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.

Documentable No
Rule ID SV-213463r961092_rule
CCI References
CCI-001170

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.