Configuring Windows Defender Advanced Settings

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Configuring Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) beyond default settings for enhanced protection
• Implementing Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules to block common attack techniques
• Enabling controlled folder access for ransomware protection
• Configuring network protection and exploit protection features
• Deploying Defender settings via Intune, SCCM, or Group Policy at enterprise scale

Do not use this skill for third-party EDR deployment (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne) or for Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Azure workload protection).

Prerequisites

• Windows 10/11 Enterprise with Microsoft Defender Antivirus enabled
• Microsoft 365 E5 or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 license (for full MDE features)
• Microsoft Intune or SCCM for enterprise policy deployment
• Microsoft 365 Defender portal access (security.microsoft.com)
• Endpoints not running third-party AV in active mode (Defender enters passive mode)

Workflow

Step 1: Configure Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) Rules

ASR rules block specific behaviors commonly used by malware and attackers:

powershell
# Enable ASR rules via PowerShell (or deploy via Intune/GPO)
# Mode: 0=Disabled, 1=Block, 2=Audit, 6=Warn

# Block executable content from email client and webmail
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids BE9BA2D9-53EA-4CDC-84E5-9B1EEEE46550 `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block all Office applications from creating child processes
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D4F940AB-401B-4EFC-AADC-AD5F3C50688A `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block Office applications from creating executable content
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 3B576869-A4EC-4529-8536-B80A7769E899 `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block Office applications from injecting code into other processes
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 75668C1F-73B5-4CF0-BB93-3ECF5CB7CC84 `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block JavaScript or VBScript from launching downloaded executable content
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D3E037E1-3EB8-44C8-A917-57927947596D `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block execution of potentially obfuscated scripts
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 5BEB7EFE-FD9A-4556-801D-275E5FFC04CC `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block Win32 API calls from Office macros
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 92E97FA1-2EDF-4476-BDD6-9DD0B4DDDC7B `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block credential stealing from Windows LSASS
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 9E6C4E1F-7D60-472F-BA1A-A39EF669E4B2 `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block process creations from PSExec and WMI commands
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D1E49AAC-8F56-4280-B9BA-993A6D77406C `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block untrusted and unsigned processes from USB
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids B2B3F03D-6A65-4F7B-A9C7-1C7EF74A9BA4 `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block persistence through WMI event subscription
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids E6DB77E5-3DF2-4CF1-B95A-636979351E5B `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

# Block abuse of exploited vulnerable signed drivers
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 56A863A9-875E-4185-98A7-B882C64B5CE5 `
  -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1

Step 2: Configure Controlled Folder Access (Ransomware Protection)

powershell
# Enable Controlled Folder Access
Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess Enabled

# Default protected folders: Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop, Favorites
# Add custom protected folders
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessProtectedFolders "C:\CriticalData"
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessProtectedFolders "D:\SharedDrives"

# Allow specific applications to access protected folders
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessAllowedApplications "C:\Program Files\CustomApp\app.exe"
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessAllowedApplications "C:\Program Files\Backup\backup.exe"

# Set to Audit mode first to identify legitimate applications that need access
Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess AuditMode
# Event ID 1124 in Microsoft-Windows-Windows Defender/Operational log

Step 3: Configure Network Protection

powershell
# Enable Network Protection (blocks connections to malicious domains/IPs)
Set-MpPreference -EnableNetworkProtection Enabled

# Network Protection leverages Microsoft SmartScreen intelligence
# Blocks: phishing sites, exploit hosting domains, C2 domains, malware download URLs

# Set to Audit mode first:
Set-MpPreference -EnableNetworkProtection AuditMode
# Event Log: Microsoft-Windows-Windows Defender/Operational, Event ID 1125

# Configure Web Content Filtering (requires MDE P2 license)
# Managed via Microsoft 365 Defender portal:
# Settings → Endpoints → Web content filtering → Add policy
# Categories to block: Malware, Phishing, Adult content, High bandwidth

Step 4: Configure Exploit Protection

powershell
# Export current exploit protection settings
Get-ProcessMitigation -RegistryConfigFilePath "C:\Defender\current_mitigations.xml"

# Configure system-level mitigations
Set-ProcessMitigation -System -Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, BottomUp

# Configure per-application mitigations
# Example: Harden Microsoft Office against exploitation
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "WINWORD.EXE" `
  -Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, CFG, StrictHandle

Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "EXCEL.EXE" `
  -Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, CFG, StrictHandle

Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "POWERPNT.EXE" `
  -Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, CFG, StrictHandle

# Import exploit protection configuration from XML template
Set-ProcessMitigation -PolicyFilePath "C:\Defender\exploit_protection_template.xml"

Step 5: Configure Cloud-Delivered Protection

powershell
# Enable cloud-delivered protection (real-time threat intelligence)
Set-MpPreference -MAPSReporting Advanced
Set-MpPreference -SubmitSamplesConsent SendAllSamples

# Enable Block at First Sight (BAFS)
# Requires: Cloud protection enabled + sample submission enabled
Set-MpPreference -DisableBlockAtFirstSeen $false

# Set cloud block timeout to maximum (60 seconds)
Set-MpPreference -CloudBlockLevel High
Set-MpPreference -CloudExtendedTimeout 50

# Enable potentially unwanted application (PUA) protection
Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection Enabled

Step 6: Configure Scan and Update Settings

powershell
# Configure real-time protection
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableBehaviorMonitoring $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableIOAVProtection $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableScriptScanning $false

# Configure scheduled scan
Set-MpPreference -ScanScheduleQuickScanTime 12:00:00
Set-MpPreference -ScanParameters QuickScan
Set-MpPreference -ScanScheduleDay 0  # Every day
Set-MpPreference -RemediationScheduleDay 0

# Configure signature updates
Set-MpPreference -SignatureUpdateInterval 1  # Check every hour
Set-MpPreference -SignatureFallbackOrder "MicrosoftUpdateServer|MMPC"

# Enable tamper protection (prevents unauthorized changes to Defender settings)
# Managed via Microsoft 365 Defender portal:
# Settings → Endpoints → Advanced features → Tamper Protection: On

Step 7: Deploy via Intune (Enterprise)

Intune Deployment Path:
1. Endpoint Security → Attack Surface Reduction → Create Profile
   - Platform: Windows 10 and later
   - Profile: Attack surface reduction rules
   - Configure each ASR rule to Block or Audit

2. Endpoint Security → Antivirus → Create Profile
   - Microsoft Defender Antivirus
   - Configure: Cloud protection, PUA, real-time protection

3. Endpoint Security → Antivirus → Create Profile
   - Microsoft Defender Antivirus Exclusions
   - Add path/process/extension exclusions for LOB apps

4. Devices → Configuration profiles → Create profile
   - Endpoint protection → Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard
   - Configure: Controlled Folder Access, Network Protection

Step 8: Monitor in Microsoft 365 Defender Portal

Dashboard monitoring:
1. security.microsoft.com → Reports → Endpoints
   - Device health: Protection status across fleet
   - ASR rule detections: Which rules are triggering
   - Vulnerable devices: Missing security updates

2. Threat analytics:
   - Active threat campaigns and Defender coverage
   - Recommended security actions

3. Advanced hunting (KQL):
   DeviceEvents
   | where ActionType startswith "Asr"
   | summarize Count=count() by ActionType, FileName
   | sort by Count desc

   DeviceEvents
   | where ActionType == "ControlledFolderAccessViolationBlocked"
   | project Timestamp, DeviceName, FileName, FolderPath

Key Concepts

| Term | Definition | |------|-----------| | ASR Rules | Attack Surface Reduction rules that block specific high-risk behaviors at the endpoint level | | Controlled Folder Access | Ransomware protection feature that prevents unauthorized applications from modifying files in protected folders | | Network Protection | Blocks outbound connections to low-reputation or known-malicious domains using SmartScreen intelligence | | Exploit Protection | System and per-application memory mitigations (DEP, ASLR, CFG) to prevent exploitation | | BAFS (Block at First Sight) | Cloud-based zero-day protection that holds suspicious files for cloud analysis before allowing execution | | Tamper Protection | Prevents unauthorized changes to Defender security settings, even by local administrators |

Tools & Systems

• Microsoft 365 Defender Portal: security.microsoft.com for centralized management and reporting
• Microsoft Intune: Cloud-based endpoint management for Defender policy deployment
• PowerShell (Set-MpPreference): Local configuration of Defender settings
• WDAC (Windows Defender Application Control): Complementary application control technology
• Microsoft Defender for Endpoint API: REST API for automation and custom integrations

Common Pitfalls

• Enabling all ASR rules in Block mode immediately: Some ASR rules cause false positives with legitimate software (Office macros, admin scripts). Always deploy in Audit mode first and monitor for 2-4 weeks.
• Not configuring Controlled Folder Access exclusions: Backup software, database applications, and development tools may be blocked from writing to protected folders. Add exclusions proactively.
• Ignoring tamper protection: Without tamper protection, malware or insiders can disable Defender via PowerShell or registry edits. Enable tamper protection through the M365 Defender portal.
• Running Defender alongside third-party AV: Defender enters passive mode when third-party AV is present. Ensure you are using the intended AV solution and configure Defender appropriately (EDR-only mode if keeping third-party AV).
• Forgetting cloud connectivity requirements: Cloud-delivered protection and BAFS require endpoints to reach Microsoft cloud services. Verify proxy/firewall rules allow Defender cloud traffic.