What does OS hardening aim to achieve?

Operating system (OS) hardening is a systematic approach to securing an OS by reducing its surface of vulnerability. The main objective of this process is to minimize the available attack vectors that could be exploited by malicious actors. This involves disabling unnecessary services, closing unused ports, and implementing strict access controls and security configurations. By making the OS more secure, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and the potential impact of a security breach.

The focus on reducing attack vectors is vital for maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information systems. A hardened OS is less likely to be compromised, which helps protect sensitive data and maintain overall system stability.

Other choices, such as increasing the number of services running, improving software compatibility, or enhancing user experience, do not align with the primary goal of OS hardening, which is fundamentally aimed at reinforcing security and minimizing risk. These aspects may be relevant to overall system management, but they do not directly contribute to the hardening process in a meaningful way.