200-301 Question 402
Single answerA network administrator discovers that an attacker has successfully installed malicious software on a company server by exploiting a known vulnerability in an outdated operating system. Which of the following actions would best mitigate this type of threat in the future?
- A
Regularly update and patch the operating system
- B
Implement network segmentation to isolate the server
- C
Deploy a strong password policy across the organization
- D
Install an anti-virus program on user devices
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The scenario describes an exploit caused by a known vulnerability in an outdated operating system. Regularly updating and patching the operating system ensures that such vulnerabilities are addressed, preventing attackers from exploiting them. Other options, while beneficial for general security, do not directly address the root cause described in the scenario.
- A. Correct.
Regularly updating and patching the operating system addresses known vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of exploits targeting outdated software.
- B. Incorrect.
While network segmentation can limit the spread of an attack, it does not directly prevent the exploitation of a known vulnerability in the server's operating system.
- C. Incorrect.
A strong password policy is essential for overall security but does not mitigate vulnerabilities in outdated software.
- D. Incorrect.
Installing anti-virus software on user devices is good practice but does not address vulnerabilities in the server's operating system.