A systems administrator has recently purchased and installed a large electronic signage screen for the company's parking garage.
The screen's management software was installed on a server with a public IP address to allow remote management.
The systems administrator is now troubleshooting an issue with the screen displaying unknown, random, and inappropriate messages.
Which of the following is MOST effective in resolving this issue?
A.
Changing the management software's default credentials B.
Disabling unnecessary services from the server and management software C.
Changing the management software's default port D.
Replacing the management software's self-signed certificate with a valid certificate.
A.
A systems administrator has recently purchased and installed a large electronic signage screen for the company's parking garage.
The screen's management software was installed on a server with a public IP address to allow remote management.
The systems administrator is now troubleshooting an issue with the screen displaying unknown, random, and inappropriate messages.
Which of the following is MOST effective in resolving this issue?
A.
Changing the management software's default credentials
B.
Disabling unnecessary services from the server and management software
C.
Changing the management software's default port
D.
Replacing the management software's self-signed certificate with a valid certificate.
A.
The issue of unknown, random, and inappropriate messages displayed on the electronic signage screen indicates a security breach. The fact that the server running the management software has a public IP address suggests that the server is exposed to the internet, making it vulnerable to attacks from malicious actors.
To resolve this issue, the systems administrator needs to take steps to improve the security of the server and the management software. Of the options provided, changing the management software's default credentials is the most effective in resolving the issue.
Explanation of the answer options:
A. Changing the management software's default credentials: Default usernames and passwords are well-known to hackers, making them an easy target for brute-force attacks. Changing the default credentials to strong and unique ones can prevent unauthorized access to the server and the management software.
B. Disabling unnecessary services from the server and management software: This option can reduce the attack surface of the server and minimize the risk of exploits targeting vulnerable services. However, it may not be enough to address the issue of unauthorized access to the management software.
C. Changing the management software's default port: Changing the default port can make it harder for attackers to find the management software on the server. However, it is not a foolproof solution since attackers can use port scanning tools to identify the software running on non-standard ports.
D. Replacing the management software's self-signed certificate with a valid certificate: This option can improve the authenticity and security of the communication between the server and the management software. However, it does not address the issue of unauthorized access to the management software, which is the root cause of the problem.
In summary, changing the management software's default credentials is the most effective solution to address the issue of unknown, random, and inappropriate messages displayed on the electronic signage screen. However, it is also recommended to implement other security measures, such as disabling unnecessary services, using strong passwords, and keeping the management software up-to-date with security patches.