Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows DomainID: oval:org.secpod.oval:def:83627 | Date: (C)2022-09-02 (M)2023-07-04 |
Class: COMPLIANCE | Family: windows |
This policy setting prevents computers from establishing multiple simultaneous connections to either the Internet or to a Windows domain.
Counter Measure:
Enable this policy setting.
Potential Impact:
If this policy setting is enabled, when the computer has at least one active connection to the Internet, a new automatic connection attempt to the Internet is blocked. When the computer has at least one active connection to a Windows domain, a new automatic connection to the same Windows domain is also blocked. Additional manual connection attempts by users to the Internet or to a Windows domain are not blocked by this policy setting.
In circumstances where there are multiple simultaneous connections to either the Internet or to a Windows domain, Windows disconnects the less preferred connection when the amount of network traffic over the less preferred connection drops below a certain threshold. For example, when a computer is connected to Internet using a Wi-Fi connection and the user plugs in to an Ethernet network, network traffic is routed through the faster Ethernet connection, and the Wi-Fi traffic diminishes. Windows detects this circumstance and responds by disconnecting the Wi-Fi connection.
If this policy setting is not configured or is disabled, multiple simultaneous connections to the Internet or to a Windows domain are allowed.
Fix:
(1) GPO: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Network\Windows Connection Manager\Minimize the number of simultaneous connections to the Internet or a Windows Domain
(2) REG: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WcmSvc\GroupPolicy!fMinimizeConnections
Platform: |
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 |