1.11.5 Ensure 'Prevent bypassing of Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warnings about downloads' is set to 'Enabled'

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Information

This policy setting controls whether users may override Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warnings regarding downloads that are unverified.

The recommended state for this setting is Enabled.

Rationale:

Smartscreen checks downloads and verifies whether they are deemed safe or not. Only allowing verified downloads greatly reduces risk of a download containing a virus, spyware, or other unwanted software.

Impact:

User will not be able to download software that has not been verified by SmartScreen.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled

Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\SmartScreen settings\Prevent bypassing of Microsoft Defender SmartScreen warnings about downloads

Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template MSEdge.admx/adml that can be downloaded from Microsoft here.

Default Value:

Disabled.

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/3907