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SSCP Practice Question: A system administrator is hardening a Windows…
A system administrator is hardening a Windows server. Which two of the following are effective hardening measures? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers think removing administrative shares breaks legitimate management tasks, but in reality, modern tools like PowerShell Remoting or Group Policy do not rely on hidden shares, making this a safe and effective hardening step.
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
✓
Disable unnecessary services
Disabling unnecessary services reduces the attack surface by removing potential entry points for malware or unauthorized access. On Windows Server, services like Print Spooler or Windows Search may be disabled if not needed, as they have historically been exploited (e.g., PrintNightmare). This aligns with the principle of least functionality.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Disable unnecessary services
Why this is correct
Reduces potential attack vectors.
- ✗
Set file permissions to Everyone: Full Control
Why it's wrong here
Overly permissive; violates least privilege.
- ✓
Remove administrative shares
Why this is correct
Prevents remote access to system drives.
- ✗
Enable guest account with strong password
Why it's wrong here
Guest account should be disabled.
- ✗
Use Telnet for remote management
Why it's wrong here
Telnet transmits in cleartext; use SSH.
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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.