CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Release 1909 Benchmark

9.2.4 (L1) Ensure 'Windows Firewall: Private: Settings: Display a notification' is set to 'No' (Scored)

ProfileApplicability:

 Level 1 (L1) - Corporate/Enterprise Environment (general use)

Description:

Select this option to have Windows Firewall with Advanced Security display notifications to the user when a program is blocked from receiving inbound connections.

The recommended state for this setting is: No .

Note: When the Apply local firewall rules setting is configured to No , it's recommended to also configure the Display a notification setting to No . Otherwise, users will continue to receive messages that ask if they want to unblock a restricted inbound connection, but the user's response will be ignored.

Rationale:

Firewall notifications can be complex and may confuse the end users, who would not be able to address the alert.

Audit:

Navigate to the UI Path articulated in the Remediation section and confirm it is set as prescribed. This group policy setting is backed by the following registry location:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsFirewall\PrivateProfile :DisableNotifications

Remediation:

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to No :

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Windows Firewall with Advanced Security\Windows Firewall with Advanced Security\Windows Firewall Properties\Private Profile\Settings Customize\Display a notification

Impact:

Windows Firewall will not display a notification when a program is blocked from receiving inbound connections.

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