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V-213463

CAT II (Medium)

Microsoft Defender AV must be configured to prevent user and apps from accessing dangerous websites.

Rule ID

SV-213463r961092_rule

STIG

Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R8

CCIs

CCI-001170

Discussion

Enable Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard network protection to prevent employees from using any application to access dangerous domains that may host phishing scams, exploit-hosting sites, and other malicious content on the internet.

Check Content

This setting is applicable starting with v1709 of Windows 10, it is NA for prior versions.

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Network Protection >> "Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites" is set to "Enabled” and "Block" is selected in the drop-down box.

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: 
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection

Criteria: If the value "EnableNetworkProtection" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Windows Defender Exploit Guard >> Network Protection >> "Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites" to "Enabled" and select "Block" in the drop-down box.