Detect Services and Port Changes using PowerShell
In this lab, you’ll practice and develop skills in PowerShell and Windows configuration to look at ways to build defensive capabilities into corporate systems on a company network looking to detect changes to services and ports on a system. When you’re finished, you’ll have the necessary skills and knowledge to create tailored cyber security defense detections for activities relevant to blue team cyber security defense.
Terms and conditions apply.
Challenge
Getting Started in the Lab Environment
Here are the initial instructions and explanation of the lab environment. Read this while your environment is busy creating itself from nothing. Yes, this violates physics; we know. How fun!
Challenge
Detecting Changes in Services
In this challenge you will create a script on a corporate server in order to monitor the services running on a system. You will create the script using PowerShell. You will then attempt to detect changes to services on the system to test your new PowerShell script. This will demonstrate how to use the built-in PowerShell capability available on common Windows operating systems to be able to perform customized audit and security detections. This will help you and your organization protect critical servers by using only known services.
Challenge
Detecting Port Changes
In this challenge you will need to create a script on a corporate server in order to identify new ports created on the system. You will create the script using PowerShell. You will then attempt to create a new port on the system to test your new PowerShell script, simulating a malicious process. This will demonstrate how to use the built-in PowerShell capability available on common Windows operating systems to be able to perform customized security detections. This will help you and your organization protect critical servers in a repeatable way. Building further on your learning, you will access findings by remoting from your blue team workstation acting as a central collection and analysis point.
Challenge
The Last Challenge
Welcome to the final challenge! This is your last chance to experiment in the environment. Clicking Finish Lab will end this little world that flittered into existence just for you.
Provided environment for hands-on practice
We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.
Guided walkthrough
Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!
Did you know?
On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
Recommended prerequisites
- Basic computer and internet knowledge
- Basic Windows computer configuration
- Basic knowledge of PowerShell