What approach should an administrator take to improve server security after identifying running services?

To improve server security after identifying running services, disabling unnecessary services is the most effective approach. Each service that runs on a server can present a potential entry point for attackers. By disabling services that are not required for the server's primary function, the attack surface is reduced. This minimizes the number of potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited, enhancing the overall security posture of the system.

In many cases, services may run with elevated privileges, and if they are not essential, they can create avenues for unauthorized access or compromise. By systematically turning off these extraneous services, administrators limit both the risk of an attack and the potential damage that could stem from a successful exploit.

While other approaches such as analyzing user permissions or documenting all services have their own benefits in fortifying overall security, they do not directly mitigate risks associated with running unnecessary services in the same immediate and impactful way. Increasing server performance can be advantageous for operational efficiency but does not specifically address security vulnerabilities related to services.