XCLN: Security Settings in Outlook Clients

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For Outlook 97, versions 8.0 through 8.02, you will have a check box called "Use Network Security During Logon." In Outlook 97, version 8.03, and in Outlook 98, you will have a Logon Network Security dialog box with the following three choices in the dropdown menu:

• NT Password Authentication
• Distributed Password Authentication
• None.

These settings can be changed according to whether you wish to be prompted for a password authentication dialog box or use the cached credentials to log onto the mailbox.

If you choose NT Password Authentication, on opening, Outlook will use the cached credentials that you have used when logging onto the workstation for Windows NT domain access.

If you choose Distributed Password Authentication, on opening, Outlook will use password authentication to access an LDAP server such as Microsoft Commercial Internet System (MCIS) Membership Server.

If you choose None, on opening, Outlook will prompt you with a dialog box for you to enter Windows NT domain credentials to access your mailbox. This dialog box may be used when you are working off-line and connecting via dial-up. The domain logon is usually bypassed or cancelled in this situation, and once the dial-up network connection is made, you must enter credentials to allow authentication and a connection to your Exchange Server mailbox.

None of the above settings should be used for security purposes to guard against unauthorized access to your mailbox. Because it is an easy matter for another user to change the settings in the Microsoft Exchange Server Properties dialog, you should always log out of the workstation or lock the workstation to prevent unauthorized access when away from your computer. This will be the most effective deterrent to unauthorized access to your mailbox.