As of Windows 2000, what is the default requirement for passwords on a Samba server?

The default requirement for passwords on a Samba server, as of Windows 2000, is that passwords are encrypted. Samba implements encryption for passwords to enhance security and protect users' credentials against unauthorized access. This means that when users authenticate against a Samba server, their clear-text passwords are transformed into a secure encrypted format before being transmitted over the network or stored. This practice aligns with security standards and helps to prevent potential interception of sensitive information.

While other options touch on various aspects of password management, they do not accurately reflect the default behavior of Samba concerning password encryption. For example, the length of passwords, the requirement for a mix of characters, and the frequency of changes are not necessarily enforced by Samba in the same way as password encryption is, which remains a fundamental aspect of its security model.