This security policy setting allows you to audit events generated by attempts to access Security Accounts Manager (SAM) objects. SAM objects include the following:

• SAM_ALIAS: A local group
• SAM_GROUP: A group that is not a local group
• SAM_USER: A user account
• SAM_DOMAIN: A domain
• SAM_SERVER: A computer account

If you configure this policy setting, an audit event is generated when a SAM object is accessed. Success audits record successful attempts, and failure audits record unsuccessful attempts.
Note: Only the SACL for SAM_SERVER can be modified.
Changes to user and group objects are tracked by the Account Management audit category. However, user accounts with enough privileges could potentially alter the files where the account and password information is stored in the system, bypassing any Account Management events.

Event volume: High on domain controllers
Note: For information about reducing the number of events generated in this subcategory, see article 841001 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=121698).

If this policy setting is configured, the following events are generated. The events appear on computers running Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

• 4659: A handle to an object was requested with intent to delete.
• 4660: An object was deleted.
• 4661: A handle to an object was requested.
• 4663: An attempt was made to access an object.