Vulnerability Discussion

Windows SmartScreen helps protect systems from programs downloaded from the internet that may be malicious. Enabling SmartScreen will warn users of potentially malicious programs.

Check

This is applicable to unclassified systems; for other systems, this is NA.

If the following registry value does not exist or is 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)

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> "Configure Windows SmartScreen" to "Enabled".