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Linux Configuation


Linux commands for Microsoft Defender can be located at:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/linux-resources?view=o365-worldwide

After installing Defender for Linux enable the block potentially unwanted applications (PUA) functionality using:

sudo mdatp threat policy set --type potentially_unwanted_application --action block

Once this has been done add cron jobs using:

sudo crontab -e

Add this line to schedule a quick scan at 2:00 UTC Monday to Saturday, output will be placed in /var/log/mdatp_cron_job.log

00 2 * * 1-6 /usr/bin/mdatp scan quick > /var/log/mdatp_cron_job.log

Add this line to schedule a full scan at 2:00 UTC Sunday, output will be placed in /var/log/mdatp_cron_job.log

00 2 * * 0 /usr/bin/mdatp scan full  > /var/log/mdatp_cron_job.log

Exit the editor saving your changes.

 

Check the health of Microsoft Defernder by running

mdatp health

If you need to restart the service use

sudo service mdatp restart

A configuration file called mdatp_managed.json can be used to set the Defender settings under Linux. This file should be saved in /etc/opt/microsoft/mdatp/managed.

{
   "antivirusEngine":{
      "enforcementLevel":"real_time",
      "threatTypeSettings":[
         {
            "key":"potentially_unwanted_application",
            "value":"block"
         },
         {
            "key":"archive_bomb",
            "value":"audit"
         }
      ]
   },
   "cloudService":{
      "automaticDefinitionUpdateEnabled":true,
      "automaticSampleSubmissionConsent":"safe",
      "enabled":true
   }
}

Next, cron jobs should be created for scheduled scans. This can been done via:

sudo crontab -e

Copy and paste the below into the editor to define the scans## Microsoft Defender quick scan  Monday to Saturday
00 2 * * 1-6 /usr/bin/mdatp scan quick > /var/log/mdatp_cron_job.log
## Microsoft Defender full scan on Sunday
00 2 * * 0 /usr/bin/mdatp scan full  > /var/log/mdatp_cron_job.log

Exit the editor saving your changes.

Check the health of Microsoft Defender by running

mdatp health

If you need to restart the service use

sudo service mdatp restart