Windows Defender AV must be configured to monitor for file and program activity.

From MS Windows Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Associated with: CCI-001242

SV-89903r2_rule Windows Defender AV must be configured to monitor for file and program activity.

Vulnerability discussion

This policy setting allows you to configure monitoring for file and program activity. If you enable or do not configure this setting monitoring for file and program activity will be enabled. If you disable this setting monitoring for file and program activity will be disabled.

Check content

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Real-time Protection -> "Monitor file and program activity on your computer to be scanned" is set to "Enabled" or "Not Configured". Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Real-Time Protection Criteria: If the value "DisableOnAccessProtection" is REG_DWORD = 0, this is not a finding. If the value does not exist, this is not a finding. If the value is 1, this is a finding.

Fix text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Defender Antivirus -> Real-time Protection -> "Monitor file and program activity on your computer" to "Enabled" or "Not Configured".

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