Public-works engineers still open network gear with Telnet and push firmware over FTP, and cleartext credentials appear in packet captures. Which change best improves administrative protocol security?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation
Cleartext admin is like shouting the vault combo across the pump-station floor. Swap Telnet and FTP for SSH and TLS-wrapped transfers so the credentials and commands ride encrypted instead of in the open.
Full Explanation
Secure protocol selection replaces cleartext management channels (Telnet, FTP) with encrypted alternatives such as SSH and TLS-based transfers. Subnet renumbering, blocking ICMP, or lengthening passwords do not encrypt the session, so credentials remain exposed to interception on the wire.