During a routine audit, a security analyst notices a consistent and unexpected increase in resource usage on a typically low-activity file server. This elevation does not align with any authorized system updates or user operations. What is the MOST probable explanation for this observation?
The system may be compromised by unauthorized software performing resource-intensive operations.
The server's cooling system is malfunctioning, resulting in performance inconsistencies.
A recent application misconfiguration is causing known processes to utilize more resources than usual.
Routine software updates are pending, causing a temporary rise in system resource demand.
A sudden, unexplained rise in processor or memory usage is a classic sign of malicious software quietly performing resource-intensive tasks, such as cryptocurrency mining or botnet activity. Because no maintenance events or user workloads justify the spike, unauthorized software is the most likely culprit. An application misconfiguration would usually be traceable to a recent change request, while a failing cooling system reduces performance through thermal throttling rather than driving usage higher. Pending updates can cause temporary resource spikes, but they are normally logged and scheduled, making the activity predictable rather than persistent and unexplained.
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