Fat

I came across this question while I was doing Sec+ practice exams. I learned these File Systems on A+ but I don't know why it popped out in the Sec+ since it has nothing to do with IT Security. Anyway, is this the wrong answer they had given because I thought all OS support FAT 32..not FAT.

Which of the below are file systems that can be used on windows Operating System?

A. FAT

B. FAT32

C. NTFS

D. ext4

Answer : A

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

NetworkNewb

FAT32 is just a version of FAT

Phalanx

FAT is the 16-bit version of FAT32.

Also, I'm not sure that question might be quite accurate. They don't mention which version of Windows. Windows 10 natively supports NTFS, FAT (16,32,ex) and ReFS, for example.

As for installing it, you would need NTFS.

Why is it a security related question? NTFS permissions.

jibtech

Honestly, I think the question was probably which filesystem CANNOT be used on the Windows Operating System.

The answer would be

ext4.

TechGuru80

jibtech wrote: »

Honestly, I think the question was probably which filesystem CANNOT be used on the Windows Operating System.

I agree...best practice is to use NTFS on Windows and I can’t imagine anything to do with Security recommending anything but NTFS.

NetworkNewb

To be nitpicking, Windows NTFS cannot be read on Windows 95 or 98. FAT can be read on all versions of Windows

Pseudonym

Phalanx wrote: »

FAT is the 16-bit version of FAT32.

Also, I'm not sure that question might be quite accurate. They don't mention which version of Windows. Windows 10 natively supports NTFS, FAT (16,32,ex) and ReFS, for example.

As for installing it, you would need NTFS.

Why is it a security related question? NTFS permissions.

Don't forget EFS encryption.

jibtech

NetworkNewb wrote: »

To be nitpicking, Windows NTFS cannot be read on Windows 95 or 98. FAT can be read on all versions of Windows

That is part of why I think the question was intended to be NOT usable on a Windows OS. No matter the version, ext4 is not usable on a Windows OS.

Phalanx

jibtech wrote: »

That is part of why I think the question was intended to be NOT usable on a Windows OS. No matter the version, ext4 is not usable on a Windows OS.

Not natively.

cyberguypr

coldbug wrote: »

... since it has nothing to do with IT Security.

You may want to rethink this statement and make sure you never make such a comment in an interview or other business setting. NTFS security features (file level permissions, encryption, etc.) are GIANT compared against FAT.

jibtech

Phalanx wrote: »

Not natively.

Nope. Not opening that can of worms. If CompTIA certs required knowing everything that COULD be configured.... holy hell.

TechGuru80

jibtech wrote: »

Nope. Not opening that can of worms. If CompTIA certs required knowing everything that COULD be configured.... holy hell.

Actually...you could just start off every response with “technically” or “officially” and you are good.

coldbug

cyberguypr wrote: »

You may want to rethink this statement and make sure you never make such a comment in an interview or other business setting. NTFS security features (file level permissions, encryption, etc.) are GIANT compared against FAT.

I did not notice any of these File Permissions on any of Security+ materials I have been studying. Yes. I did kind of forget about the Encryption within the file system.

jibtech

I went ahead and looked it up. According to the Sybex Cert Guide, issues around FAT, FAT32 and NTFS are covered under OS Hardening, which is part of Objective 4.3.

Aside from testing baseline knowledge, the exam also covers the "convert" command, as applied to FAT and FAT32. Effective use of the convert command requires a solid understanding of the three filesystems (FAT, FAT32 and NTFS), why you would convert, how you would convert what the results of the conversion would be.

Phalanx

Interestingly, Windows 10/Server 2016 now supports encryption on FAT32! Little tidbit for you all.

deadjoe

exFAT anyone?

Regardless, NTFS has security features such as: permissions, auditing, file encryption... FAT is a poor choice with regards to security, a basic file system with zero security features.

coldbug

jibtech wrote: »

I went ahead and looked it up. According to the Sybex Cert Guide, issues around FAT, FAT32 and NTFS are covered under OS Hardening, which is part of Objective 4.3.

Aside from testing baseline knowledge, the exam also covers the "convert" command, as applied to FAT and FAT32. Effective use of the convert command requires a solid understanding of the three filesystems (FAT, FAT32 and NTFS), why you would convert, how you would convert what the results of the conversion would be.

I think this thread pretty much covered what I needed to know for the exam lol. Thanks guys.