Let’s talk about something every IT department deals with—but often overlooks: cleaning up your Active Directory (AD).
What Is Active Directory?
Active Directory is Microsoft’s central database that stores:
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Usernames and passwords
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Group memberships
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Server configurations
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And much more
It’s the heart of your identity infrastructure, and when left unchecked, it can become a mess.
The Problem: AD “Turds”
Over time, AD gets cluttered with:
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Disabled user accounts
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Stale accounts not logged into for a year
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Placeholder accounts that were never removed
We jokingly call them “turds”—because they just sit there, stinking up your network.
Why This Is a Security Risk
Every unused or forgotten account is a potential attack vector. Imagine someone logs in using a former employee’s credentials—suddenly your company is at risk, and you didn’t even see it coming.
The Fix: Regular AD Cleanup
We recommend:
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Quarterly or biannual audits
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Identify and remove unused accounts
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Review group memberships
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Double-check your offboarding policies
Even with solid policies in place, human error happens. People forget. Users fall through the cracks. That’s why regular sweeps are essential.
Final Thoughts
If someone no longer works for you, their account should be disabled and eventually deleted. It’s a basic, but powerful way to reduce your attack surface and improve security.
Need help auditing or cleaning your AD?
📧 Reach out to us at info@adscon.com
Stay safe, stay secure—and don’t let AD turds pile up.