18.5.23.2.1 Ensure 'Allow Windows to automatically connect to suggested open hotspots, to networks shared by contacts, and to hotspots offering paid services' is set to 'Disabled'

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Information

This policy setting determines whether users can enable the following WLAN settings: 'Connect to suggested open hotspots,' 'Connect to networks shared by my contacts,' and 'Enable paid services'.

'Connect to suggested open hotspots' enables Windows to automatically connect users to open hotspots it knows about by crowdsourcing networks that other people using Windows have connected to.

'Connect to networks shared by my contacts' enables Windows to automatically connect to networks that the user's contacts have shared with them, and enables users on this device to share networks with their contacts.

'Enable paid services' enables Windows to temporarily connect to open hotspots to determine if paid services are available.

The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled.

Note: These features are also known by the name 'Wi-Fi Sense'.

Rationale:

Automatically connecting to an open hotspot or network can introduce the system to a rogue network with malicious intent.

Impact:

Connect to suggested open hotspots, Connect to networks shared by my contacts, and Enable paid services will each be turned off and users on the device will be prevented from enabling them.

Solution

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

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/Wifi/AllowAutoConnectToWiFiSenseHotspots
Data type: Integer
Value: 0

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.

Default Value:

Enabled. (Users can choose to enable or disable either 'Connect to suggested open hotspots' or 'Connect to networks shared by my contacts'.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/4291