Question

Explain what OS hardening is and why it is important? In addition, explain what could happen if OS Hardening is not done properly.

Answer 1

OS Hardening :

It is procedure to making OS more secure by taking some actions such as configuring system and network component properly, deleting unused files and applying latest patches.

Hardening of the OS is the act of configuring an OS securely, updating it, creating policies and rules   to help govern the system in a secure manner, and removing unnecessary applications and services.

This is done to minimize a computer OS's exposure to threats and to mitigate possible risk.

It is impotant beacuse it reduce the chance of attack

The purpose of system hardening is to eliminate as many security risks as possible and  helps minimize these security vulnerabilities.

• Default and hardcoded passwords
• Passwords and other credentials stored in plain text files
• Unpatched software and firmware vulnerabilities
• program cleanup
• Remove your unnecessary account
• Encryt your file system

if OS Hardening is not done properly:

• Weak password can be difficult to protect against interactive brute force and easily hacked so,it can damage your system
• unauthorized can access to or from your private network if firewall is not turned on properly
• chance of attack is increased
• the performace will be  slow down
• decrease the security of the system