TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following security solutions prevents a user from reading a file which she did not create?

1. File Encryption

2. Access Control List (ACL)

3. Encrypting File System (EFS)

4. Firewall Protection

The correct answer is: Encrypting File System (EFS)

The Encrypting File System (EFS) is a feature of Windows that provides file encryption, ensuring that only designated users can access specific files. When a file is encrypted using EFS, it becomes unreadable to users who do not have the appropriate permissions or who did not create the file in the first place. This means that even if unauthorized users attempt to read the file, they will only see scrambled data, thus protecting the file’s contents. EFS works closely with the user's encryption keys to ensure that access is limited strictly to those users who have the rights to decrypt the file. Therefore, this system effectively prevents unauthorized users from reading a file they did not create, thereby securing sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality. In contrast, while File Encryption serves to secure files, it doesn't specifically control access based on user roles or ownership, like EFS does. Access Control Lists (ACLs), although they do define what users can or cannot access, do not inherently encrypt files, thus making them readable by those who have permissions. Firewall Protection is designed to prevent unauthorized access to a network rather than regulating access to individual files.