Which signs indicate that a device may have been tampered with or substituted?

Which signs indicate that a device may have been tampered with or substituted?

• A. Regular software updates completed on schedule.
• B. Unusual customer complaints.
• C. Periodically inspect device surfaces to detect tampering or substitution; signs include unexpected attachments or changes to serial numbers.
• D. Devices never fail.

Answer: (C)

Detecting physical tampering or substitution of devices relies on looking for tangible signs that the hardware has been altered. Periodically inspecting device surfaces to detect tampering is the practical way to catch these issues. Signs to watch for include unexpected attachments, seals that have been broken, or changes to serial numbers. These indicators point to someone having modified or swapped parts, which could compromise cardholder data. Regular software updates on a schedule aren’t evidence of tampering; they’re routine maintenance. Unusual customer complaints are too vague to reliably indicate hardware tampering. And the idea that devices never fail is incorrect and not related to whether a device has been tampered with. Focusing on physical indicators provides a clear, proactive method to verify device integrity.

Detecting physical tampering or substitution of devices relies on looking for tangible signs that the hardware has been altered. Periodically inspecting device surfaces to detect tampering is the practical way to catch these issues. Signs to watch for include unexpected attachments, seals that have been broken, or changes to serial numbers. These indicators point to someone having modified or swapped parts, which could compromise cardholder data.

Regular software updates on a schedule aren’t evidence of tampering; they’re routine maintenance. Unusual customer complaints are too vague to reliably indicate hardware tampering. And the idea that devices never fail is incorrect and not related to whether a device has been tampered with. Focusing on physical indicators provides a clear, proactive method to verify device integrity.