Accounts: Rename guest account

Updated: November 15, 2012

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Vista, Windows XP

This security policy reference topic for the IT professional describes the best practices, location, values, and security considerations for this policy setting.

Reference

The Accounts: Rename guest account policy setting determines whether a different account name is associated with the security identifier (SID) for the Guest account.

The Guest account exists in the Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP Professional operating systems. Renaming the Guest account makes it slightly more difficult for unauthorized persons to guess this privileged user name and password combination.

Rename the Guest account by specifying a value for the Accounts: Rename guest account policy setting.

The Guest account is disabled by default in Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000 Server, and Windows XP, but it is set as Guest in Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Vista.

Possible values

• User-defined text

• Guest

Best practices

1. For computers in unsecured locations, renaming the account makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to guess it.

2. For computers in secured or trusted locations, keeping the name of the account as Guest provides consistency among computers.

Location

GPO_name\Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\

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.

Operating system version differences

There are no differences in this policy between operating systems beginning with Windows Server 2008.

Policy management

This section describes features and tools that are available to help you manage this policy.

Restart requirement

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

Policy conflict considerations

None.

Group Policy

This policy setting can be configured by using the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) to be distributed through Group Policy Objects (GPOs). If this policy is not contained in a distributed GPO, this policy can be configured on the local computer by using the Local Security Policy snap-in.

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.

Vulnerability

The Guest account exists in all Windows server and client operating system versions beginning with Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional. Because the account name is well known, it provides a vector for a malicious user to get access to network resources and attempt to elevate privileges or install software that could be used for a later attack on your system.

Countermeasure

Specify a new name in the Accounts: Rename guest account setting to rename the Guest account. If you rename this account, it is slightly more difficult for unauthorized persons to guess this privileged user name and password combination.

Potential impact

There should be little impact because the Guest account is disabled by default in Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, and Windows XP. For later operating systems, the policy is enabled with Guest as the default.