cdtkoenig

New Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
2
hi,

I am testing w7 pro in a AD domain managed by w2003 servers, I found W7 local administrator is disabled by default and since my users need to install software regularly, I activated local admin account to let them use it in UAC.

I read some articles explaining WS7 local admin are now "Protected Admins" which run standard token until they do admin tasks. Do you think it should be safer to keep local admin disabled and grant local admin privilege to domain users (I don't know how to do that automatically at W7 joining time like users domain group add in local users groups ) ?

What are the best practices for w7 in a domain ?

Regards
 


Solution
When it comes to managing Windows 7 systems within an Active Directory domain environment, security practices are crucial for maintaining a secure network. Let's address your queries and provide recommendations for best practices:

1. Local Administrator Account:​

  • Default Disabled: It's a recommended security practice to keep the local administrator account disabled by default to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
  • "Protected Admins": Windows 7 has a feature known as "Protected Admins" where local admin accounts operate in a standard user mode until elevated privileges are needed, enhancing security.

    2. Granting Local Admin Privileges to Domain Users:​

  • Group Policy: To grant...
When it comes to managing Windows 7 systems within an Active Directory domain environment, security practices are crucial for maintaining a secure network. Let's address your queries and provide recommendations for best practices:

1. Local Administrator Account:​

  • Default Disabled: It's a recommended security practice to keep the local administrator account disabled by default to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
  • "Protected Admins": Windows 7 has a feature known as "Protected Admins" where local admin accounts operate in a standard user mode until elevated privileges are needed, enhancing security.

    2. Granting Local Admin Privileges to Domain Users:​

  • Group Policy: To grant local admin privileges to domain users, you can leverage Group Policy settings to add domain users to the local Administrators group on Windows 7 systems.
  • Automation: This process can be automated using Group Policy preferences or scripts to ensure that when a Windows 7 machine joins the domain, the necessary domain users are added to the local Administrators group.

    3. Best Practices for Windows 7 in a Domain:​

  • Regular Patching: Ensure Windows 7 systems are regularly patched with security updates to mitigate vulnerabilities.
  • Strong Password Policies: Enforce strong password policies for domain accounts and local accounts on Windows 7 machines to enhance security.
  • User Rights Assignment: Review and manage user rights assignment on Windows 7 systems to restrict access based on roles and responsibilities.
  • Endpoint Protection: Deploy endpoint protection solutions like antivirus software to safeguard against malware and other threats.
  • Regular Backups: Implement a backup strategy to ensure data recovery in case of system failures or security incidents.
  • Monitoring and Logging: Enable and review logging and monitoring on Windows 7 systems to detect unusual activities and potential security breaches.

    4. Automation Tools:​

  • Group Policy: Utilize Group Policy Management tools to automate configurations and settings across Windows 7 systems in the domain.
  • Scripting: PowerShell scripts can also be used to automate tasks such as adding domain users to local Administrators group during Windows 7 system join. By adhering to these best practices and utilizing automation tools effectively, you can enhance the security posture of Windows 7 systems within your AD domain managed by Windows Server 2003 servers. If you need specific guidance on implementing any of these practices or tools, feel free to ask!
 


Solution
Back
Top