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WN11-CC-000210 The Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Explorer must be enabled.

DISA STIG library V2R11
All changes in this version
first version loaded CAT II

Maps to CM-7 via CCI-000381

Title

The Microsoft Defender SmartScreen for Explorer must be enabled.

Control

This is applicable to unclassified systems, for other systems this is NA. If the following registry values do not exist or are not configured as specified, this is a finding: Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\ Value Name: EnableSmartScreen Value Type: REG_DWORD Value: 0x00000001 (1) And Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\ Value Name: ShellSmartScreenLevel Value Type: REG_SZ Value: Block

Discussion

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen helps protect systems from programs downloaded from the internet that may be malicious. Enabling Microsoft Defender SmartScreen will warn or prevent users from running potentially malicious programs.

Related controls

CCI-000381

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> "Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen" to "Enabled" with "Warn and prevent bypass" selected. Windows 11 includes duplicate policies for this setting. It can also be configured under Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Defender SmartScreen >> Explorer.