Network Access Protection or NAP is a security technology of Windows that enforces the defined system health policies. Network administrators can use this technology to protect network connections by requiring client computers to have the necessary software and settings. This offers a layer of security that protects the network from the computers that may not be healthy or may have vulnerabilities. This article provides a guide on how to turn on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1 operating system.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before proceeding with the methods of turning on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1, you must check for the following prerequisites:
- A Windows 8.1 computer
- Administrator Access to the Windows 8.1 computer
- A configured health policy on a Network Policy Server (NPS)
What Requires Your Focus?
Turning on Network Access Protection requires that you focus on the following aspects:
- Understanding the prerequisites of Network Access Protection
- Holding administrator access to the Windows 8.1 computer
- Enabling the required services in Windows 8.1
- Configuring Network Access Protection settings in Windows 8.1
Different Methods to Turn on Network Access Protection
Here are different methods for turning on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1:
Method 1: Via Windows Services
You can turn on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1 by enabling the required Windows services. Here are the steps to do it:
- Press the Windows + R keys to open a Run dialog box. In the Run dialog box, type "services.msc" and press Enter or click OK.
- In the Services Window, scroll down and locate the following three services:
- Network Access Protection Agent
- Health Key and Certificate Management
- Network Access Protection Enforcement Client
- For each service, right-click on it and click on Properties.
- For each service, set the Startup type to "Automatic".
- Click on the "Apply" button, then click on the "Start" button if the service is not running.
- Close the Services Window and reboot your computer.
Pros:
- Simple and straightforward method
- No need for advanced technical knowledge
Cons:
- Requires a reboot
- May not work in some cases
Method 2: Via Group Policy Editor
You can also turn on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1 by using the Group Policy Editor. Here are the steps to do it:
- Press the Windows + R keys to open a Run dialog box. In the Run dialog box, type "gpedit.msc" and press Enter or click OK.
- In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Security Center > Network Access Protection.
- Double-click on the "Prohibit connection to non-domain networks when connected to domain authenticated network" policy.
- Enable the policy and click on the "Apply" button.
- Close the Group Policy Editor and reboot your computer.
Pros:
- No need for manual enablement of services
- Group Policy Editor provides centralized management of policies
Cons:
- Requires advanced technical knowledge of Group Policy Editor
- May conflict with other group policies
Method 3: Via Command Prompt
You can also turn on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1 by using Command Prompt. Here are the steps to do it:
- Press the Windows + X keys to open the Quick Link menu.
- Click on "Command Prompt (Admin)" from the list.
- In the Command Prompt, type "netsh nap client set enforcement ID = 6" command and hit Enter.
- Close the Command Prompt and reboot your computer.
Pros:
- No need for manual enablement of services
- Command Prompt provides automation of tasks
Cons:
- Requires advanced technical knowledge of Command Prompt
- May not work in some cases
Why Can’t I Turn on Network Access Protection?
Here are some reasons why you may not be able to turn on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1:
- The required Windows services may not be started.
- The health policy on the Network Policy Server (NPS) may be misconfigured.
- Your computer may not be able to reach the NPS for health policy validation.
Here are some fixes for the above-mentioned reasons:
- Check the services and start them if they are not already running.
- Check the health policy on the NPS and ensure it is correctly configured.
- Ensure your computer can reach the NPS by checking the network connectivity.
Implications and Recommendations
Turning on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1 provides an extra layer of security to your network connections. It ensures that users with unhealthy or vulnerable computers are not allowed to connect to the network, thereby reducing the risk of security threats. We recommend that Network Administrators enable and enforce Network Access Protection policies on their Windows 8.1 computers for better cybersecurity.
5 FAQs about Network Access Protection
Q: What is Network Access Protection?
A: Network Access Protection (NAP) is a security technology of Windows that enforces the defined system health policies.
Q: How does Network Access Protection work?
A: Network Access Protection works by enforcing system health policies on client computers before allowing them to connect to the network.
Q: Why would I want to use Network Access Protection?
A: You would want to use Network Access Protection to protect your network from unhealthy or vulnerable computers that may pose a security risk.
Q: Can I customize the Network Access Protection according to my needs?
A: Yes, you can customize the Network Access Protection by defining the system health policies according to your needs.
Q: Is Network Access Protection only available on Windows 8.1?
A: No, Network Access Protection is available on other versions of Windows operating systems as well.
In Conclusion
Turning on Network Access Protection on Windows 8.1 is an important step in securing your network connections. There are different methods to turn on Network Access Protection, but you must ensure that you follow the prerequisites and take necessary precautions before proceeding. Network Access Protection offers an extra layer of security to your network, and we recommend that Network Administrators enable and enforce the Network Access Protection policies on their Windows 8.1 computers.
