, encryption is optional.

     The following tables shows which selections are available.

     Security settings for dial-up and broadband (PPPoE) connections

     Validate my identity as follows	Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any)	Require data encryption (disconnect if none)
     Allow unsecured password	Unavailable	Unavailable
     Require secured password	Available	Available
     Use smart card	Unavailable	Available

     Security settings for VPN connections

     Validate my identity as follows	Automatically use my Windows logon name and password (and domain if any)	Require data encryption (disconnect if none)
     Require secured password	Available	Available (enabled by default)
     Use smart card	Unavailable	Available (enabled by default)

   • To individually enable, configure, and disable authentication methods and encryption requirements, click Advanced (custom settings), and then click Settings.

   • To prevent encryption, in Data encryption, click No encryption allowed (server will disconnect if it requires encryption).

See Also

Concepts

Enable smart card or other certificate authentication
Configuring Terminal and Scripting Options