How Can Advanced Users Harden User Account Security in Windows?
Advanced Windows users understand that user account management is a critical line of defense against unauthorized access and data breaches. While basic measures like setting strong passwords and enabling User Account Control (UAC) are common, there are deeper techniques that significantly enhance account security.
What Are the Benefits of Using Least Privilege Principles?
Operating under the principle of least privilege is fundamental for security. Avoid daily work in accounts with administrative privileges. Instead:
1. Use a standard user account for regular activities.
2. Create a separate, complex administrative account for system changes.
To implement this, go to Control Panel > User Accounts > Manage another account and create a standard and an administrator account. Log in using the standard account, switching to the administrator only when necessary. This reduces the risk posed by malware or accidental system changes.
How Do You Secure Administrator Accounts with Advanced Settings?
1. Rename the Default Administrator Account: Attackers often target the default admin account. To rename it, open Local Security Policy (secpol.msc) > Local Policies > Security Options, and change the “Accounts: Rename administrator account” policy.
2. Disable the Built-in Administrator Account: In most environments, the built-in admin account should be disabled. Use the command prompt with admin rights:
net user administrator /active:no
3. Set Logon Hours and Logon Workstations: For shared or corporate systems, restrict when and where administrative accounts can log in via the Active Directory Users and Computers snap-in.
How Can You Enforce Strong Authentication?
1. Enforce Complex Password Policies: In Local Security Policy, require passwords with at least 12 characters, mixed case, numbers, and symbols.
2. Enable Account Lockout Policies: Protect against brute-force attacks by setting account lockout thresholds (Local Security Policy > Account Lockout Policy).
3. Implement Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Windows Hello, physical security keys, or third-party authenticators provide additional layers. In a domain environment, enable MFA via Azure Active Directory or Windows Hello for Business.
What Advanced Methods Reduce Exposure to Credential Theft?
1. Use Credential Guard and LSA Protection: Windows 10/11 Pro and Enterprise editions support Credential Guard, which protects LSASS from credential dumping attacks. Enable via Group Policy: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard > Turn On Virtualization Based Security.
2. Disable Cached Credentials: For highly sensitive machines, set the policy “Interactive logon: Number of previous logons to cache” to 0 in Local Security Policy.
3. Regularly Clear Saved Credentials: Use Windows Credential Manager (Control Panel > Credential Manager) to remove unused saved credentials.
How Can You Audit and Monitor User Account Activities?
1. Enable Security Auditing: Through Local Security Policy > Local Policies > Audit Policy, audit logon events, account logon events, and privilege use.
2. Review Event Logs: Use Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) to look for unusual account activity, such as failed login attempts or privilege escalations.
3. Set Up Alerting: In enterprise environments, leverage Windows Event Forwarding or third-party SIEM solutions to trigger alerts for suspicious account actions.
What Role Do Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs) Play?
For administrators, use dedicated Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs) that are isolated from the internet and regular user activities. This helps ensure that credentials used for sensitive tasks are not exposed to malware from less secure environments.
How Can Glary Utilities Assist with Account Security and Maintenance?
Although primarily known for cleaning and optimization, Glary Utilities includes features beneficial for account security:
1. File Shredder: Securely delete files belonging to old user accounts, preventing data recovery.
2. Tracks Eraser: Remove traces from browsers and applications, reducing exposure of sensitive account actions.
3. Startup Manager: Review and disable unnecessary startup items, limiting programs that may attempt to run with elevated privileges.
4. Automatic Updates: Ensure that software is kept up to date, minimizing vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit through user accounts.
Run Glary Utilities regularly for comprehensive system cleanup and to maintain a hardened security posture at the account level.
Conclusion
Advanced Windows user account security demands a layered approach: enforce least privilege, harden and audit administrative accounts, deploy strong authentication, reduce credential exposure, and leverage security-focused utilities for maintenance. By implementing these advanced techniques and regularly reviewing your security stance, you significantly reduce the risk of compromise in any Windows environment.