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Log Analysis · SOC Analyst

User reports their account is being locked out repeatedly. How do you investigate?

Multi-source investigation: (1) Active Directory — query event 4740 (account lockout) for source workstation/IP; (2) Filter logs from that workstation — what's authenticating? Could be: cached credentials on phone/Outlook/RDP after password change; service running with old credentials; brute-force attack from compromised host. (3) PowerShell Get-WinEvent or Splunk SPL: index=ad EventCode=4740 user=affected_user | stats count by Caller_Computer_Name. (4) On caller machine: check scheduled tasks, services, drive mappings using old creds. (5) Check for actual brute force: many failed authentications from external IP = compromised user, not just 'forgot password' lockout.
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Q. What's the difference between Windows Security event 4624 vs 4625 vs 4634?

Critical events for SOC analysts: 4624 — successful login (logon type 2=interactive, 3=network, 10=remote interactive/RDP, 4=batch, 5=service). 4625 — failed login. 4634 — logoff. 4647 — user-initiated logoff (interactiv…
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