Windows Server 2008 R2: Hacking and Securing

Explore Server Manager in Windows Server 2008 R2, review Active Directory domain controller and DNS server roles, and use Best Practices Analyzer to verify configurations.

Apply BitLocker disk encryption with TPM or USB startup keys to secure system partitions. Use group policy and application whitelist to control applications and prevent attacks.

Build an Active Directory environment while configuring Windows Server Update Services, apply group policy to organizational units, and move the domain administrator workstation to the IT OU.

Learn to manage client configurations with group policy, add the wsus administrative templates, and configure Windows Update automatic updates and wsus server location for centralized control.

Link the GPO to an organizational unit or domain to update all computers, ensuring the policy loads at restart via the WSUS server, and address security concerns about permissions.

Learn to configure certification authorities in Windows Server, including enterprise and standalone CAs, with web enrollment, issuing certificates to users and devices, and managing PKI trust.

Demonstrates automatic certificate issuance over the network using templates and the security tab's auto field, distinguishing automatic assignment from on-request issuance for domain computers and users.

Validate real environment certificate deployment in a Windows domain by verifying auto enrollment, template settings, and manual approval, then confirm Active Directory subject names and CA trust via browser.

Use attack surface analyzer to scan for changes across processes, ACLs, registry keys, and executables. Review the report for suspicious entries, misconfigurations, and attack surface in a networked Windows environment.