After building a new file server, an administrator reviews the security baseline and notices that a remote desktop service is enabled even though no one uses it. What is the best hardening action?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
Distractor review
Keep the service enabled in case someone needs it later
Leaving unused services on increases the attack surface without a clear business need.
Best answer
Disable the unnecessary service
Removing unused services reduces attack surface and aligns the server with the secure baseline.
Distractor review
Change the server name to make it harder to find
Obscuring a name does not remove the service or its associated risk.
Distractor review
Increase disk space on the server
More storage does not reduce exposure from an unnecessary network service.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable the unnecessary service — Disabling an unnecessary service is a core hardening step because every running service can create exposure through bugs, misconfiguration, or unwanted remote access. A secure baseline should include only the features and ports required for the server's role. Removing unused functionality is one of the fastest ways to lower attack surface and reduce configuration drift over time. Why others are wrong: Keeping the service enabled preserves risk without adding business value. Renaming the server may slow casual discovery, but it does not remove the vulnerable component. Adding storage does nothing to improve the server's security posture or hardening level.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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