MDR: Unleashing the Power of Minifilters (Part 6)
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MDR: Unleashing the Power of Minifilters (Part 6)

Updated: Mar 1

Unleashing the Power of Minifilters: Leveraging Windows Defender and Velociraptor.


#minifilter driver #edr cynorsense blog
Minifilter Driver

In this article, we will explore the concept of minifilters, their role in monitoring file system activities, and how to utilise both Windows Defender and Velociraptor to detect and analyze minifilter drivers on a Windows system. We will also discuss the optimal number of minifilter drivers required and the integration of AI for enhancing detection capabilities.


Tip #1: Understanding Minifilters:

Minifilters are lightweight kernel-mode drivers that intercept and modify file system activities in real-time. They play a crucial role in monitoring file manipulation, creation, opening, deletion, modification, and renaming.


Tip #2: Detecting Minifilter Drivers on a Windows System:

To list the currently loaded minifilter drivers on a Windows system, you can use the following cli command on cmd window as administrator:


FLTMC instances

Tip #3: Using Velociraptor to Monitor Minifilter Activities:

To monitor minifilter activities using Velociraptor, you can utilize the following VQL query:



SELECT * FROM minifilter WHERE FilterName =~ 'minifilter_driver_name'

Tip #4: Leveraging Windows Defender for Minifilter Driver Detection:

Windows Defender can be configured to detect and prevent malicious minifilter driver installations by enabling real-time protection and monitoring of kernel-mode drivers.


Tip #5: Determining the Optimal Number of Minifilter Drivers:

The optimal number of minifilter drivers depends on the specific security requirements of an organization. Generally, a minimal set of drivers that provide the necessary security coverage without impacting system performance is recommended.


Tip #6: Integrating AI into Minifilter Driver Logs:

To enhance detection capabilities, machine learning algorithms can be applied to the logs generated by minifilter drivers. This helps in identifying patterns and correlations that might indicate malicious activities.



Minifilters play a crucial role in monitoring file system activities on Windows systems. By leveraging Windows Defender and Velociraptor, security professionals can detect and analyse minifilter drivers effectively. The integration of AI further enhances detection capabilities, ensuring a robust security posture.


Master minifilters with Windows Defender & Velociraptor for enhanced file system monitoring! 🛡️🖥️🔍


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