Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which countermeasure can help secure an IoT device from malicious activity?

1. Allow all incoming traffic

2. Enable all ports on the router

3. Monitor traffic on port 48101

4. Disable all firewalls

The correct answer is: Monitor traffic on port 48101

Monitoring traffic on specific ports, like port 48101, is a proactive measure that can help in identifying and mitigating malicious activities targeting IoT devices. By observing the data packets moving through this port, administrators can detect unusual patterns or anomalies that may indicate unauthorized access attempts, data exfiltration, or other security threats. This type of monitoring allows for timely intervention and response, ensuring that any potential attacks are identified quickly. In contrast, allowing all incoming traffic can leave IoT devices vulnerable to various types of attacks, as it opens the device to any potential threat without scrutiny. Enabling all ports on the router similarly exposes the network to numerous risks, as it does not limit the entry points for attackers who might exploit open ports. Disabling all firewalls undermines the security framework designed to protect devices on the network, leaving them completely unprotected against external threats. Therefore, monitoring traffic on a specific port is an effective countermeasure to enhance the security posture of IoT devices.