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Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on

  • Article

Applies to:

  • Windows 11
  • Windows 10

Describes the best practices, location, values, management, and security considerations for the Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on security policy setting.

Reference

The Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on and Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on policy settings are closely related.

Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on specifies a text message to be displayed to users when they sign in.

Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on specifies a title to appear in the title bar of the window that contains the text message. This text is often used for legal reasons, for example, to warn users about the ramifications of misusing company information or to warn them that their actions may be audited.

When these policy settings are configured, users will see a dialog box before they can sign in to the server console.

Possible values

The possible values for this setting are:

  • User-defined text
  • Not defined

Best practices

  • It's advisable to set Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on to a value similar to one of the following:

    1. IT IS AN OFFENSE TO CONTINUE WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORIZATION.
    2. This system is restricted to authorized users. Individuals who attempt unauthorized access will be prosecuted. If you're unauthorized, terminate access now. Click OK to indicate your acceptance of this information.

    Important

    Any warning that you display in the title or text should be approved by representatives from your organization's legal and human resources departments.

Location

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options

Default values

The following table lists the actual and effective default values for this policy. Default values are also listed on the policy’s property page.

Server type or GPO Default value
Default Domain Policy Not defined
Default Domain Controller Policy Not defined
Stand-Alone Server Default Settings Not defined
DC Effective Default Settings Not defined
Member Server Effective Default Settings Not defined
Client Computer Effective Default Settings Not defined

Policy management

This section describes different requirements to help you manage this policy.

Restart requirement

None. Changes to this policy become effective without a device restart when they're saved locally or distributed through Group Policy.

Security considerations

This section describes how an attacker might exploit a feature or its configuration, how to implement the countermeasure, and the possible negative consequences of countermeasure implementation.

There are two policy settings that relate to sign-in displays:

The first policy setting specifies a text message that displays to users when they sign in, and the second policy setting specifies a title for the title bar of the text message window. Many organizations use this text for legal purposes; for example, to warn users about the ramifications of misuse of company information, or to warn them that their actions may be audited.

Vulnerability

Users often don't understand the importance of security practices. However, the display of a warning message before signing in may help prevent an attack by warning malicious or uninformed users about the consequences of their misconduct before it happens. It may also help reinforce corporate policies by notifying employees of appropriate policies during the sign-in process.

Countermeasure

Configure the Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on and Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on settings to an appropriate value for your organization.

Potential impact

Users see a message in a dialog box before they can sign in to the server console.