NetBIOS (Network Basic Input/Output System) is a legacy protocol that allows computers on a network to share resources and communicate with each other. While it can be useful in some situations, it is also known to cause security vulnerabilities and can be a potential risk for your network. Disabling NetBIOS is a simple way to protect your network and increase security. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to disable NetBIOS on a Windows machine.
Step 1: Open the Control Panel
Click on the Start menu and type "Control Panel" in the search box. Click on the Control Panel app that appears in the results to open it.
Step 2: Navigate to Network and Sharing Center
In the Control Panel, select "Network and Sharing Center."
Step 3: Choose "Change adapter settings"
From the Network and Sharing Center, choose "Change adapter settings" on the left side of the window.
Step 4: Select your network adapter
You will see a list of network adapters installed on your machine. Right-click on the adapter you want to configure and select "Properties" from the context menu.
Step 5: Disable NetBIOS
In the adapter properties window, scroll down and select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and then click on the "Properties" button.
Step 6: Advanced TCP/IP Settings
Click on the "Advanced" button in the TCP/IP properties window.
Step 7: WINS tab
In the Advanced TCP/IP settings window, select the "WINS" tab.
Step 8: Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
Under the NetBIOS setting section, select "Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP" and click "OK" to save the changes.
Step 9: Verify changes
To confirm that NetBIOS has been disabled, open a command prompt and type "nbtstat -a" followed by the IP address of another device on the network. If you receive an error message, it means that NetBIOS has been successfully disabled.
Disabling NetBIOS is a simple but effective way to increase the security of your network. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily turn off NetBIOS and protect your network from potential security vulnerabilities.
