CompTIA PenTest+ Practice Test

Which Windows-based remote access service doesn't require prior setup on the host being accessed?

1. Telnet

2. PsExec

3. Remote Desktop Connection

4. TeamViewer

The correct answer is: PsExec

The most suitable choice for a Windows-based remote access service that doesn't require prior setup on the host being accessed is TeamViewer. This application is designed to facilitate remote control and support without requiring extensive configurations on the computer that is being accessed, making it user-friendly for immediate use. TeamViewer operates by installing a lightweight client on the host machine. Once this client is running, the user can access their machine from any other device equipped with TeamViewer, as long as they have the correct session ID and password. This functionality allows for remote access to be established quickly, with minimal prior configuration effort needed from the host user. In contrast, Telnet necessitates the enabling of a Telnet server on the host, typically requiring network configurations and sometimes firewall adjustments. Remote Desktop Connection also requires the host machine's remote desktop service to be enabled and properly configured through system settings. PsExec operates as a command-line utility that allows for remote execution of processes on other systems, but this too requires appropriate configurations and permissions to be set up in advance—a requirement not shared by TeamViewer.