Skip to main content

Disable insecure ciphers

Apply Now
Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Impact: MinimumSystem Functionality 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
  • 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This category improves network security by disabling outdated and less secure cipher suites.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 Using outdated cipher suites exposes data to risks of interception and tampering during transmission 2.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 — Functional Privacy​

  • 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 scripts minimal system impact.

    • High​

      Some advanced scripts with high system impact.

    Learn more about protection levels

  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:This script already includes these options.
You can review, apply or reverse each option individually.
Click any option to learn more about what it does.

  • 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 establishi...

  • 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 establ...

  • 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. ...

  • 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...

  • 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 esta...

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.
These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
This category includes scripts designed to enhance users' security and privacy by disabling outdated or vulnerable connections across the system. It safe...

— Disable insecure connections

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
    • Audited and verified using automated security tests

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
    • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential 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