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Disable insecure ciphers

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 5 scripts
  • No subcategories
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category improves network security by disabling outdated and less secure cipher suites.

Cipher suites are sets of cryptographic algorithms used to secure network connections 1. They include ciphers, known as bulk encryption algorithms 1 or simply bulk ciphers 2. Ciphers encrypt messages exchanged between clients and servers 1. Using outdated cipher suites exposes data to risks of interception and tampering during transmission 2.

Disabling insecure ciphers meets security standards set by NIST 3, CIS 4, IRS 5, OWASP 6 and Germany's Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) 7. This enhances data confidentiality and integrity 4. It also protects against threats such as attackers exploiting cryptographic weaknesses, malicious insiders, state actors, and cybercriminals 8.

Caution

This may cause compatibility issues with older devices or software.

Safe for General Use
This script has Normal protection level option. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Everyday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable insecure ciphers" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 6 instructions
  1. 1

    Choose protection

    Choose one of the options with different impact levels:

    • Normal

      Some safe changes minimal system impact.

    • High

      Some potentially impactful changes with moderate system impact.
  2. 2

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  3. 3

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  4. 4

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  5. 5

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  6. 6

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable insecure ciphers" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable insecure ciphers
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.

    Applying Normal to limit the impact.

  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 5 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Disable insecure "RC2" ciphers

This script disables RC2 ciphers. This script only affects the SSL/TLS handshake process. The SSL/TLS handshake is a key part of establishing a secure connection over the internet. By disabling this weak algorithm, the script improves the security of the connection. Authorities like Microsoft, NIST (FIPS), CIS, Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), OWASP, and NSA (National Security Agency) classify this algorithm as weak and recommend against its use. By disabling RC2, the script en...

Disable insecure "RC4" ciphers

This script disables the RC4 ciphers. This script only affects the SSL/TLS handshake process. The SSL/TLS handshake is a key part of establishing a secure connection over the internet. By disabling this weak algorithm, the script improves the security of the connection. Authorities like Microsoft, NIST (FIPS), CIS, Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), OWASP, and NSA (National Security Agency) classify this algorithm as weak and recommend against its use. This script disables these ...

Disable insecure "DES" cipher

This script disables the "DES 56/56" cipher, also known as DES 56 or 56-bit DES. This script only affects the SSL/TLS handshake process. The SSL/TLS handshake is a key part of establishing a secure connection over the internet. By disabling this weak algorithm, the script improves the security of the connection. Authorities like Microsoft, NIST (FIPS), CIS, Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), OWASP, and NSA (National Security Agency) consider this cipher weak and either discou...

Disable insecure "Triple DES" cipher

This script disables the "Triple DES 168" ("Triple DES 168/168" before Windows Vista) cipher, also known as 3DES, The Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (TDEA) and TDES. This script only affects the SSL/TLS handshake process. The SSL/TLS handshake is a key part of establishing a secure connection over the internet. By disabling this weak algorithm, the script improves the security of the connection. Authorities like Apple, NIST Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), NSA (Nation...

Disable insecure "NULL" cipher

This script disables the "NULL" cipher. This script only affects the SSL/TLS handshake process. The SSL/TLS handshake is a key part of establishing a secure connection over the internet. By disabling this weak algorithm, the script improves the security of the connection. This algorithm provides no encryption, leaving data completely unprotected. Authorities like Microsoft, NIST (FIPS), CIS, and Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), NSA (National Security Agency) classify this algor...

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Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable insecure connections 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable insecure hashes
Disable insecure protocols
Disable insecure renegotiation
Disable insecure connections from .NET apps

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process