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Hi pma111.<br />
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Let me guess: you have no clue what it is used for? Please read <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnet" rel="ugc">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnet</a>&nbsp;, it has a section &quot;security&quot;.
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Hi pma111.

Let me guess: you have no clue what it is used for? Please read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnet [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnet] , it has a section "security".

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That was kind of why I asked the question :-(<br />
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I still don't really see that as much of a risk though based on this link you've provided, if the only risk is of eavesdropping which would be unlikely from internal users - who would therefore get fired for such activity.
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That was kind of why I asked the question :-(

I still don't really see that as much of a risk though based on this link you've provided, if the only risk is of eavesdropping which would be unlikely from internal users - who would therefore get fired for such activity.

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Good point. Has it got a long history of exploits/vulnerabilities? Or about the same as most windows services, FTP etc.
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Good point. Has it got a long history of exploits/vulnerabilities? Or about the same as most windows services, FTP etc.

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You care for its history? I wouldn't. Is it needed or not - if yes, and there is no alternative, then use it, if there is one, take the alternative, because experts, like you could read at wikip., encourage people to discontinue using it.
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You care for its history? I wouldn't. Is it needed or not - if yes, and there is no alternative, then use it, if there is one, take the alternative, because experts, like you could read at wikip., encourage people to discontinue using it.

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Can you provide some reasons why a server may need telnet service running? Are there any genuine examples why an admin would need the telnet service running?<br />
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And secondly I have heard its a security issue - but cant really understand why? Does it make your server and data more prone to unauthorised access ? If so how and why? If its an internal server in your private network what's the actual risk?
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Can you provide some reasons why a server may need telnet service running? Are there any genuine examples why an admin would need the telnet service running?

And secondly I have heard its a security issue - but cant really understand why? Does it make your server and data more prone to unauthorised access ? If so how and why? If its an internal server in your private network what's the actual risk?

telnet running on windows server

The Microsoft Server topic includes all of the legacy versions of the operating system, including the Windows NT 3.1, NT 3.5, NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 and Windows Home Server versions.

Microsoft Server OS

Operating system security (OS security) is the process of ensuring OS integrity, confidentiality and availability. OS security refers to specified steps or measures used to protect the OS from threats, viruses, worms, malware or remote hacker intrusions. OS security encompasses all preventive-control techniques, which safeguard any computer assets capable of being stolen, edited or deleted if OS security is compromised, including authentication, passwords and threats to systems and programs.

OS Security

The Windows operating systems have distinct methodologies for designing and implementing networks, and have specific systems to accomplish various networking processes, such as Exchange for email, Sharepoint for shared files and programs, and IIS for delivery of web pages. Microsoft also produces server technologies for networked database use, security and virtualization.