Security

Correct Answer: Apply patches to a test environment first

The best practice for testing security patches before deploying them to production systems is to apply patches to a test environment first. This approach allows organizations to:

1. Verify patch functionality: Ensure the patch works as intended and fixes the intended vulnerabilities.
2. Identify potential conflicts: Detect any compatibility issues with existing software or systems.
3. Assess performance impact: Evaluate if the patch affects system performance or causes unexpected behavior.
4. Develop mitigation strategies: If issues are found, create plans to address them before production deployment.
5. Refine deployment processes: Fine-tune the patch deployment procedure for smoother production rollout.

The other options are not ideal:

Deploying patches directly to all systems simultaneously is risky as it can lead to widespread issues if the patch causes problems.

Applying patches to critical systems first puts these essential systems at risk if the patches have unforeseen consequences.

Testing patches on a single production system before full deployment exposes that system to potential risks and may not fully represent the entire production environment.

By using a test environment, organizations can ensure patches are thoroughly vetted before affecting production systems, minimizing risks and potential downtime.

Correct Answer: Perform regular vulnerability assessments and patch identified vulnerabilities

Performing regular vulnerability assessments and patching identified vulnerabilities reduces the risk of a cyber attacker exploiting weaknesses to inject malware or compromise the website. This proactive approach helps improve overall security.

Correct Answer: Ransomware

This is a typical example of ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment, usually in the form of cryptocurrency, in exchange for the decryption key. The scenario described, where an application claims to clean the system but instead encrypts files and demands payment, aligns precisely with the behavior of ransomware. Adware primarily displays unwanted advertisements, a Trojan disguises itself as legitimate software to gain unauthorized access, and a worm self-replicates to spread across networks, none of which match the file encryption and ransom demand described in the question.