An IT technician is hardening standalone Windows desktops used in a shared laboratory environment. To minimize the system's vulnerability to unauthorized network-based administrative access and remote configuration changes, the technician needs to disable non-essential background services. Which of the following services should be disabled to prevent remote users from modifying the system registry over the network?
- Remote RegistryAnswer
- BTask Scheduler
- CWindows Management Instrumentation (WMI)
- DCredential Manager
Answer
Disabling the Remote Registry service is the best workstation hardening practice to stop unauthorized remote registry modifications over the network.
Disabling the Remote Registry service prevents users across the network from querying or altering the local Windows registry, directly reducing the workstation's remote attack surface without impacting normal local user operations.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Disabling Unnecessary Services and Hardening System Baselines