Question

What are three actions performed by the mysql_secure_installation tool?

a) It prompts you to set the root user account password.
b) It checks whether file permissions are appropriate within datadir.
c) It asks to remove the test database, which is generated at installation time.
d) It can delete any anonymous accounts.
e) It verifies that all users are configuration with the longer password hash.

Answer 1

The mysql_secure_installation tool helps secure a MySQL installation by setting the root password, removing anonymous accounts, and deleting the test database to prevent unauthorized access and improve overall security.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mysql_secure_installation tool is designed to improve the security of your MySQL installation in several respects. When using this tool, you will encounter various prompts that guide you through the process of securing your MySQL server.

• Setting the root password: One of the primary actions performed by this tool is prompting you to set a password for the MySQL root user, which is essential for securing your database from unauthorized access.
• Removing anonymous accounts: By default, MySQL installs with an anonymous user, allowing anyone to log in without a user account; the mysql_secure_installation tool can delete these anonymous accounts to prevent unwanted access.
• Removing the test database: This tool also asks to remove the test database that comes with the MySQL installation. This database can be accessed by anyone, and removing it is a critical step towards ensuring your database environment is secure.

These actions, among others, help to lock down the database and provide a more secure environment for handling data. It is highly recommended to run the mysql_secure_installation tool after installing MySQL to ensure these security measures are in place.