Best Practices for Creating a Secure Guest Account

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Best Practices for Creating a Secure Guest Account
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In some environments, you might need to set up a Guest account that can be used by visitors. Most of the time, you’ll want to configure the Guest account on a specific computer or computers and carefully control how the account can be used. Here are some best practices to follow when creating a secure Guest account:

Enable the Guest account for use
By default, the Guest account is disabled, so you must enable it to make it available. To do this, access Local Users And Groups in Computer Management, select the Users folder, double-click Guest, and then clear the Account Is Disabled check box. Click OK.

Set a secure password for the Guest account
By default, the Guest account has a blank password. To improve security on the computer, you should set a password for the account. In Local Users And Groups, right-click Guest, and then select Set Password. Click Proceed at the warning prompt. Type the new password and then confirm it. Click OK twice.

Ensure that the Guest account cannot be used over the network
The Guest account shouldn’t be accessible from other computers. If it is, users at another computer could log on over the network as a guest. To prevent this, start the Local Security Policy tool from the Administrative Tools menu, or type secpol.msc at the command prompt. Then, under Local Policies\User Rights Assignment, check that the Deny Access To This Computer From The Network policy lists Guest as a restricted account.

Prevent the Guest account from shutting down the computer
When a computer is shutting down or starting up, it is possible that a guest user (or anyone with local access) could gain unauthorized access to the computer. To help deter this, you should be sure that the Guest account doesn’t have the Shut Down The System user right. In the Local Security Policy tool, expand Local Policies\User Rights Assignment and ensure that the Shut Down The System policy doesn’t list the Guest account.

Prevent the Guest account from viewing event logs
To help maintain the security of the system, the Guest account shouldn’t be allowed to view the event logs. To be sure this is the case, start Registry Editor by typing regedit at a command prompt, and then access the HKLM\SYSTEM\Cur-rentControlSet\services\Eventlog key. Here, among others, you’ll find three important subkeys: Application, Security, and System. Make sure each of these subkeys has a DWORD value named RestrictGuestAccess with a value of 1.



Source: Best Practices for Creating a Secure Guest Account

 

[CarlTR6]

Very well done, Shyam. I shall implement this. Thank you.

 

[Lordbob75]

Awesome tutorial, thanks!

Would rep, but cant.

~Lordbob

 

[Barman58]

In addition to the above also check what options are available in other applications - for example MSE has an option to allow all users access to logs and information, make sure this is disabled. Other applications may have similar options

You can also secure sensitive data more securely by removing the everyone group from the folder permissions completely and adding in only your specific users plus system and the administrators group

 

[derekimo]

Excellent Capt., Thanks!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Well done Shyam!

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Thanks

 

[karlsnooks]

and where is the disabling of Win R key combo?

Where is the disabling of running regedit?

Personally, I think that article only scratches the surface. They should turn the computer over to a 12yr old and watch him beat the system.

 

[CarlTR6]

and where is the disabling of Win R key combo?

Where is the disabling of running regedit?

Personally, I think that article only scratches the surface. They should turn the computer over to a 12yr old and watch him beat the system.

I have not played with the guest account; but wouldn't UAC block regedit? I'm asking. not arguing.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Yup .. With UAC turned on most of admin task will be disabled.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

I just made a little more use friendly version of Best Practices for Creating a Secure Guest Account with little more details with screenshots
Captain Jack's IT Blog: Best Practices for Creating a Secure Guest Account