Question

To perform testing of open ports using a port scanner, you will need Nmap port scanner installed on your system. Although you want to close any unnecessary ports, ports are opened to provide a benefit to users. Enabling Windows Firewall and closing ports will reduce the utility of a system, and many potentially desirable features of a system will no longer function. You must proceed cautiously and test the system to ensure the desirable features are still functional while making sure that you've closed as many ports as you can.

What is the procedure for this?
A) Close all ports to enhance security
B) Test and ensure desirable features are functional
C) Keep all ports open for user convenience
D) Disable Windows Firewall for optimal performance

Answer 1

The correct procedure is to test and ensure desirable features remain functional (Option B) after closing unnecessary ports while having Windows Firewall enabled. It's a balance between maintaining security and ensuring system utility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The procedure for ensuring that a system is secure while maintaining its utility involves testing and ensuring that desirable features remain functional. When using a tool like Nmap for port scanning, the common practice is to:

1. Identify and close any unnecessary open ports to enhance system security.
2. Enable Windows Firewall to provide a first line of defense against unauthorized access.
3. Test the system to make certain that closing the ports does not disrupt important services and features.
4. Proceed cautiously, reopening any ports that were closed but are needed for essential functionality.

Closing all ports or keeping all ports open are not recommended practices, as they either severely limit the functionality or leave the system vulnerable. Disabling the Windows Firewall for optimal performance is equally inadvisable, as it removes a critical security feature.