What is one effective way a system administrator can combat false positives in vulnerability alerts?

A system administrator can effectively combat false positives in vulnerability alerts by reviewing logs. This process allows the administrator to investigate the context surrounding the alerts and understand the circumstances under which the vulnerabilities were flagged. By examining log entries related to the alerts, the administrator can identify patterns or specific conditions that lead to a false positive.

Reviewing logs can also help in correlating alerts with system behavior, user activities, and any recent changes that might have triggered the alert. This thorough analysis is essential in discerning whether an alert is a genuine concern or simply a result of the scanning tool misinterpreting benign activity.

In comparison, the other options provide limited or ineffective strategies. While using different scanners might yield varying results, it does not address the underlying issue of false positives effectively. Ignoring the alerts can lead to significant security risks, as genuine vulnerabilities may go unaddressed. Contacting the vendor for updates can be useful, but it is more reactive and does not provide immediate insights into the legitimacy of current alerts. Thus, reviewing logs encompasses a proactive and insightful method for validating alerts and minimizing unnecessary alarm.