GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies Practice Test

What does the acronym UAC stand for in cybersecurity?

1. User Access Control

2. Universal Access Control

3. Unauthorized Access Control

4. User Authentication Control

The correct answer is: User Access Control

The acronym UAC stands for User Access Control in cybersecurity. This term refers to a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized changes to the operating system by prompting users for permission or an administrator password before allowing actions that could affect the operating system or other users. It is particularly important in the context of Windows operating systems, where it helps mitigate the risk of malware and protect system integrity by ensuring that only authorized users can make significant changes. User Access Control enhances security by enforcing the principle of least privilege, which means users operate with the minimum permissions necessary for their tasks. This helps in reducing the likelihood of accidental or malicious changes to system settings and software installations, safeguarding both user data and the overall system stability. While other options might refer to certain security concepts, they do not reflect the recognized standard meaning of the UAC acronym in cybersecurity. User Authentication Control, for instance, focuses on verifying user identities, which is a different area of security than access control.