What is a recommended strategy for defending against PowerShell attacks?

A recommended strategy for defending against PowerShell attacks is to “Block PowerShell with AppLocker or Group Policy Object (GPO) settings.”

PowerShell is a powerful tool that can be used by attackers to execute scripts and commands that compromise security. Using AppLocker or GPO settings to restrict PowerShell usage can help prevent unauthorized or malicious PowerShell activities. This can include limiting PowerShell execution to only signed scripts, or completely blocking PowerShell for users who do not require it for their day-to-day tasks.

The other options mentioned are not recommended practices and could actually weaken security:

• Enable all service accounts to mitigate credential theft: Enabling all service accounts unnecessarily can actually increase the risk of credential theft, as it creates more targets for attackers.
• Configure logging to exclude account creation or deletion events: This is not advisable. It’s important to log and monitor account creation and deletion events, as these can be indicators of malicious activity.
• Configure user groups on domain controllers with full administrative rights: This approach is risky because it increases the number of accounts with high-level access, potentially enlarging the attack surface. It’s better to follow the principle of least privilege, granting users only the access rights they need to perform their tasks.