What does system hardening involve regarding default settings?

System hardening involves enhancing the security of a system by reducing its surface of vulnerability. Disabling default accounts is a critical component of this process because default accounts often come with default passwords and permissions that are well-known and easily exploitable by attackers. These accounts may give unauthorized users full access to the system if left enabled, creating significant security risks.

By disabling default accounts, organizations significantly reduce potential entry points for threat actors. This action restricts access to only those who require it, ideally through custom accounts that follow strong password policies and privilege management practices. This process helps ensure that only authorized personnel can access system resources, aligning with best practices in security and compliance.

While maintaining default configuration settings, implementing additional systems, or securing non-default ports might have their own merits, they do not directly address the vulnerabilities that arise from default accounts. Therefore, disabling default accounts stands out as a key measure in the system hardening process.