> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/analytics-alerts/alerts-by-name/suspicious-disablement-of-the-windows-firewall.md).

# Suspicious disablement of the Windows Firewall

### Synopsis

| Field                | Value                                                          |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Activation Period    | 14 Days                                                        |
| Training Period      | 30 Days                                                        |
| Test Period          | N/A (single event)                                             |
| Deduplication Period | 7 Days                                                         |
| Required Data        | XDR Agent                                                      |
| ATT\&CK Tactic       | Defense Evasion (TA0005)                                       |
| ATT\&CK Technique    | Impair Defenses: Disable or Modify System Firewall (T1562.004) |
| Severity             | Low                                                            |

### Description

The Windows Firewall has been disabled. Malware may turn it off to exfiltrate data and communicate with C2 servers.

### Attacker's Goals

An attacker may turn the firewall off to exfiltrate data and communicate with C2 servers.

### Investigative actions

* Check whether the command line executed is benign or normal for the host and/or user performing it.
* Investigate the endpoint to determine if the process is legitimately disabling the firewall.


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