Detections
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18.7.1.1 Ensure 'Turn off notifications network usage' is set to 'Enabled'

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Information

This policy setting blocks applications from using the network to send notifications to update tiles, tile badges, toast, or raw notifications. This policy setting turns off the connection between Windows and the Windows Push Notification Service (WNS). This policy setting also stops applications from being able to poll application services to update tiles.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

Windows Push Notification Services (WNS) is a mechanism to receive 3rd-party notifications and updates from the cloud/Internet. In a high security environment, external systems, especially those hosted outside the organization, should be prevented from having an impact on the secure workstations.

Impact:

Applications and system features will not be able receive notifications from the network from WNS or via notification polling APIs.

Warning: This policy is designed for zero exhaust. This policy may cause some MDM processes to break because WNS notification is used by the MDM server to send real time tasks to the device, such as remote wipe, unenroll, remote find, and mandatory app installation. When this policy is set to disallow WNS, those real time processes will no longer work and some time-sensitive actions such as remote wipe when the device is stolen or unenrollment when the device is compromised will not work.'

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration, set the following Device Configuration Policy to 'Enabled':

To access the Device Configuration Policy from the Intune Home page:

Click Devices

Click Configuration profiles

Click Create profile

Select the platform (Windows 10 and later)

Select the profile (Custom)

Click Create

Enter a Name

Click Next

Configure the following Setting

Name: <Enter name>
Description: <Enter Description>
OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/Notifications/DisallowCloudNotification
Data type: Integer
Value: 1

Select OK

Continue through the Wizard to complete the creation of the profile (profile assignments, applicability etc.)

Note: More than one configuration setting from each of the Configuration profiles (ex: Administrative Templates, Custom etc.) can be added to each Device Configuration Policy.

Note 2: This recommendation can also be set using the Endpoint protection profile using Windows Encryption settings.

Default Value:

Disabled.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3358

Item Details

References: CSCv7|9.2

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: 71b5d4510a4e1b2021f0c7db49b466b55071d5d97063e07c90f12656081522f4