Getting the Lab Ready and Attacking Exchange Server

Windows Active Directory is the de facto standard in most enterprises to run and support Windows-based networks. While centralized management brings convenience, it also introduces security risks. When carrying out their operations, malicious actors plan to achieve certain goals, and compromising Active Directory can help them do so. Active Directory’s default configuration is far from being secure. The best way to learn about Active Directory security is to execute attacks in a safe environment, trying to detect and prevent unwanted malicious activities.

Throughout the book, we will focus on the Active Directory kill chain, executing attacks and trying to detect as well as prevent them. This chapter will cover how to deploy a safe playground for such activities. We will use this lab throughout the book, later on adding extra services that will be covered in corresponding chapters about Active Directory Certificate Services...