What is not a common solution to harden workstations against malware attacks?

Using disk encryption is indeed not considered a common solution specifically aimed at hardening workstations against malware attacks. While disk encryption provides vital security benefits, such as protecting data at rest from unauthorized access, it does not directly prevent malware infections or mitigate their impact on the system.

In contrast, installing antivirus software is a proactive measure designed specifically to detect, prevent, and remove malware. It actively scans for malicious software and alerts users about threats, making it an essential component of a workstation's security posture.

Applying operating system updates is critical, as these updates often include patches for vulnerabilities that malware might exploit. Keeping the operating system updated helps secure the workstation from both known and emerging threats.

Configuring firewalls is another preventive measure that helps to block unauthorized access and can filter incoming and outgoing traffic to protect against malware that attempts to connect to external command and control servers.

In summary, while disk encryption secures the data itself, it does not actively counteract malware threats in real-time as the other options do.