As a system administrator, it is important to keep an eye on failed login attempts in order to ensure the security of your system. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to access failed login attempts in Windows.
Step 1: Access the Event Viewer
The first step is to access the Event Viewer. This tool allows you to view all the events that occur on your Windows system, including failed login attempts. To open the Event Viewer, go to the Start menu and search for “Event Viewer” or press the Windows key + R, then type “eventvwr.msc” and press Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the Security Logs
Once you have opened the Event Viewer, you will see a list of different logs on the left-hand side. Look for the “Windows Logs” section and click on “Security”.
Step 3: Filter the Logs
To filter the logs, click on the “Filter Current Log” option on the right-hand side. In the window that appears, select “Failure Audit” from the “Event level” drop-down menu. This will display all the failed login attempts in the Security logs.
Step 4: View the Failed Login Attempts
Now that you have filtered the logs, you can view all the failed login attempts in the Security logs. Each failed login attempt will have a corresponding event ID and other details such as the username, time of the attempt, and the reason for the failure.
Step 5: Investigate the Failed Login Attempts
Once you have identified a failed login attempt, you can investigate further to determine the cause of the failure. Check the event details for any relevant information, such as incorrect passwords, expired accounts, or disabled accounts.
Step 6: Take Action
Depending on the cause of the failed login attempts, you may need to take action to ensure the security of your system. For example, if the attempts were due to a brute force attack, you may need to strengthen your password policies or implement multi-factor authentication. If the attempts were due to a compromised account, you may need to reset the password or disable the account.
Step 7: Clear the Logs
Finally, once you have investigated the failed login attempts and taken any necessary actions, you may want to clear the logs to make it easier to identify new events. To clear the logs, right-click on “Security” in the left-hand pane and select “Clear Log”.
In conclusion, monitoring failed login attempts is an important aspect of system administration. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily access and investigate failed login attempts in Windows, and take appropriate actions to ensure the security of your system.