| Server Message Block (SMB) is a protocol natively supported by all versions of Windows. Although nominally a file-sharing 
protocol, it is used for other purposes as well, the most important of which is disseminating group policy information from 
domain controllers to newly logged on systems. Beginning with Windows 2000, it is possible to improve the integrity of SMB 
sessions by digitally signing all packets in a session. Windows 2000 and Windows XP can be configured to always sign, never 
sign, or sign only if the other party requires it.  |