Because Windows NT does not easily allow multiple users on a single machine and remote access similar as Unix, it becomes harder for the intruder to break into Windows NT, install a backdoor, and launch an attack from it. As Windows NT advances in multi-user technologies, this may give a higher frequency of intruders who use Windows NT to their advantage. And if this does happen, many of the concepts from Unix backdoors can be ported to Windows NT and administrators can be ready for the intruder. As backdoor technology advances, it becomes even harder for administrators to determine if an intruder has gotten in or if they have been successfully locked out. Assessment One of the first steps in being proactive is to assess how vulnerable your network is, thus being able to figure out what holes exist that should be fixed.
Many commercial tools exist to help scan and audit the network and systems for vulnerabilities.
Many companies could dramatically improve their security if they only installed the security patches made freely available by their vendors. MD5 Baselines One necessary component of a system scanner is MD5 checksum baselines. This MD5 baseline should be built up before a hacker attack with clean systems. Once a hacker is in and has installed backdoors, trying to create a baseline after the fact could incorporate the backdoors into the baseline. Several companies had been hacked and had backdoors installed on their systems for many months.