Audit SAM

  • Article

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

This security policy setting allows you to audit events generated by attempts to access Security Accounts Manager (SAM) objects. SAM objects include the following:

  • SAM_ALIAS: A local group

  • SAM_GROUP: A group that is not a local group

  • SAM_USER: A user account

  • SAM_DOMAIN: A domain

  • SAM_SERVER: A computer account

If you configure this policy setting, an audit event is generated when a SAM object is accessed. Success audits record successful attempts, and failure audits record unsuccessful attempts.

Note

Only the SACL for SAM_SERVER can be modified.

Changes to user and group objects are tracked by the Account Management audit category. However, user accounts with enough privileges could potentially alter the files where the account and password information is stored in the system, bypassing any Account Management events.

Event volume: High on domain controllers

Note

For information about reducing the number of events generated in this subcategory, see article 841001 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=121698).

Default setting: Not configured

If this policy setting is configured, the following events are generated. The events appear on computers running Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

Event ID Event message

4659

A handle to an object was requested with intent to delete.

4660

An object was deleted.

4661

A handle to an object was requested.

4663

An attempt was made to access an object.