SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
A security engineer is hardening a Linux server. Which TWO actions are recommended to reduce the attack surface? (Select TWO.)
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Remove unnecessary services and daemons
Removing unnecessary services and disabling unused accounts reduce the number of potential entry points for attackers.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Remove unnecessary services and daemons
Why this is correct
Reduces attack surface by eliminating unused services.
- ✓
Disable unused user accounts
Why this is correct
Unused accounts can be exploited; disabling them reduces risk.
- ✗
Install a web server for management
Why it's wrong here
Adding a web server increases attack surface.
- ✗
Set umask to 000
Why it's wrong here
umask 000 gives full permissions, which is insecure.
- ✗
Enable IPv6 routing
Why it's wrong here
Enabling IPv6 could increase attack surface if not needed.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SSCP exam.