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

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-77979	WNDF-AV-000039	SV-92675r1_rule		Medium

Description
Enable Windows 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.

STIG	Date
MS Windows Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide	2019-12-12

Details

Check Text ( C-77589r1_chk )
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 -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Windows Defender Exploit Guard -> Network Protection -> "Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites" is set to "Enabled” and “Block" 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.

Check Text ( C-77589r1_chk )

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 -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Windows Defender Exploit Guard -> Network Protection -> "Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites" is set to "Enabled” and “Block" 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 (F-84691r1_fix)
Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows 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.