CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Release 1909 Benchmark

18.8.22.1.9 (L2) Ensure 'Turn off Search Companion content file updates' is set to 'Enabled' (Scored)

ProfileApplicability:

 Level 2 (L2) - High Security/Sensitive Data Environment (limited functionality)

Description:

This policy setting specifies whether Search Companion should automatically download content updates during local and Internet searches.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled .

Rationale:

There is a small risk that users will unknowingly reveal sensitive information because of the topics they are searching for. This risk is very low because even if this setting is enabled users still must submit search queries to the desired search engine in order to perform searches.

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\SearchCompanion:DisableContent FileUpdates

Remediation:

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled :

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\System\Internet Communication Management\Internet Communication settings\Turn off Search Companion content file updates

Note: This Group Policy path is provided by the Group Policy template ICM.admx/adml that is included with all versions of the Microsoft Windows Administrative Templates.

683 | P a g e