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Microsoft Security Essentials (Win7) or Windows Defender (Win10)
If you are using Windows 7 Security Essentials or Windows 10 Defender, you will need to have your anti-virus and anti-malware settings enabled. If you are using a 3rd party product, such as Symantec Endpoint Protection or AVG Anti-Virus protection, you will need to show the auditor equivalent settings that show that the computer is being protected with anti-virus/anti-malware software, the version information for the software and the virus definition files, the scan frequency, and a history showing the scans are being performed.
The administration UI for Windows 10 Defender settings is significantly different than the UI for Windows 7 Security Essentials. As such, the configuration and verification of each of these environments must be documented separately to achieve the same end goals as they relate to Virus Protection and Scan Settings.
Windows 7 Security Essentials Settings
To manage the Windows 7 Security Essentials settings, launch the Microsoft Security Essentials from the Windows 7 Start menu (button). The following settings can be reviewed/updated from the Settings tab on the Security Essentials UI.
Settings/Scheduled scan
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Run a scheduled scan on my computer. | Daily/Full scan |
| Check for the latest virus & spyware definitions before running a scheduled scan. | Selected |
| Start the scheduled scan only when my computer is on but not in use. | Selected |
Settings/Default actions
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| All alert levels set to “Recommended action”. | Selected |
| Apply recommended actions. | Enabled |
Settings/Real-time protection
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Turn on real-time protection. | Selected |
Settings/Excluded files and locations, Settings/Excluded file types, Settings/Excluded processes are all optional settings that are not required for the audit.
Settings/Advanced
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Scan archive files. | Selected |
| Scan removable drives. | Selected |
| Create a system restore point. | Selected |
| Allow all users to view the full History results. | Selected |
Settings/MAPS (Microsoft SpyNet)
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Advanced membership. | Selected |
Validate Screen Saver Settings:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Screen saver: Wait time. | 10 minutes |
| Screen saver: On resume, display logon screen. | Selected |
Windows 10 Defender Settings
To manage the Windows 10 Defender settings, launch the Windows Defender Security Center. You can click the Start menu button and then start typing Windows Defender Security Center and as you type you will see the program listed in the filtered search list. Click the Windows Defender Security Center app to start the applicaton.
Option: Virus & Threat Protection / Threat History
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Confirm files are being scanned. | Note Last Scan Date |
Option: Virus & Threat Protection / Virus & threat protection settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Real-time protection. | On |
| Cloud-delivered protection. | On |
| Automatic sample submission. | Optional |
| Controlled folder access. (Default: None) | Optional |
| Exclusions. (Default: None) | Optional |
| Notifications | All On & Checked |
Option: Virus & Threat Protection / Virus & threat protection updates
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Threat definition version. | Current |
| Version created on. | Current |
| Last update. | Current |
Option: Virus & Threat Protection / Ransomware Protection
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Controlled folder access. | On |
Option: Firewall & Network Protection: (Default inbound/outbound rules are sufficient.)
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Domain network. | On |
| Private network. | On |
| Public network. | On |
The following options are not managed in the Windows Defender Security Center
From the Start Menu, type Settings to launch the Windows Settings app.
Option: Personalization / Lock screen / Screen saver settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Screen Saver: Wait time. | 10 minutes |
| Screen Saver: On resume, display logon screen. | On |
The following configuration item is still under review because it is only achievable using the gpedit console.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Scan archive files. | On |
| Scan removable drives. | On |
| Create a system restore point. | On |
| Allow all users to view the full History reports. | On |