Securing Connections with SSL

SSL provides a secure, encrypted connection between Microsoft NNTP Service and the client computer. SSL can protect your private information when users connect across a public network such as the Internet.

SSL support requires an SSL certificate installed on the computer running Windows NT Server and client software that supports SSL. Microsoft® Internet Mail and News supports SSL.

If a server certificate is installed, Microsoft NNTP Service uses SSL whenever a client requests it. You can optionally require SSL for all newsgroups or for newsgroups located in a virtual directory. You can also use SSL authentication of clients.

To enable SSL:

Obtain and install an SSL server certificate. (For information on how to do this, see IIS Security in the IIS online documentation.)

To require an SSL connection for access to newsgroups located in the home directory:

In either Internet Service Manager or Internet Service Manager (HTML), select the Home Directory property sheet.
Choose Edit.
Select the Require Secure Channel check box.

To require an SSL connection for access to newsgroups located in a virtual directory:

In either Internet Service Manager or Internet Service Manager (HTML), select Directories in the left pane, and then select the virtual directory in the right pane.
From the Action menu, choose Properties.
Choose Edit, and then select the Require Secure Channel check box.

To enable SSL authentication for clients:

In either Internet Service Manager or Internet Service Manager (HTML), select the Directory Security property sheet.
Choose Edit, and then select the Enable SSL Client Authentication check box.