2.3.7.2 Ensure 'Interactive logon: Don't display last signed-in' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

This policy setting determines whether the account name of the last user to log on to the client computers in your organization will be displayed in each computer's respective Windows logon screen. Enable this policy setting to prevent intruders from collecting account names visually from the screens of desktop or laptop computers in your organization.

The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.

Rationale:

An attacker with access to the console (for example, someone with physical access or someone who is able to connect to the server through Remote Desktop Services) could view the name of the last user who logged on to the server. The attacker could then try to guess the password, use a dictionary, or use a brute-force attack to try and log on.

Solution

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

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options\Interactive logon: Don't display last signed-in

Note: In older versions of Microsoft Windows, this setting was named Interactive logon: Do not display last user name, but it was renamed starting with Windows 10 Release 1703.

Impact:

The name of the last user to successfully log on will not be displayed in the Windows logon screen.

Default Value:

Disabled. (The name of the last user to log on is displayed in the Windows logon screen.)

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/2550