Microsoft Defender Antivirus • Release: 7 Benchmark Date: 05 Jan 2026
CAT II V-213463 WNDF-AV-000039
Microsoft Defender AV must be configured to prevent user and apps from accessing dangerous websites.
Discussion
Enable Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard network protection to prevent employees from using any application to access dangerous domains that may host phishing scams, exploit-hosting sites, and other malicious content on the internet.
Check Procedure
This setting is applicable starting with v1709 of Windows 10, it is NA for prior versions. Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard >> Network Protection >> "Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites" is set to "Enabled” and "Block" is selected in the drop-down box. Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection Criteria: If the value "EnableNetworkProtection" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.
Fix Action
Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Windows Defender Exploit Guard >> Network Protection >> "Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites" to "Enabled" and select "Block" in the drop-down box.