Network Plus Certification Practice Test

When preparing to apply a standard configuration template to a router, two key hardening steps should come first: changing the default login credentials and updating the firmware. Default usernames and passwords are widely known, so leaving them in place creates an easy entry point for unauthorized access—even before the template is applied. Replacing them with strong, unique credentials closes that common vulnerability. Updating the firmware is equally important because it provides security patches and fixes reliability issues that could cause the template to behave unexpectedly or leave the device exposed to known exploits. Tools like setting a hostname or configuring SNMP, or even enabling SSH, are valuable for management, but they aren’t as critical as ensuring secure access and current software before deploying a template.