Book Image

Mastering Windows Security and Hardening

By : Mark Dunkerley, Matt Tumbarello
Book Image

Mastering Windows Security and Hardening

By: Mark Dunkerley, Matt Tumbarello

Overview of this book

Are you looking for effective ways to protect Windows-based systems from being compromised by unauthorized users? Mastering Windows Security and Hardening is a detailed guide that helps you gain expertise when implementing efficient security measures and creating robust defense solutions. We will begin with an introduction to Windows security fundamentals, baselining, and the importance of building a baseline for an organization. As you advance, you will learn how to effectively secure and harden your Windows-based system, protect identities, and even manage access. In the concluding chapters, the book will take you through testing, monitoring, and security operations. In addition to this, you’ll be equipped with the tools you need to ensure compliance and continuous monitoring through security operations. By the end of this book, you’ll have developed a full understanding of the processes and tools involved in securing and hardening your Windows environment.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
1
Section 1: Getting Started
6
Section 2: Applying Security and Hardening
13
Section 3: Protecting, Detecting, and Responding for Windows Environments

Windows Defender Firewall and Advanced Security

Windows 10 Firewall is a software-based firewall that's enabled out of the box and used to allow or block connections to your PC. To view the basic firewall settings, including their statuses, open Windows Security from the Settings app and select Firewall & Network Protection. There are local security settings you can change from here, including configurations specific to each network profile, such as blocking incoming connections, allowing an app through the firewall, and restoring the default firewall settings.

The three network profile types in Windows Firewall are domain, private, and guest/public, as follows:

  • Domain Profile settings are defined by the domain profile and are set systemically using Group Policy or from network devices located on the corporate network. Local policy settings are typically overwritten if they're managed systemically.
  • Private Profile is used for home network or small office...