Complete Windows Security Guide 2024: Hardening, Defender & Enterprise Protection

Key Takeaways

Keep Windows updated—patches are critical.
Windows Defender is now a capable security solution.
Limit local admin rights to reduce attack surface.

Enable BitLocker for full-disk encryption.
PowerShell security settings matter.
Active Directory security is enterprise-critical.

1. Windows Security Overview
2. Windows Defender
3. System Hardening
4. Account Security

5. PowerShell Security
6. Active Directory Security
7. Logging & Monitoring
8. Frequently Asked Questions

1. Windows Security Overview

Windows is the most targeted operating system due to its market dominance. However, modern Windows (10/11, Server 2019+) includes robust security features when properly configured. The challenge is knowing which features to enable and how to configure them effectively.

Windows security spans multiple layers: built-in security features, proper configuration, patch management, endpoint protection, and monitoring. Enterprise environments add Active Directory security and Group Policy management.

2. Windows Defender

2.1 Windows Security Features

Feature	Function
Defender Antivirus	Real-time malware protection
Firewall	Inbound/outbound traffic control
SmartScreen	Blocks unknown executables
Credential Guard	Protects credentials with virtualization
Device Guard	Application whitelisting
Attack Surface Reduction	Blocks common attack techniques

2.2 PowerShell Configuration

# Enable Attack Surface Reduction rules
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids `
    BE9BA2D9-53EA-4CDC-84E5-9B1EEEE46550 `
    -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions Enabled

# Enable Controlled Folder Access (ransomware protection)
Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess Enabled

# Enable network protection
Set-MpPreference -EnableNetworkProtection Enabled

3. System Hardening

3.1 Essential Configuration

Enable BitLocker: Full-disk encryption
Enable Secure Boot: Prevents bootkit malware
Disable SMBv1: Legacy protocol with vulnerabilities
Enable Windows Firewall: On all profiles
Configure UAC: Keep at default or higher

3.2 PowerShell Hardening Commands

# Disable SMBv1
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName SMB1Protocol

# Verify BitLocker status
Get-BitLockerVolume

# Enable BitLocker on C: drive
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:" -RecoveryPasswordProtector

# Configure Windows Firewall
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled True -DefaultInboundAction Block

4. Account Security

4.1 Local Admin Management

Rename or disable built-in Administrator account
Use unique local admin passwords per machine (LAPS)
Remove users from local Administrators group by default
Implement tiered admin model for enterprises

4.2 LAPS (Local Administrator Password Solution)

# Check LAPS password (requires AD permissions)
Get-ADComputer COMPUTERNAME -Properties ms-Mcs-AdmPwd | 
    Select-Object Name, @{Name="Password";Expression={$_.'ms-Mcs-AdmPwd'}}

Credential Theft

Attackers target cached credentials in memory. Credential Guard protects against Mimikatz-style attacks. In enterprises, implement tiered administration to prevent domain admin credentials from being exposed on workstations.

5. PowerShell Security

5.1 Execution Policy

# Check current execution policy
Get-ExecutionPolicy -List

# Recommended: Signed scripts only
Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned

# Enable PowerShell logging
# (Configure via Group Policy for enterprises)

5.2 Constrained Language Mode

Constrained Language Mode restricts PowerShell capabilities, blocking .NET and COM access often used by attackers.

# Check language mode
$ExecutionContext.SessionState.LanguageMode

# Should be "ConstrainedLanguage" on locked-down systems

6. Active Directory Security

6.1 Critical AD Protections

Protected Users group: Enhanced credential protections
Tiered administration: Separate admin accounts by tier
PAWs: Privileged Access Workstations for admins
LAPS: Unique local admin passwords
Disable LLMNR/NBT-NS: Prevent MITM attacks

6.2 Common AD Attack Mitigations

Attack	Mitigation
Kerberoasting	Strong service account passwords, gMSAs
Pass-the-Hash	Credential Guard, tiered admin
DCSync	Monitor/restrict replication privileges
Golden Ticket	Reset KRBTGT regularly, monitor usage

7. Logging & Monitoring

7.1 Essential Windows Logs

# Critical event logs to monitor:
- Security: 4624, 4625 (logon success/failure)
- Security: 4672 (special privileges assigned)
- Security: 4688 (process creation)
- Security: 4697 (service installed)
- PowerShell: 4103, 4104 (script block logging)
- Sysmon: Enhanced monitoring capabilities

7.2 Enable Advanced Logging

# Enable command line in process creation events
# (Group Policy → Advanced Audit Policy → Audit Process Creation)

# Enable PowerShell script block logging
# (Group Policy → Administrative Templates → PowerShell)

Sysmon Recommendation

Deploy Sysmon for enhanced endpoint visibility. It logs process creation, network connections, file changes, and more. Combined with a SIEM, Sysmon provides detection capabilities far beyond native Windows logging.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need third-party antivirus?

For most users, Windows Defender is sufficient. It performs well in independent tests. Enterprises may benefit from EDR solutions for advanced detection and response. Third-party AV is no longer required for basic protection.

How do I check if my Windows is properly hardened?

Use Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer or CIS-CAT to compare against CIS benchmarks. Windows Security app shows status of key protections. Enterprise tools like Microsoft Defender for Endpoint provide security posture assessment.

Conclusion

Windows security requires layered defenses: keep systems patched, enable built-in protections like Defender and BitLocker, properly manage accounts (especially admin rights), secure PowerShell, and implement comprehensive logging. For enterprises, Active Directory security is critical—compromised AD means compromised everything.

Continue Learning:
Linux Security Endpoint Security