Free and Premium CompTIA 220-1102 Dumps Questions Answers

In the Windows OS, to grant a user permissions equivalent to root-level permissions (which means full control over the system), the user needs to be given:

Administrator: The Administrator role provides full control over the system, including the ability to install and uninstall software, change system settings, and access all files and directories.

Power: The Power User role provides some administrative capabilities but not full control. It is a legacy role with fewer permissions than Administrator.

Default: This refers to a standard user account with limited permissions.

Superuser: This term is more commonly associated with Unix/Linux systems and is not a specific role in Windows.

For rendering video, the most critical component a customer should prioritize in a desktop is:

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): The GPU is specifically designed to handle complex graphics and video rendering tasks. A powerful GPU will significantly improve performance in video rendering applications.

NIC (Network Interface Card): Important for network connectivity but irrelevant for video rendering.

USB: Useful for peripherals but does not impact video rendering capabilities.

HDMI: An important output interface for connecting monitors but not crucial for the rendering process itself.

When a system administrator discovers a user's PC running slowly with 100% CPU utilization, it often indicates that the system is being used for unauthorized purposes, such as being part of a botnet attack. Here’s why:

Botnet attack: Botnets are networks of computers infected with malware and controlled by an attacker. These infected computers (bots) are often used to carry out tasks like sending spam or participating in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The high CPU utilization and resource usage indicate that the computer might be performing tasks dictated by the botnet controller.

Firewall activities: While firewall activities can use some resources, they generally do not cause sustained high CPU utilization.

DDoS attack: DDoS attacks target external systems by overwhelming them with traffic. A system participating in a DDoS might have high network usage, but the primary symptom on the user’s PC would be high network activity, not necessarily CPU usage.

Keylogger attack: Keyloggers record keystrokes and generally do not cause high CPU utilization. They are more stealthy and have minimal resource footprints.

Since both developer mode and the ability to install apps from unknown sources are enabled, the technician should check for Malicious applications (Option B). Unknown sources can allow unverified apps that may include malware or apps that use excessive background data without the user's knowledge. Checking for malicious apps is essential in this scenario.

Storage cache (Option A) would not typically cause high data usage.

Privacy settings (Option C) control data sharing and permissions but don't directly impact data usage.

Permissions (Option D) might help identify apps using data, but the focus should be on apps that could be malicious.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.7 - Explain common methods for securing mobile devices, including detecting and preventing malware​.

In this scenario, the user cannot access a separate subnet, and all other checks (credentials, network stability, and permissions) have been verified. The next logical step is to check if the user's IP address is being blocked by a firewall.

Option A: Consult with the firewall team to see if the user's IP address is blockedFirewalls can block specific IP addresses, preventing access to certain network segments. Given the problem's nature and the steps already taken, this is the most logical next step to ensure the user's IP is not inadvertently blocked.

Option B: Delete the user’s credentials and create new onesThis step is unnecessary since the credentials have already been verified as correct.

Option C: Run a virus scan on the user's workstationWhile important for overall security, a virus scan is unlikely to resolve an issue specific to accessing a subnet if the problem does not affect other users.

Option D: Update the network drivers on the user’s workstationIf the network connection is stable and the issue is isolated to accessing a specific subnet, network drivers are unlikely to be the cause.

References:

CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Objective 2.0 (Security), particularly firewall settings​​.

Detailed Explanation with Core 2 References:If multiple unsuccessful attempts led to the account being locked, the technician should unlock the account. Core 2 covers user account management practices, including unlocking accounts and managing failed login attempts (Core 2 Objective 2.5)​.

Drilling is a method of physically damaging the hard drive by drilling holes through it, which renders the drive inoperable. However, it is not a secure method for ensuring data cannot be recovered. Methods such as wiping or degaussing are more secure.

Time drift occurs when the internal clock of a computer is not properly synchronized, often leading to discrepancies like being an hour behind. In this case, the workstation is the only device affected, indicating that it's likely a local issue. Time drift can happen if the system clock isn't syncing properly with an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server or if automatic daylight savings adjustments aren't enabled. It's less likely to be a CMOS battery issue since the technician has already verified the correct date and the system clock isn’t completely reset (which is what happens when the CMOS battery fails).

References:

Troubleshooting Time Synchronization Issues in Windows​ (Help Desk Geek)​ (Zendesk)

Detailed Explanation with Core 2 References:The default gateway directs network traffic to external networks. If the traffic is still going to the old firewall, updating the gateway setting will redirect it to the new firewall. This task is part of network configuration management covered in Core 2 (Core 2 Objective 2.5)​.

The user should configure extensions/add-ins. Since the issue involves a browser plug-in, checking if the extension or add-in is enabled or properly configured can resolve the issue. If the plug-in is disabled, the OTP prompt will not appear as expected.

Disk encryption is the best method for securing a workstation used in financial transactions, such as point-of-sale systems. It ensures that if the workstation is stolen, all data on the disk is encrypted and cannot be accessed without proper credentials. File encryption (B) only encrypts individual files, and USB drive encryption (C) only applies to removable storage. Data-in-transit encryption (A) is not relevant for physical security.

When a user needs to install optional features for a program that is already installed, the technician should:

Go to Programs and Features: Access this via the Control Panel.

Select the program: Find the installed program in the list.

Click on Change: The "Change" option allows modifications to the installed program, such as adding or removing features, without completely uninstalling and reinstalling the program.

This method is the most efficient and avoids unnecessary reinstallation of the software, which could lead to data loss or require reconfiguration.

When disposing of e-waste, it is important to ensure that the data on the equipment is securely destroyed and that the disposal process complies with environmental regulations.

Non-disclosure agreement: Relates to confidentiality, not disposal.

Certification of destruction: The correct document verifying that the equipment has been disposed of in accordance with regulations and standards, ensuring data is irretrievably destroyed.

Low-level formatting: A method to wipe data but does not guarantee compliance with e-waste disposal regulations.

Shredding/drilling: Physical destruction methods that might be used, but certification of destruction is the documentation needed.

To ensure that Windows 10 laptops can automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks when employees take them home, the appropriate configuration is:

Network and Internet settings: These settings allow users to manage Wi-Fi connections, configure automatic connections to known networks, and manage network profiles.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi.

Ensure the option to connect automatically to the home Wi-Fi network is enabled.

Windows Firewall settings: These are used to manage firewall rules and do not control Wi-Fi connectivity.

Devices and Printers: Used for managing connected devices and printers, not for network connections.

Personalization settings: These settings are for customizing the appearance of the Windows interface and do not affect network connections.

In forensic investigations, maintaining the integrity of the evidence is crucial. The chain of custody is a process that ensures that evidence has been collected, preserved, and transferred in a manner that is legally defensible.

Valid license: Refers to software licensing, irrelevant in this context.

Data retention requirements: Policies for how long data should be kept, but not specifically related to tracking forensic evidence.

Material safety data sheet: Documentation for handling hazardous materials, not applicable here.

Chain of custody: The correct process for documenting the handling and transfer of evidence to maintain its integrity and admissibility in court.

When an organization refuses to pay the ransom for a decryption key after a ransomware attack, and all traces of the infection have been removed, the next critical step is:

Restore critical data from backup: This is the most effective way to recover from a ransomware attack without paying the ransom. Assuming the organization has good backup practices, the backups should be free from infection and can be restored to get the systems operational again.

Scan all of the infected files with up-to-date, anti-malware cleaning software: This step is important during the infection removal process but does not address restoring the encrypted files.

Fully patch the server operating systems hosting the fileshares: While this is necessary to prevent future attacks, it does not recover the encrypted files.

Change the files to be read-only: This will not help recover the encrypted data.

Refreshing local Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) settings and deleting the Windows Update cache are effective steps in resolving issues with Windows 10 not installing updates. These actions help in rectifying any corrupt update files and ensuring that the workstation is properly communicating with the update servers, which can resolve errors during manual and automatic update installations.

When troubleshooting a printer that was previously working but is no longer recognized by a workstation, Event Viewer is the most appropriate tool to check for historical logs and events related to the printer and the system.

Option A: Performance MonitorPerformance Monitor is used for monitoring system performance and resources in real-time and does not provide specific historical event logs related to device failures.

Option B: Devices and PrintersDevices and Printers show the status and properties of connected devices but do not provide a historical log of events or errors.

Option C: Task SchedulerTask Scheduler manages and monitors scheduled tasks but does not log hardware events or errors.

Option D: Event ViewerEvent Viewer logs system events, including errors, warnings, and information related to hardware and software. It is ideal for checking what happened prior to the printer failure.

References:

CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Objective 3.1 (Troubleshoot common Windows OS problems), particularly using Event Viewer for diagnosing issues​​.

For managing permissions where a specific folder needs to have different access controls than its parent, turning off inheritance for that specific folder is the correct approach.

Option A: Turn off inheritance on the requested folder only and set the requested permissions to each file manuallyThis is partially correct, but setting permissions manually for each file is inefficient and error-prone.

Option B: Turn off inheritance at the top-level folder and remove all inherited permissionsThis action would disrupt permissions for all other folders and files, not just the confidential folder.

Option C: Turn off inheritance at the top-level folder and set permissions to each file and subfolder manuallyThis approach is overly broad and inefficient, impacting more than just the specific folder that needs restricted access.

Option D: Turn off inheritance on the requested folder only, set the requested permissions, and then turn on inheritance under the child foldersThis ensures the specific folder has unique permissions while allowing those permissions to propagate to its children, maintaining security and ease of management.

References:

CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Objective 2.5 (Manage and configure basic security settings in the Windows OS), particularly file and folder permissions and inheritance settings​​.

Event Viewer (Option A) is the appropriate tool to check for system and application logs, including error messages and crash reports. It helps the technician determine the cause of the crashes by reviewing logged events.

Resource Monitor (Option B) tracks real-time usage of system resources but doesn't log errors.

Performance Monitor (Option C) monitors system performance but isn't primarily used for crash diagnostics.

Device Manager (Option D) manages hardware devices but doesn't provide crash logs.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

3.1 - Troubleshoot common Windows OS problems using tools like Event Viewer

Detailed Explanation with Core 2 References:Rack-mounted UPS units are often heavy, so technicians should seek assistance to lift them to avoid injury, following safety procedures. Core 2 includes handling hardware safely as part of best practices (Core 2 Objective 4.4)​.

When dealing with a malware-infected system, isolating the system from the network and disabling System Restore are critical initial steps. The next step in the malware removal process should be:

Perform an antivirus scan: This helps to identify and remove the malware from the system. Running a thorough scan using updated antivirus software is essential to detect and clean any malicious files.

Run Windows updates: This is important for system security but should be done after the malware is removed to avoid further issues.

Reimage the system: This is a more drastic measure and should be considered if the antivirus scan cannot fully clean the system.

Enable System Restore: This should only be done after the system is confirmed to be clean.

Time Machine is the built-in backup feature for macOS that allows users to back up their system automatically. It continuously backs up everything on the Mac, including files, applications, system files, and settings, allowing users to restore their system to a previous state if needed. Time Machine operates by creating hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for all previous months. Other options like "Mission Control" help in organizing windows, while "System Restore" is a feature more common in Windows operating systems, not macOS.

References:

Apple Support: Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac

CompTIA A+ Study Guide - Backup and Recovery Concepts in macOS​ (Whizlabs)

Pop-up blockers can sometimes prevent essential pop-up windows required by websites to display transaction details.

Clear the browser cache: Helps with loading issues but not specific to pop-ups.

Disable the pop-up blocker: The correct solution, as it allows the blocked pop-up to be displayed.

Configure private browsing: Prevents storing browsing data but does not affect pop-ups.

Verify valid certificates: Ensures secure connections but does not resolve pop-up issues.

To import a new digital certificate and place it in the proper location, the technician should use the "Internet Options" utility in the Control Panel. This utility allows users to manage various settings related to internet connections and security, including the import and management of digital certificates under the "Content" tab.

B. Network and Sharing Center is used for managing network connections and sharing settings but not for managing digital certificates.

C. Credential Manager is used to store and manage login credentials for websites and applications but not for importing digital certificates.

D. Security and Maintenance provides an overview of the security and maintenance status of the system but does not directly handle digital certificate management.

References:

CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Exam Objectives, Section 1.4: Using Control Panel utilities including Internet Options for managing digital certificates​​.

Using bootable antivirus media to scan the system is an effective method for removing a persistent virus. Booting from external antivirus media allows the system to scan for and remove malware without the infected operating system running, which can prevent the virus from hiding or resisting removal efforts that might occur within the active OS environment.

The first step is to check running applications (Option B). Applications running in the background could consume a lot of battery and processing power, causing slow performance and battery drain. By identifying and closing or uninstalling these apps, the technician can resolve the issue more effectively.

Uninstalling unused programs (Option A) might help, but checking active applications is more immediate.

Updating the mobile OS (Option C) can improve performance but is not the first step in this scenario.

Disabling network services (Option D) might help reduce battery drain but does not address potential app-related issues.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

3.4 - Troubleshoot common mobile OS and application issues, including battery and performance concerns​.

When a user experiences slow web page loading on their phone while in the office, the most likely cause is:

High network traffic: In an office environment, many devices are often connected to the network simultaneously, which can lead to congestion and slow internet speeds. High network traffic means more devices are competing for the same bandwidth, causing delays.

Exceeded the data usage limit: This typically applies to cellular data plans, not Wi-Fi in an office setting.

Sluggish response time: This is a symptom rather than a cause and can result from high network traffic.

Degraded network service: While this could be a factor, it is broader and less specific than high network traffic, which is more directly related to the user's experience.

To confirm whether a network printer has connectivity issues, the technician should use:

ping: This command checks the connectivity to the printer by sending packets and measuring the response time. It helps determine if the printer is reachable on the network.

netstat: Provides statistics and current network connections but does not directly confirm connectivity to a specific device.

net: Used for network resources management but not specifically for checking connectivity.

nslookup: Used for querying DNS to obtain domain name or IP address mapping, not for checking connectivity.

To manually add a workstation to a domain, the technician needs to access the System Properties menu where domain settings are configured.

User Accounts: Manages user accounts but does not handle domain membership.

System Properties: The correct place to add or change domain membership settings.

Windows Firewall: Manages firewall settings but not domain membership.

Network and Sharing: Manages network connections and sharing but not domain settings.

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) (Option D) is protected by government regulations. PII includes sensitive data such as names, addresses, social security numbers, and other information that can identify individuals. Various laws, such as GDPR and HIPAA, mandate the protection of PII.

DRM (Option A) refers to digital rights management, which controls access to digital media.

EULA (Option B) refers to software licensing agreements.

PCI (Option C) relates to payment card industry standards for handling cardholder information but is more specific to payment data than general PII.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

4.6 - Explain prohibited content and privacy concepts, including the protection of PII​.

In a Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) setup, the technician is most likely to configure mapped drives on a new PC. Mapped drives allow for easy access to shared resources such as files and printers on the network. This setup facilitates file sharing and collaboration within a small network, making it an essential configuration for SOHO environments.

When a smartphone is unable to download and install the latest OS update and is operating slower than expected, one of the first things to check is the available storage space. Operating system updates often require a significant amount of free space for downloading and installing, and insufficient space can prevent the update process from initiating or completing.

Available Storage Space: Smartphones use their internal storage to hold the OS, apps, user data, and temporary files needed for updates. If the storage is nearly full, the device can slow down due to the lack of space for writing temporary files and may not have enough space to download and install updates. Clearing up space can resolve these issues.

Checking application permissions (A) might be relevant for specific app-related issues but is less likely to affect OS updates. The battery charge level (C) can affect the initiation of an update, as some devices require a minimum charge level to start the update process, but it doesn't typically cause slow operation. While a stable Wi-Fi connection (D) is necessary for downloading updates, it's less likely to be the cause of slowed operation and update issues compared to insufficient storage space.

To prevent ransomware attacks via email, the most effective way is End user education (C). Educating users about the dangers of phishing emails, how to recognize suspicious emails, and the importance of not clicking on unknown links or attachments can significantly reduce the risk of ransomware infections. Awareness and training can empower users to act as the first line of defense against such cyber threats

When an email is encrypted and the recipient cannot open it, the issue typically revolves around the need for encryption keys. Encryption keys are used to encode and decode the email content, ensuring that only authorized recipients with the correct key can access the information. In this scenario, the user would need to receive the appropriate decryption key from the sender to unlock and read the encrypted email. This exchange ensures that sensitive information remains secure during transmission and is only accessible to intended recipients.

Disposing of SSDs (Solid State Drives) containing sensitive data requires methods that ensure the data cannot be recovered. SSDs store data on flash memory, which makes traditional data destruction methods like degaussing ineffective, as degaussing relies on demagnetizing the magnetic media found in traditional hard drives.

Incineration: This method ensures the complete destruction of the SSD by burning it at high temperatures. This process is effective as it physically destroys the flash memory chips, making data recovery impossible.

Shredding: Shredding involves physically breaking the SSD into small pieces. Specialized shredding machines designed for electronic media can cut the SSD into pieces small enough to render the data unrecoverable.

Other listed options such as Degaussing (A) is ineffective on SSDs because they don't use magnetic storage. Simple Deletion (B) and Formatting (E) are not secure methods for data destruction as the data can potentially be recovered using specialized software. Recycling (D) is environmentally friendly but does not guarantee data destruction if the drive is not physically destroyed first.

To troubleshoot a user's computer remotely while the user is connected, the best option is Microsoft Remote Assistance (MSRA). MSRA allows the technician to view and control the user's screen with their permission, facilitating an effective troubleshooting session without disconnecting the user.

To mitigate brute-force attacks, implementing a failed log-in lockout feature is effective. This security measure temporarily disables user accounts after a specified number of unsuccessful login attempts, preventing attackers from continuously trying different password combinations to gain unauthorized access.

BitLocker is a full-disk encryption feature included with Windows Vista and later. It is designed to protect data by providing encryption for entire volumes. By encrypting the hard drive, BitLocker prevents unauthorized access to the data stored on the drive, securing it in case the laptop is lost or stolen. BitLocker is preferable over options like Windows Backup (which is for data recovery, not encryption), Shadow Copy (used for backup and does not encrypt data), and Trusted Platform Module (TPM, which is a hardware component used alongside BitLocker for securing encryption keys).

SQL injection is a type of attack that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in a web application's database query software, allowing an attacker to send malicious SQL commands through the application to the database. These commands can manipulate the database and can lead to unauthorized data access or manipulation.

SQL injection: In the scenario described, the malicious user was able to export an entire website's user database by entering specific commands into a field on the company's website, which is a classic example of an SQL injection attack. This type of attack exploits vulnerabilities in the database layer of an application to execute unauthorized SQL commands.

Cross-site scripting (A) involves injecting malicious scripts into content from otherwise trusted websites. A brute-force attack (C) is an attempt to gain access to a system by systematically checking all possible keys or passwords until the correct one is found. A DDoS attack (D) is an attempt to make a machine or network resource unavailable to its intended users by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic.

After rebooting the phone, connecting to Wi-Fi, and disabling metered data, the next step the technician should take is to Clear the cache (D). Clearing the cache can resolve issues with the phone's performance and is often necessary before updating software to ensure that the updates can be downloaded and installed without issues. It removes temporary files that may be interfering with the update process​​.

When troubleshooting a Windows system that is experiencing issues during the OS loading phase at startup, enabling boot logging is a practical step. Boot logging creates a record of all drivers and services that are loaded (or attempted to be loaded) during the startup process. This record, typically named ntbtlog.txt, can be reviewed to identify any drivers or services that failed to load, which could be contributing to the startup issues. This diagnostic step helps pinpoint the problematic component(s) and facilitates targeted troubleshooting to resolve the OS loading issues.

To resolve an issue of low storage space on a Windows computer, the best approach is to Run Disk Cleanup (B). Disk Cleanup is a built-in utility that helps users free up space on their hard drives by deleting temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary files that are no longer needed, thereby resolving low storage space issues

An image backup captures a complete snapshot of the entire system at a specific point in time, including the operating system, installed applications, user profiles, and system settings. This method is most suitable for backing up the components listed in the question because it ensures that every aspect of the workstation, from the core OS to individual user settings, is preserved and can be restored in its entirety. This is crucial for quickly recovering a system to a fully operational state after a failure or when migrating to new hardware. Other methods like differential, synthetic, and archive backups do not provide the comprehensive one-step restoration capability that an image backup offers for the complete system recovery.

For scripted network installations requiring new SSDs and keeping HDDs as backup, the necessary tools are: 'net use' to connect to network shares, 'robocopy' to copy files efficiently from the network share to the local drive, and 'diskpart' to manage disk partitions, including initializing and formatting the new SSD. The other options are not relevant to the installation process as described.

To secure a SOHO wireless network, enabling WPA3 is the recommended option. WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) is the latest security certification program developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to secure wireless computer networks. It provides cutting-edge security protocols and cryptographic methods to enhance and replace its predecessors, WPA2 and WPA, offering improved protection against brute-force attacks and ensuring better privacy on public networks​​.

On macOS, uninstalling an application typically involves locating the app in Finder and dragging it to the Trash. This method is straightforward and commonly used for removing unwanted applications. The other options do not directly relate to the standard process of uninstalling applications on a Mac.

To implement a system that handles both authentication and authorization, TACACS+ (Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus) is the best option. TACACS+ is a security protocol that provides centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) services for networked access control, meeting the requirement for both authentication and authorization management.

When an Android device experiences slow boot times and application crashes after installing apps from a third-party website, scanning the system for malware is a critical first step. Third-party sources can often host malicious software that can compromise device performance and security. A malware scan can identify and remove such threats, potentially resolving the performance issues and application instability. Clearing the web browser cache, enrolling the device in an MDM system, and confirming app compatibility are useful steps but do not address the immediate concern of potential malware introduced by third-party app installations.

A rollback plan describes the process of reverting a system to its previous state after a failed upgrade or change. This ensures system stability and functionality by restoring known good configurations and is a crucial part of change management to minimize disruptions in case of unsuccessful updates.

When a user's cursor is moving on its own and unauthorized data transfer is occurring, the first step a technician should take is to Quarantine the workstation. This involves isolating the affected system from the network to prevent the spread of malware or unauthorized access to other parts of the network. Quarantining helps in containing the threat and provides a safe environment to investigate and remediate the issue without risking further contamination or data loss​​.

A boot sector virus infects the master boot record (MBR) of a hard drive, the sector that contains information required to start the operating system after the computer is turned on. This type of virus is particularly insidious because it loads into memory immediately upon booting and before most antivirus programs start. This makes it possible for the virus to evade detection and removal, and can easily reinfect a system even after the operating system is reinstalled if the boot sector is not cleaned.

Boot sector virus: Given that the malware infection returned after the OS reinstallation, it's likely that the virus was not removed from the boot sector during the reinstallation process. Reinstalling the OS without cleaning the boot sector won't remove the infection, allowing the virus to continue to affect the system.

Other options:

Trojan: A Trojan is a type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software. While Trojans can be persistent, the reinstallation of the OS should remove any Trojans unless they are reintroduced after installation.

Spyware: Spyware is designed to gather information about a person or organization without their knowledge. Like Trojans, spyware should be removed with an OS reinstallation unless it is reintroduced in some way.

Rootkit: Rootkits are designed to enable continued privileged access to a computer while actively hiding their presence. While a rootkit could potentially survive an OS reinstall if it infects the firmware or certain areas outside the OS, the scenario described points more specifically to a boot sector virus, especially considering the immediate return of the infection after OS reinstallation.

Group Policy is a feature in Windows that allows network administrators to manage and configure operating system, application settings, and user settings in an Active Directory environment. It can enforce password policies across the network, including password length requirements, making it the best tool for ensuring compliance with security policies.

For a company looking to transition away from face-to-face meetings, videoconferencing and screen-sharing software would be most beneficial.

Videoconferencing software allows participants to conduct virtual meetings with audio and video capabilities, effectively simulating a face-to-face interaction without the need for physical presence. This can greatly reduce travel costs and time while maintaining the personal touch of meetings.

Screen-sharing enables participants in a virtual meeting to view one another's computer screens in real time. This is particularly useful for presentations, collaborative work, and troubleshooting, as it allows for a more interactive and engaging meeting experience.

Both technologies support the company's goal of leveraging modern technology to enhance communication and collaboration while reducing reliance on physical meetings.

For securely disposing of SSDs, physical destruction methods like shredding are considered most effective:

Shredding: This method involves physically breaking the SSD into small pieces, making data recovery practically impossible. It's a recommended practice for ensuring that sensitive data on SSDs is irretrievably destroyed.

Improving password security is crucial to protect user accounts from unauthorized access. Requiring passwords to include four character types—uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters—significantly enhances password complexity. This diversity in characters makes passwords much harder to guess or crack using common methods like brute force attacks, thereby improving overall security.

Requiring four character types: This approach forces users to create more complex and less predictable passwords, reducing the risk of simple passwords that are easy to exploit.

Decreasing the password expiration times (B) can encourage users to change their passwords more frequently but does not directly address the issue of password complexity. Enabling an automatic lock timer (C) can add a layer of security by locking accounts after a period of inactivity, but it does not improve the strength of the passwords themselves. Adding two characters to the minimum password length (D) can help to some extent by making passwords longer, but without requiring a mix of character types, passwords might still remain relatively easy to guess or crack.

To safely upgrade the Microsoft Windows 10 OS, it is essential to backup critical data (C) and ensure that you have the necessary device drivers (D). Backing up critical data protects against potential data loss during the upgrade process. Having the correct device drivers ensures that the hardware components function properly with the new OS version, preventing issues like loss of functionality or compatibility problems​​.

The error "This site cannot be reached" often indicates a problem with DNS (Domain Name System) resolution, where the browser is unable to translate a website's domain name into its corresponding IP address. Since the laptop was set to use DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) at home, it's possible that it's not receiving the correct DNS server information from the home network, or the DNS servers it was using at work are not accessible from the home network.

DNS: Checking and possibly correcting the DNS settings to ensure they are appropriate for the home network might resolve the browsing issue. The user can try using public DNS servers like those provided by Google (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) if the default DNS servers provided by the home ISP are not working properly.

HTTPS (A) is a protocol for secure communication over a computer network but is not something that needs to be configured on the user's end to solve this type of issue. VLAN (B) stands for Virtual Local Area Network and is more related to network segmentation and management within larger networks, not typically applicable to home internet issues. SMTP (D) stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, which is used for sending emails, not for general web browsing issues.

For a company with geographically dispersed staff and the need to keep devices updated, using cloud-based endpoint management software is the most efficient method. This type of software allows IT administrators to remotely manage and push updates to company devices, regardless of their location. It ensures that all devices remain up to date with the latest security patches and software updates without requiring physical access or user intervention. This approach is scalable, reduces the risk of unpatched vulnerabilities, and is convenient for both the IT department and the end-users.

Configuring a static IP address for a network printer in a SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) environment ensures that the printer maintains the same IP address over time. This consistency is crucial for networked devices like printers, as computers and other devices rely on this specific address to connect to the printer. If the printer's IP address were to change (as it might with DHCP), devices would no longer be able to communicate with it without reconfiguration.

Static IP: Assigning a static IP address to the printer ensures it always uses the same IP, making it reliably accessible to all computers in the house regardless of network changes or router reboots.

DNS settings (A) are generally not necessary to configure directly on most network printers unless you're dealing with advanced network configurations or using the printer for scanning to email functions. WWAN (C) stands for Wireless Wide Area Network, which is not typically relevant for a standard network printer setup in a home or small office. Metered connection (D) is a Windows feature that helps reduce data usage on a connection, it's not relevant to configuring a printer's network settings.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure connection over the internet to a network, allowing a user to access shared files and corporate email as if they were directly connected to the network. This makes VPN the best tool for secure remote work access, compared to the other options which do not offer the same level of secure, remote network access.

Time Machine is a backup feature available in macOS that automatically makes hourly backups for the past 24 hours, daily backups for the past month, and weekly backups for all previous months to an external drive or NAS. It allows users to recover the entire system or specific files from any point in time, ensuring access to multiple versions of files. This feature is particularly useful for reverting to earlier versions of a document or recovering a file that has been accidentally deleted or altered. The other options, such as Multiple Desktops, Remote Disc, and FileVault, do not provide versioning capabilities for file access.

Folder redirection is a feature in Windows that allows administrators to change the default location of certain special folders within the user profile, such as the "Documents" folder, to a different location, typically on a network server. This is commonly used in organizational environments to centralize file storage, simplify backups, and ensure data is stored on network drives with potentially more robust security measures and redundancy.

Folder redirection: By implementing folder redirection through Group Policy in Active Directory, a company can ensure that all users' "Documents" folders are stored on a specified file server on the network, allowing for centralized management and backup of important user files.

Security groups (A) are used to manage user and computer access to shared resources, but they don't directly enable the relocation of user folders. Organizational unit structure (C) helps in managing and applying policies within Active Directory but is not directly related to the physical location of files. Access control lists (D) are used to define permissions for files and directories, but they do not govern where those files and directories should be located.

The "tracert" command is used to view the path that network traffic takes from a PC to a specified destination. It is helpful in identifying where along the path the traffic may be failing or experiencing delays. In the scenario where a customer service representative can't send jobs to a remote printer but can print locally, "tracert" can help diagnose if there's a network routing issue affecting the connection to the remote branch office.

The error “BOOTMGR is missing” indicates that the boot sector is damaged or missing1. The boot sector is a part of the hard disk that contains the code and information needed to start Windows1. To fix this error, one of the possible methods is to run Startup Repair from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)1. Startup Repair is a tool that can automatically diagnose and repair problems with the boot process2.

References: 1: “Bootmgr is missing Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart” error when you start Windows Startup Repair: frequently asked questions

The technician should perform a rollback of the Windows update that caused the issue with the locally attached devices. A rollback is a process of uninstalling an update and restoring the previous version of the system. This can help to fix any compatibility or performance issues caused by the update1. To rollback an update, the technician can use the Settings app, the Control Panel, or the System Restore feature. The technician should also check for any device driver updates that might be needed after rolling back the update. Disabling the Windows Update service is not a good practice, as it can prevent the system from receiving important security and feature updates. Checking for updates might not fix the issue, as the update that caused the issue might still be installed. Restoring hidden updates is not relevant, as it only applies to updates that have been hidden by the user to prevent them from being installed2.

References: 1:

Flashing the BIOS, reformatting the drive, and then reinstalling the OS is the best method for returning a computer with a malware infection to service. Flashing the BIOS updates the firmware of the motherboard and can remove any malware that may have infected it. Reformatting the drive erases all data on it and can remove any malware that may have infected it. Reinstalling the OS restores the system files and settings to their original state and can remove any malware that may have modified them. Scanning the system with a Linux live disc may not detect or remove all malware infections. Degaussing the hard drive is an extreme method of destroying data that may damage the drive beyond repair. Reinstalling the OS before flashing the BIOS or scanning with antivirus may not remove malware infections that persist in the BIOS or other files.

The tool that the technician should use to resolve the connection issues with the third-party USB adapter is devmgmt.msc. Devmgmt.msc is a command that opens the Device Manager, which is a utility that allows users to view and manage the hardware devices and drivers installed on a computer. The technician can use the Device Manager to check the status, properties and compatibility of the USB adapter and its driver, and perform actions such as updating, uninstalling or reinstalling the driver, enabling or disabling the device, or scanning for hardware changes. Taskschd.msc is a command that opens the Task Scheduler, which is a utility that allows users to create and manage tasks that run automatically at specified times or events. The Task Scheduler is not relevant or useful for resolving connection issues with the USB adapter. Eventvwr.msc is a command that opens the Event Viewer, which is a utility that allows users to view and monitor the system logs and events. The Event Viewer may provide some information or clues about the connection issues with the USB adapter, but it does not allow users to manage or troubleshoot the device or its driver directly. Diskmgmt.msc is a command that opens the Disk Management, which is a utility that allows users to view and manage the disk drives and partitions on a computer. The Disk Management is not relevant or useful for resolving connection issues with the USB adapter. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.6

Recovery is a Windows 10 utility that can be used to address the concern of a failed update that prevents an application from launching. Recovery allows the user to reset the PC, go back to a previous version of Windows, or use advanced startup options to troubleshoot and repair the system2. Device Manager, Administrator Tools, and Programs and Features are not Windows 10 utilities that can fix a failed update.

A possible cause of the user being redirected to unexpected websites is that the localhost file entries have been modified by malware or hackers to point to malicious or unwanted websites. The localhost file is a text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses and can override DNS settings. By examining the localhost file entries, a technician can identify and remove any suspicious or unauthorized entries that may cause the redirection issue. Enabling firewall ACLs may not resolve the issue if the firewall rules do not block the malicious or unwanted websites. Verifying the routing tables may not resolve the issue if the routing configuration is correct and does not affect the web traffic. Updating the antivirus definitions may help prevent future infections but may not remove the existing malware or changes to the localhost file. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.3QUESTION NO: 218a

A network technician installed a SOHO router for a home office user. The user has read reports about home routers being targeted by malicious actors and then used in DDoS attacks. Which of the following can the technician MOST likely do to defend against this threat?

A. Add network content filtering.

B. Disable the SSID broadcast.

C. Configure port forwarding.

D. Change the default credentials.

Answer: D

 One of the most effective ways to defend against malicious actors targeting home routers for DDoS attacks is to change the default credentials of the router. The default credentials are often well-known or easily guessed by attackers, who can then access and compromise the router settings and firmware. By changing the default credentials to strong and unique ones, a technician can prevent unauthorized access and configuration changes to the router. Adding network content filtering may help block some malicious or unwanted websites but may not prevent attackers from exploiting router vulnerabilities or backdoors. Disabling the SSID broadcast may help reduce the visibility of the wireless network but may not prevent attackers from scanning or detecting it. Configuring port forwarding may help direct incoming traffic to specific devices or services but may not prevent attackers from sending malicious packets or requests to the router. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 3.3

A keylogger is a type of malware that records the keystrokes of a user and sends them to a remote attacker. A keylogger can be used to steal passwords, credit card numbers, personal information, and other sensitive data. A keylogger can be delivered through a USB drive that contains a malicious executable file, such as grabber.exe, and an output file that stores the captured keystrokes, such as output.txt. The other options are not likely to use this method of attack. References: : :

Group Policy is the most likely tool to be used to change the security settings on a user’s device in a domain environment. Group Policy is a feature of Windows that allows administrators to manage and configure settings for multiple devices and users in a centralized way. Group Policy can be used to enforce security policies such as password complexity, account lockout, firewall rules, encryption settings, etc.

B. Startup Folder1: The Startup folder is a special folder that contains shortcuts to programs or scripts that will run automatically when a user logs on. The technician can create a shortcut to the script and place it in the Startup folder for the conference room computer or for all users.

E. Task Scheduler23: The Task Scheduler is a tool that allows you to create tasks that run at specified times or events. The technician can create a task that runs the script at logon for the conference room computer or for all users.

 Samba is a software suite that allows Linux servers and desktops to integrate with Windows Active Directory environments. Samba can act as a domain controller, a file server, a print server, or a client for Windows networks. Samba can also provide authentication and authorization services for Linux users and devices using Active Directory.

The technician should use the Personalization option in the Windows settings to enable a Screensaver lock. The Personalization option allows users to customize the appearance and behavior of their desktop, such as themes, colors, backgrounds, lock screen and screensaver. The technician can enable a Screensaver lock by choosing a screensaver from the drop-down menu, setting a wait time in minutes and checking the box that says “On resume, display logon screen”. This will lock the computer and require a password or PIN to log back in after the screensaver is activated. Ease of Access is an option in the Windows settings that allows users to adjust accessibility features and settings, such as narrator, magnifier, high contrast and keyboard shortcuts. Ease of Access is not related to enabling a Screensaver lock. Privacy is an option in the Windows settings that allows users to manage privacy and security settings, such as location, camera, microphone and app permissions. Privacy is not related to enabling a Screensaver lock. Update and Security is an option in the Windows settings that allows users to check and install updates, troubleshoot problems, backup files and restore system. Update and Security is not related to enabling a Screensaver lock. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.7

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a protocol that allows a technician to simultaneously view and control a user’s screen remotely. VNC uses a server-client model, where the user’s computer runs a VNC server and the technician’s computer runs a VNC client. VNC can work across different platforms and operating systems3. SSH (Secure Shell) is a protocol that allows a technician to access a user’s command-line interface remotely, but not their graphical user interface. VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection over a public network, but does not allow screen sharing. RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a protocol that allows a technician to access a user’s desktop remotely, but not simultaneously with the user.

RADIUS stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service and it is a protocol that provides centralized authentication, authorization, and accounting for network access. RADIUS can be used to implement a method of wireless security that requires both a user and the user’s computer to be in specific managed groups on the server in order to connect to Wi-Fi. This is also known as 802.1X authentication or EAP-TLS authentication

Operating system updates can sometimes cause compatibility issues with some applications, such as Outlook, that may prevent them from opening or working properly. This can happen if the update changes some system files or settings that Outlook relies on, or if the update conflicts with some Outlook add-ins or extensions. To fix this, the technician can try some of these troubleshooting steps:

Start Outlook in safe mode and disable add-ins. Safe mode is a way of starting Outlook without any add-ins or extensions that may interfere with its functionality. To start Outlook in safe mode, press and hold the Ctrl key while clicking on the Outlook icon. You should see a message asking if you want to start Outlook in safe mode. Click Yes. If Outlook works fine in safe mode, it means one of the add-ins is causing the problem. To disable add-ins, go to File > Options > Add-ins. In the Manage drop-down list, select COM Add-ins and click Go. Uncheck any add-ins that you don’t need and click OK. Restart Outlook normally and check if the issue is resolved4.

Create a new Outlook profile. A profile is a set of settings and information that Outlook uses to manage your email accounts and data. Sometimes, a profile can get corrupted or damaged and cause Outlook to malfunction. To create a new profile, go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profiles. Click Add and follow the instructions to set up a new profile with your email account. Make sure to select the option to use the new profile as the default one. Restart Outlook and check if the issue is resolved5.

Repair your Outlook data files. Data files are files that store your email messages, contacts, calendar events, and other items on your computer. Sometimes, data files can get corrupted or damaged and cause Outlook to malfunction. To repair your data files, you can use a tool called scanpst.exe, which is located in the same folder where Outlook is installed (usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16). To use scanpst.exe, close Outlook and locate the tool in the folder. Double-click on it and browse to the location of your data file (usually C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook). Select the file and click Start to begin the scanning and repairing process. When it’s done, restart Outlook and check if the issue is resolved.

Run the /resetnavpane command. The navigation pane is the panel on the left side of Outlook that shows your folders and accounts. Sometimes, the navigation pane can get corrupted or damaged and cause Outlook to malfunction. To reset the navigation pane, press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, or open the Command Prompt. Type outlook.exe /resetnavpane and hit Enter. This will clear and regenerate the navigation pane settings for Outlook. Restart Outlook and check if the issue is resolved.

The software is most likely to install by default in the /Applications directory, which is the standard location for macOS applications. This directory can be accessed from the Finder sidebar or by choosing Go > Applications from the menu bar. The /Applications directory contains all the applications that are available to all users on the system1. Some applications might also offer the option to install in the ~/Applications directory, which is a personal applications folder for a single user2. The /etc/services directory is a system configuration file that maps service names to port numbers and protocols3. The /usr/bin directory is a system directory that contains executable binaries for various commands and utilities4. The C:\Program Files directory is a Windows directory that does not exist on macOS.

The error message “Your connection is not private. Authority invalid.” means that the web browser cannot verify the identity or security of the website’s SSL certificate. This could indicate that the website has been compromised, has a configuration error, or has an expired or invalid certificate. The user should not proceed to the site or use a different browser, as this could expose their sensitive information to potential attackers. The user should also not reinstall the browser, as this is unlikely to fix the error and could cause data loss. The best action for the user to take is to report the error to the bank and wait for them to resolve it.

References: : How to Fix “Your Connection Is Not Private” Errors : Fix connection errors

A database system is a software application that allows storing, organizing, and managing data in a structured way. A database system can be used to register all employee badges and associated computer IDs by creating a table or a record for each employee that contains their badge number, computer ID, name, and other relevant information. A database system can also facilitate searching, updating, and deleting data as needed. Software management is a general term that refers to the process of planning, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining software applications. It does not directly address the issue of registering employee badges and computer IDs. Active Directory description is a field in Active Directory that can be used to store additional information about an object, such as a user or a computer. It is not a software application that can be used to register employee badges and computer IDs by itself. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a cloud computing model that provides servers, storage, networking, and software over the internet. It does not directly address the issue of registering employee badges and computer IDs either.

 Chain of custody and data integrity are two options that should most likely be considered when preserving data from a hard drive for forensic analysis. Chain of custody refers to the documentation and tracking of who has access to the data and how it is handled, stored, and transferred. Data integrity refers to the assurance that the data has not been altered, corrupted, or tampered with during the preservation process

The installation of home edition software on computers at a local office most likely violates the EULA. EULA stands for End User License Agreement and is a legal contract that specifies the terms and conditions for using a software product or service. EULA typically covers topics such as license scope, duration and limitations, rights and obligations of the parties, warranties and disclaimers, liability and indemnity clauses, and termination procedures. EULA may also restrict the use of home edition software to personal or non-commercial purposes only, and prohibit the use of home edition software in business or professional settings. Violating EULA may result in legal actions or penalties from the software vendor or developer. PII stands for Personally Identifiable Information and is any information that can be used to identify or locate an individual, such as name, address, phone number, email address, social security number or credit card number. PII is not related to software installation or licensing but to data protection and privacy. DRM stands for Digital Rights Management and is a technology that controls or restricts the access and use of digital content, such as music, movies, books or games. DRM is not related to software installation or licensing but to content distribution and piracy prevention. Open-source agreement is a type of license that allows users to access, modify and distribute the source code of a software product or service freely and openly. Open-source agreement does not restrict the use of software to home edition only but encourages collaboration and innovation among developers and users. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 5.1

When troubleshooting boot times for a user, a technician may want to check which programs are starting with the operating system to identify any that may be slowing down the boot process. MSConfig is a tool that can be used to view startup items on a Windows system, but it may not always be available or functional.

In this scenario, the technician receives a message that MSConfig cannot be used to view startup items. As an alternative, the technician can use Task Manager (taskmgr), which can also display the programs that run at startup. To access the list of startup items in Task Manager, the technician can follow these steps:

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc.

Click the "Startup" tab.

The list of programs that run at startup will be displayed.

The technician should adjust the firewall settings to resolve the issue of not being able to access an internal site at The firewall settings control how the firewall filters and allows network traffic based on rules and policies. The firewall settings may be blocking or preventing the access to the internal site by mistake or by default, especially if the site uses a non-standard port number such as 8888. The technician should check and modify the firewall settings to allow the access to the internal site or its port number. Default gateway settings determine how a computer connects to other networks or the internet. Default gateway settings are not likely to cause the issue of not being able to access an internal site if the user can access the public internet. DHCP settings determine how a computer obtains its IP address and other network configuration parameters automatically from a DHCP server. DHCP settings are not likely to cause the issue of not being able to access an internal site if the user can access other network resources. IP address settings determine how a computer identifies itself and communicates with other devices on a network. IP address settings are not likely to cause the issue of not being able to access an internal site if the user can access other network resources. Antivirus settings control how the antivirus software scans and protects the computer from malware and threats. Antivirus settings are less likely to cause the issue of not being able to access an internal site than firewall settings, unless the antivirus software has its own firewall feature that may interfere with the network traffic. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.6

System is the Control Panel utility that should be used to change the Path Environment Variable. The Path Environment Variable is a system variable that specifies the directories where executable files are located. To edit the Path Environment Variable, the technician should go to System > Advanced system settings > Environment Variables and then select Path from the list of system variables and click Edit.

Resetting the network adapter is the best way to apply the changes made to the hosts file on a few PCs. The hosts file is a text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses and can be used to block certain domains by redirecting them to invalid or local addresses. Resetting the network adapter will clear the DNS cache and force the PC to use the new entries in the hosts file. 

When a homeowner moves and sets up a new router for the new ISP it is important to take appropriate security measures to protect their network from potential security threats. The FIRST step that the homeowner should take after installation of all relevant cabling and hardware is to change the default passwords on new network devices.

Most modern routers come with default usernames and passwords that are widely known to potential attackers. If these defaults are not changed, it could make it easier for external attackers to gain unauthorized access to the network. Changing the passwords on new network devices is a simple but effective way to improve the security posture of the network.

The piece of hardware that the technician should replace to resolve the issue of the screen failing to rotate on a mobile device that was dropped is the accelerometer. The accelerometer is a sensor that detects the orientation and movement of the mobile device by measuring the acceleration forces acting on it. The accelerometer allows the screen to rotate automatically according to the position and angle of the device. If the accelerometer is damaged or malfunctioning, the screen may not rotate properly or at all, even if the settings are correctly applied. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display and is a type of display that uses liquid crystals and backlight to produce images on the screen. LCD is not related to the screen rotation feature but to the quality and brightness of the display. Battery is a component that provides power to the mobile device by storing and releasing electrical energy. Battery is not related to the screen rotation feature but to the battery life and performance of the device. Digitizer is a component that converts touch inputs into digital signals that can be processed by the mobile device. Digitizer is not related to the screen rotation feature but to the touch sensitivity and accuracy of the display. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.5

The Windows 10 desktop has Windows 10 Home installed, which does not support RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) as a host. Only Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions can act as RDP hosts and allow remote access to their desktops1. The Windows 10 desktop does not have DHCP configured, is connected via Wi-Fi, or is hibernating are not likely to prevent the RDP connection if the technician is able to ping the computer successfully.

Finder is the default GUI and file manager in macOS. Finder is an application that allows users to access and manage files and folders on their Mac computers. Finder also provides features such as Quick Look, Spotlight, AirDrop and iCloud Drive. Finder uses a graphical user interface that consists of icons, menus, toolbars and windows to display and interact with files and folders. Disk Utility is a utility that allows users to view and manage disk drives and partitions on their Mac computers. Disk Utility is not a GUI or a file manager but a disk management tool. Dock is a feature that allows users to access and launch applications on their Mac computers. Dock is not a GUI or a file manager but an application launcher. FileVault is a feature that allows users to encrypt and protect their data on their Mac computers. FileVault is not a GUI or a file manager but an encryption tool. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.1

The most likely reason that the system is not utilizing all the available RAM is that it is running a 32-bit OS. A 32-bit OS can only address up to 4GB of RAM, and some of that is reserved for hardware and system use1. Therefore, even if the technician installed 8GB of RAM, the system can only use around 3.5GB of usable RAM. To use the full 8GB of RAM, the technician would need to install a 64-bit OS, which can address much more memory2. The system missing updates, the system’s memory failing, or the system requiring BIOS updates are not likely to cause this issue.

References: 2:

Screen lock is a feature that returns a computer to the login screen after a period of inactivity, requiring the user to enter their credentials to resume their session. Screen lock can be configured using Group Policy settings, such as Screen saver timeout and Interactive logon: Machine inactivity limit. Screen lock can help prevent unauthorized access to a computer when the user is away from their desk. Login times are not a feature that returns a computer to the login screen, but a measure of how long it takes for a user to log in to a system. User permission is not a feature that returns a computer to the login screen, but a set of rights and privileges that determine what a user can do on a system. Login lockout attempts are not a feature that returns a computer to the login screen, but a security policy that locks out a user account after a number of failed login attempts. 

When it comes to disposing of used printer consumables , it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions or guidelines for proper disposal, as different types of consumables may require different disposal procedures. Some manufacturers provide specific instructions for proper disposal, such as sending the used consumables back to the manufacturer or using special recycling programs.

Therefore, the proper way for a technician to dispose of used printer consumables is to proceed with the custom manufacturer's procedure , if provided. This option ensures that the disposal is handled in an environmentally friendly and safe manner.

When a user rotates a cell phone horizontally to read emails and the display remains vertical, even though the settings indicate autorotate is on, this is typically due to a problem with the phone's accelerometer. The accelerometer is the sensor that detects changes in the phone's orientation and adjusts the display accordingly. If the accelerometer is not calibrated correctly, the display may not rotate as expected.

Recalibrating the accelerometer is the most likely solution to this issue. The process for recalibrating the accelerometer can vary depending on the specific device and operating system, but it typically involves going to the device's settings and finding the option to calibrate or reset the sensor. Users may need to search their device's documentation or online resources to find specific instructions for their device.

MSRA stands for Microsoft Remote Assistance, and it is a feature that allows a technician to remotely view and control another user’s Windows PC with their permission. MSRA is built-in to Windows and does not require any additional software installation. To use MSRA, the technician and the user need to follow these steps:

On the user’s PC, type msra in the search box on the taskbar and select Invite someone to connect to your PC and help you, or offer to help someone else.

Select Save this invitation as a file and choose a location to save the file. This file contains a password that the technician will need to connect to the user’s PC.

Send the file and the password to the technician via email or another secure method.

On the technician’s PC, type msra in the search box on the taskbar and select Help someone who has invited you.

Select Use an invitation file and browse to the location where the file from the user is saved. Enter the password when prompted.

The user will see a message asking if they want to allow the technician to connect to their PC. The user should select Yes.

The technician will see the user’s desktop and can request control of their PC by clicking Request control on the top bar. The user should allow this request by clicking Yes.

The technician can now view and control the user’s PC and assist them with installing software.

The next troubleshooting step that the technician should perform to resolve the issue of pages flashing on the screen before staying open when accessing banking web pages is to verify the address bar URL. The address bar URL is the web address that appears in the browser’s address bar and indicates the location of the web page being accessed. Verifying the address bar URL can help determine if the user is accessing a legitimate or malicious website, as some phishing websites may try to impersonate banking websites by using similar-looking URLs or domains.

The correct answer is D. Unattended installation. An unattended installation is a way of installing Windows 10 without requiring any user input or interaction. It uses a configuration file called answer file that contains the settings and preferences for the installation, such as the product key, language, partition, and network settings. An unattended installation can be performed by using a bootable USB flash drive or DVD that contains the Windows 10 installation files and the answer file1. This is the fastest way for the technician to install Windows 10 on a newly built computer, as it automates the whole process and saves time.

A factory reset is a way of restoring a computer to its original state by deleting all the data and applications and reinstalling the operating system. A factory reset can be performed by using the recovery partition or media that came with the computer, or by using the Reset this PC option in Windows 10 settings2. A factory reset is not a way of installing Windows 10 on a newly built computer, as it requires an existing operating system to be present.

A system restore is a way of undoing changes to a computer’s system files and settings by using a restore point that was created earlier. A system restore can be performed by using the System Restore option in Windows 10 settings or by using the Advanced Startup Options menu3. A system restore is not a way of installing Windows 10 on a newly built computer, as it requires an existing operating system and restore points to be present.

An in-place upgrade is a way of upgrading an existing operating system to a newer version without losing any data or applications. An in-place upgrade can be performed by using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool or by running the Setup.exe file from the Windows 10 installation media. An in-place upgrade is not a way of installing Windows 10 on a newly built computer, as it requires an existing operating system to be present.

AutoPlay is a feature that automatically runs programs or files when a removable media device, such as a flash drive, is plugged in. This can be exploited by malware authors who place malicious files on flash drives that execute automatically when inserted into a computer. Turning off AutoPlay can prevent this type of incident by requiring the user to manually open or run files from removable media devices. Disabling UAC (user account control), restricting local administrators and enabling UPnP (universal plug and play) are not effective ways to prevent this type of incident. Verified References:

A user account that belongs to the local administrator’s group has the permission to install software on a Windows machine. If a user receives a UAC (user account control) prompt when trying to install software, it means the user does not have enough privileges and needs to enter an administrator’s password or switch to an administrator’s account. Adding the user account to the local administrator’s group can resolve this issue. Configuring Windows Defender Firewall, creating a Microsoft account and disabling the guest account are not related to this issue. Verified References:

A graphics card, also known as a video card or a GPU (graphics processing unit), is a component that can affect the performance of a computer game. A graphics card is responsible for rendering and displaying graphics on the screen, such as images, animations, and effects. A computer game may require a high level of graphics processing power to run smoothly and achieve high frame rates, which are the number of frames per second (FPS) that the game can display. Upgrading to a better graphics card can improve the performance of a computer game by increasing its graphics quality and frame rates. Hard drive, random-access memory, and monitor are not components that can directly improve the performance of a computer game.

Rollback refers to the steps to be taken if an issue occurs during a change implementation. It means restoring the system to its previous state before the change was applied, using backup data or configuration files. It can minimize the impact and downtime caused by a failed change. Testing refers to the steps to be taken before a change implementation, to verify that the change works as expected and does not cause any errors or conflicts. Risk refers to the potential negative consequences of a change implementation, such as data loss, security breach, performance degradation, etc. Acceptance refers to the steps to be taken after a change implementation, to confirm that the change meets the requirements and expectations of the stakeholders. Verified References:

Power Options is a Control Panel utility that allows users to configure the power settings of their computer, such as when to turn off the display, when to put the computer to sleep, and how to manage the battery life. Power Options also allows users to configure the USB selective suspend setting, which is a feature that automatically suspends the power supply to USB devices that are not in use, in order to save energy. A user can disable this setting if they want to ensure that USB devices are not suspended by the operating system. System, Devices and Printers, and Ease of Access are not Control Panel utilities that can be used to configure the USB selective suspend setting.

Uninstalling and reinstalling the application can resolve the issue of it crashing immediately on an Android tablet, as it can fix any corrupted or missing files or settings. Clearing the application storage can also resolve the issue, as it can free up space and remove any conflicting data. Gaining root access to the tablet, resetting the web browser cache, deleting the application cache and disabling mobile device management are not likely to resolve the issue, as they do not affect how the application runs. Verified References:

netstat is a tool that can be used to investigate connections on a Windows machine. It displays information about the active TCP connections, listening ports, routing tables, network statistics, etc. nslookup is a tool that can be used to query DNS servers and resolve domain names to IP addresses. net use is a tool that can be used to connect or disconnect network drives or printers. net user is a tool that can be used to create or modify user accounts on a Windows machine. Verified References:

Chain of custody is a process that helps ensure that a piece of evidence extracted from a PC is admissible in a court of law. Chain of custody refers to the documentation and tracking of who handled, accessed, modified, or transferred the evidence, when, where, why, and how. Chain of custody can help establish the authenticity, integrity, and reliability of the evidence, as well as prevent tampering, alteration, or loss of the evidence. Data integrity form, valid operating system license, and documentation of an incident are not processes that can ensure that a piece of evidence extracted from a PC is admissible in a court of law.

Sandbox testing is a method of identifying potential issues with a proposed change prior to implementation. It involves creating a simulated or isolated environment that mimics the real system and applying the change to it. This can help to verify that the change works as expected and does not cause any errors or conflicts. Request form, rollback plan and end-user acceptance are other components of a change management process, but they do not involve identifying issues with a change. Verified References:

Shoulder surfing is a threat that involves someone looking over another person’s shoulder to observe their screen, keyboard, or other sensitive information. Shoulder surfing can be used to steal passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs), credit card numbers, or other confidential data. The use of a privacy screen on a computer can help prevent shoulder surfing by limiting the viewing angle of the screen and making it harder for someone to see the screen from the side or behind. Impersonation, whaling, and tailgating are not threats that can be prevented by using a privacy screen on a computer.

EFS (Encrypting File System) is a feature that allows a user to encrypt a single folder or file on a Windows PC. It uses a public key encryption system to protect the data from unauthorized access. FAT32 and exFAT are file system formats that do not support encryption. BitLocker is a feature that encrypts the entire drive, not a single folder or file. Verified References:

Personalization is a Windows 10 setting that allows a user to modify the desktop wallpaper, as well as other aspects of the appearance and behavior of the desktop, such as colors, themes, sounds, etc. Apps is a Windows 10 setting that allows a user to manage the installed applications and their features. Updates is a Windows 10 setting that allows a user to check for and install the latest updates for the OS and other components. Display is a Windows 10 setting that allows a user to adjust the screen resolution, brightness, orientation, etc. Verified References:

Device compatibility is an advantage of using WPA2 instead of WPA3. WPA2 is the previous version of the Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol, which provides security and encryption for wireless networks. WPA3 is the latest version, which offers improved security features, such as stronger encryption, enhanced protection against brute-force attacks, and easier configuration. However, WPA3 is not backward compatible with older devices that only support WPA2 or earlier protocols. Therefore, using WPA3 may limit the range of devices that can connect to the wireless network. Connection security, encryption key length, and offline decryption resistance are advantages of using WPA3 instead of WPA2. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 24

CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide (Exams 220-1101 & …, page 1000

EOL (end-of-life) is a term that indicates a vendor no longer supports a product. It means that the product will no longer be sold, updated or patched by the vendor, and that the users should migrate to a newer version or alternative product. AUP (acceptable use policy), EULA (end-user license agreement) and UAC (user account control) are not terms that indicate a vendor no longer supports a product. Verified References:

A cryptominer is a malicious program that uses the CPU resources of a computer to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. This can cause the CPU to run at 100% utilization and slow down the system. Spyware, virus and keylogger are other types of malware, but they do not necessarily cause high CPU usage. Verified References:

Preserving chain of custody is a concept that refers to the documentation and tracking of who handled, accessed, modified, or transferred a piece of evidence, when, where, why, and how. Preserving chain of custody can help establish the authenticity, integrity, and reliability of the evidence, as well as prevent tampering, alteration, or loss of the evidence. An administrator who documented the movement of the evidence demonstrated the concept of preserving chain of custody. Implementing data protection policies, informing law enforcement, and creating a summary of the incident are not concepts that describe the action of documenting the movement of the evidence.

A soft token, also known as a software token or an OTP (one-time password) app, is a type of multifactor authentication that generates a temporary code or password on a user’s device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. The user must enter this code or password along with their username and password to access their account or service. A soft token can help improve security by adding an extra layer of verification and preventing unauthorized access even if the user’s credentials are compromised. A soft token can also be implemented at a minimal cost, as it does not require any additional hardware or infrastructure. Biometrics, access control lists, and smart card are not types of multifactor authentication that can be implemented at a minimal cost.

The correct answer is B. Printer Properties/Sharing tab. This is the location where the technician can enable printer sharing and assign a share name for the USB printer. This will allow other computers on the network to access the printer by using the share name or the IP address of the computer that has the printer attached1.

1: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 2 Objectives, page 15, section 1.9.

 The best way to address the security and privacy concerns caused by a malware infection on a smartphone is to uninstall all recently installed applications and schedule an antivirus scan. Uninstalling the applications that may have introduced the malware can help remove the source of infection and prevent further damage. Scheduling an antivirus scan can help detect and remove any remaining traces of malware and restore the device’s functionality.

References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Certification Study Guide, Chapter 5: Mobile Devices, Section 5.3: Mobile Device Security1

Cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection are common security vulnerabilities that can be mitigated by using input validation. Input validation is a technique that checks the user input for any malicious or unexpected characters or commands before processing it. XSS is an attack that injects malicious scripts into web pages to steal cookies, session tokens or other sensitive information from users or web servers. SQL injection is an attack that injects malicious SQL statements into web applications to manipulate databases, execute commands or access unauthorized data. Verified References:

The correct answer is B. Power Options. The Power Options utility in the Control Panel allows you to configure various settings related to how your computer uses and saves power, such as the power plan, the sleep mode, the screen brightness, and the battery status. To access the Power Options utility, you can follow these steps:

Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

Click on Change plan settings for the power plan you are using.

Click on Change advanced power settings.

Expand the USB settings category and then the USB selective suspend setting subcategory.

Set the option to Disabled for both On battery and Plugged in.

Click on OK and then on Save changes.

This will prevent the operating system from suspending the USB devices to save power .

System, Devices and Printers, and Ease of Access are not the utilities that should be used to configure the setting. System is a utility that provides information about your computer’s hardware and software, such as the processor, memory, operating system, device manager, and system protection. Devices and Printers is a utility that allows you to view and manage the devices and printers connected to your computer, such as adding or removing devices, changing device settings, or troubleshooting problems. Ease of Access is a utility that allows you to customize your computer’s accessibility options, such as the narrator, magnifier, high contrast, keyboard, mouse, and speech recognition. None of these utilities have any option to configure the USB selective suspend setting.

A full backup does not depend on any previous backups, unlike differential or incremental backups, which only save the changes made since the last backup. A synthetic backup is a type of full backup that combines an existing full backup with incremental backups to create a new full backup, but it still requires multiple backup sets to recover data. Therefore, a full backup is the most suitable for the payroll workstation that needs to have its data readily available and recoverable. You can learn more about the differences between full, differential, incremental, and synthetic backups from this article.

services.msc is a tool that can be used to resolve the issue of “The Audio Driver is not running” on a Windows machine. It allows a technician to view, start, stop and configure the services that run on the system, such as the Windows Audio service. compmgmt.msc, regedit.exe, explorer.exe, taskmgt.exe and gpmc.msc are other tools that can be used for different purposes on a Windows machine, but they are not related to audio drivers or services. Verified References:

Screen timeout is the setting that determines how long the screen stays on after the user stops interacting with the phone. Screen brightness is the setting that determines how much light the screen emits. Both of these settings affect the battery life of the phone, as keeping the screen on longer and brighter consumes more power than turning it off sooner and dimmer. A technician should check these settings first to troubleshoot the issue of low battery life and adjust them accordingly. Screen resolution, screen zoom, screen damage, and screen motion smoothness are not settings that directly affect the battery life or the screen staying on for a long time.

LAN is the most likely option to be impacted in this situation. LAN stands for Local Area Network, and it is a network that connects devices within a limited area, such as a building or a campus. Installing high-definition IP videoconferencing equipment in all classrooms would require a high bandwidth and reliable LAN infrastructure to support the video and audio transmission. The LAN would also need to be configured with proper security, quality of service, and multicast protocols to ensure the optimal performance of the videoconferencing system. SAN, GPU, and PAN are not directly related to this scenario. SAN stands for Storage Area Network, and it is a network that provides access to consolidated storage devices. GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit, and it is a hardware component that handles graphics rendering and computation. PAN stands for Personal Area Network, and it is a network that connects devices within a short range, such as Bluetooth or infrared. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 20

CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam …, page 104

Clearing the cached file is an action that can help resolve the issue of not seeing the latest patch notes on a game vendor’s website. A cached file is a copy of a web page or file that is stored locally on the user’s browser or device for faster loading and offline access. However, sometimes a cached file may become outdated or corrupted and prevent the user from seeing the most recent or accurate version of a web page or file. Clearing the cached file can force the browser to download and display the latest version from the server instead of using the old copy from the cache. Synchronizing the browser data, enabling private browsing mode, and marking the site as trusted are not actions that can help resolve this issue.

yum (Yellowdog Updater Modified) is a package management utility for PCs that are running the Linux operating system. It can be used to install, update and remove software packages from repositories. chmod (change mode) is a command that changes the permissions of files and directories in Linux. man (manual) is a command that displays the documentation of other commands in Linux. grep (global regular expression print) is a command that searches for patterns in text files in Linux. Verified References:

The correct answers are E and F. Disabling AutoRun and updating the antivirus definitions are two actions that should be taken to prevent the incident from happening again.

AutoRun is a feature of Windows that automatically executes a predetermined action when a removable media such as a USB drive is inserted in a computer. For example, AutoRun can launch or install a new program on the media, or open the file in File Explorer. However, this feature can also be exploited by malicious software that can run without the user’s consent or knowledge. Therefore, disabling AutoRun can help prevent accidental installation of viruses and other malware from USB drives123.

Updating the antivirus definitions is another important action that can help prevent malware infections from USB drives. Antivirus definitions are files that contain information about the latest known threats and how to detect and remove them. By updating the antivirus definitions regularly, you can ensure that your antivirus software can recognize and block any malicious software that may be on the USB drive before it can harm your computer45.

A host-based IDS is a system that monitors and analyzes the activity on a single computer or device for any signs of intrusion or malicious behavior. A host-based IDS can help detect and prevent malware infections from USB drives, but it is not a sufficient action by itself. A host-based IDS needs to be complemented by other security measures, such as disabling AutoRun and updating the antivirus definitions6.

Restricting login times, enabling a BIOS password, and updating the password complexity are all actions that can help improve the security of a computer or device, but they are not directly related to preventing malware infections from USB drives. These actions can help prevent unauthorized access to the computer or device, but they do not affect how the computer or device interacts with the USB drive or its contents.

Restricting user permissions is an action that can help limit the damage that malware can cause on a computer or device, but it does not prevent the malware from being installed in the first place. Restricting user permissions means limiting what actions a user can perform on the computer or device, such as installing or deleting programs, modifying system settings, or accessing certain files or folders. By restricting user permissions, you can reduce the impact of malware infections by preventing them from affecting other users or system components7.

Enabling inheritance is a method that allows new subfolders to inherit the permissions and settings from their parent folder. If users can access files in the department share, but not in the new subfolders created by other users, it may indicate that inheritance is disabled and that each new subfolder has its own permissions and settings that restrict access to only the creator. Enabling inheritance can help resolve this issue by allowing all users to access the new subfolders with the same permissions and settings as the department share. Assigning share permissions, requiring multifactor authentication, and removing archive attribute are not methods that can most likely allow all users to access the new folders.

Shredding is a data destruction method that physically destroys the hard drive by cutting it into small pieces using a machine. Shredding ensures that data is completely removed from the hard drive and cannot be recovered by any means. Shredding is suitable for hard drives that contain PII (personally identifiable information), which is any information that can be used to identify, contact, or locate an individual. Degaussing, low-level formatting, and recycling are not data destruction methods that can guarantee complete data removal from a hard drive.

Terminal is an application that allows access to the command line in macOS. The command line is an interface that allows users to interact with the operating system and perform various tasks by typing commands and arguments. Terminal can be used to launch programs, manage files and folders, configure settings, troubleshoot issues, and run scripts in macOS. PsExec, command.com, and CMD are not applications that allow access to the command line in macOS.

Quarantining the computer means isolating it from the network and other devices to prevent the spread of malware or ransomware. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the files on a computer and demands payment (usually in cryptocurrency) to restore them. If a technician sees a file that is requesting payment to a cryptocurrency address, it is likely that the computer has been infected by ransomware. Quarantining the computer should be the first step to contain the infection and prevent further damage. Disabling System Restore, updating the antivirus software definitions, and booting to safe mode are not steps that should be done before quarantining the computer.

The security benefits realized after deploying a client certificate to be used for Wi-Fi access for all devices in an organization are that all Wi-Fi traffic will be encrypted in transit. This means that any data transmitted over the Wi-Fi network will be protected from eavesdropping attempts. Rogue access points will not connect to the network because they will not have the client certificate. However, multifactor authentication will not be forced for Wi-Fi because the client certificate is being used in conjunction with the user’s existing username and password12

The BEST solution for preventing data theft within the call center in this scenario would be to lock the workstations after a period of inactivity. This would prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing patient data if call center agents were to step away from their workstations without logging out.

Erasing/wiping the hard drives is the best method to dispose of the drives containing PII

Apple Remote Desktop is a remote access solution that allows a user to access and control another macOS computer from their Windows workstation. It provides a graphical user interface so that the analyst can easily access the server software running on the macOS server. Apple Remote Desktop also supports file transfers, so the analyst can easily transfer files between the two computers. Additionally, Apple Remote Desktop supports encryption, so data is secure during transmission.

This will ensure that the antivirus software is up-to-date, and can detect any new viruses that may have been released since the last virus definition update. 

The CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1002 exam covers this topic in the following domains: 1.3 Explain the importance of security awareness and 2.2 Given a scenario, use secure data management and disaster recovery principles.

Reinstalling the browser would most likely solve the issue. This would remove any malicious software or add-ons that may be causing the issue and restore the browser to its default settings.

System File Checker to check for modified Windows files. System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility that can be used to scan for and restore corrupt Windows system files. SFC can be used to detect and fix any modified or corrupted system files on a computer, and thus should be checked first when a user reports that their computer has been running slowly since the installation of security applications [1][2]. By checking SFC, any modified or corrupted system files can be identified and fixed, potentially improving the overall performance of the computer.

 If customers are unable to access the company-hosted public website after installing a new SOHO router, the company should check for firmware updates1. Firmware updates can fix bugs and compatibility issues that may be preventing customers from accessing the website1. The company should also ensure that the router is properly configured to allow traffic to the website1. If the router is blocking traffic to the website, the company should configure the router to allow traffic to the website1.

The best choice for accessing the necessary configuration to configure the desktop systems to use a new proxy server is the Internet Options utility. This utility can be found in the Control Panel and allows you to configure the proxy settings for your network connection. As stated in the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam objectives, technicians should be familiar with the Internet Options utility and how to configure proxy settings.

The OS utility used to change the color of the cursor in Windows is Ease of Access Center12

The user can change the cursor color by opening the Settings app, selecting Accessibility in the left sidebar, selecting Mouse pointer and touch under Vision, and choosing one of the cursor options. The user can select Custom to pick a color and use the Size slider to make the cursor larger or smaller12

The Ease of Access Center in the Windows OS provides accessibility options for users with disabilities or impairments. One of these options allows the user to change the color and size of the cursor, making it more visible and easier to locate on the screen. The Keyboard and Touchpad settings do not offer the option to change cursor color, and Display Settings are used to adjust the resolution and other properties of the display. Therefore, C is the best answer. This information is covered in the Comptia A+ Core2 documents/guide under the Accessibility section.

BitLocker is a disk encryption tool that can be used to encrypt the hard drive of a Windows laptop. This will protect the data stored on the drive in the event that the laptop is lost or stolen, and will help to reduce the risk of data loss. Additionally, BitLocker can be configured to require a PIN or other authentication in order to unlock the drive, providing an additional layer of security.

Saving software to an external hard drive and installing it on each individual PC is the most inefficient method for the small business owner. This method requires manual intervention on each PC, and there is a higher risk of error or inconsistencies between PCs. Additionally, if the software needs to be updated or reinstalled in the future, this process would need to be repeated on each PC.

The technician opens the Apple icon menu, selects Force Quit, selects the frozen application in the list, and clicks Force Quit. This is the most common method of force quitting a program in macOS. This can be done by clicking on the Apple icon in the top left of the screen, selecting Force Quit, selecting the frozen application in the list, and then clicking Force Quit. This will force the application to quit and the spinning round cursor will disappear.

The Windows Professional Edition is the most likely version that a technician would deploy for a user at a target corporation. This version of Windows is designed for business use and provides the necessary features and capabilities that a user would need to access the corporate domain, such as email and shared drives.

EAP-TLS is a method of authentication that uses certificates to establish a secure tunnel between the client and the server3. The certificates have a validity period and must be renewed before they expire1. If the user has been on an extended leave and has not logged in to the computer in several months, it is possible that the certificate on the client or the server has expired and needs to be renewed2. The other options are not directly related to EAP-TLS authentication or 802.1X network access.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security standards designed to ensure that ALL companies that accept, process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.

Changing the network channel is the best solution to minimize the issue of employees and patients not being the only people on the Wi-Fi network5

References: 3. Sample CompTIA Security+ exam questions and answers. Retrieved from

When a user reports that their workstation is behaving strangely after opening a suspicious email, the first step a technician should take is to run a virus scan on the computer. This is because opening a suspicious email is a common way for viruses and malware to infect a computer. Running a virus scan can help identify and remove any infections that may be causing the computer to behave strangely.

The user can use the following commands to give the technician the correct information: ipconfig /all and hostname 1. The ipconfig /all command displays the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for all adapters on the computer 1. The hostname command displays the name of the computer 1.

The first step a technician should take when troubleshooting a computer with a suspected short in the power supply is B. Disconnect the power before servicing the PC. This is to prevent any electrical shock or damage to the components. A power supply can be dangerous even when unplugged, as capacitors can maintain a line voltage charge for a long time1. Therefore, it is important to disconnect the power cord and press the power button to discharge any residual power before opening the case2. The other steps are also important for safety and proper diagnosis, but they should be done after disconnecting the power.

An in-place upgrade is the most efficient method for migrating from Windows 7 Pro to Windows 10 Pro, as it will retain all user files and preferences, can be done locally, and can be done one station at a time. An in-place upgrade involves installing the new version of Windows over the existing version, and can be done quickly and easily.

The most effective method for dealing with spam messages in a small business is to provide user training1. Users should be trained to recognize spam messages and avoid opening them1. They should also be trained to report spam messages to the IT department so that appropriate action can be taken1. In addition, users should be trained to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources1. By providing user training, the management team can reduce the risk of users opening spam messages and potentially infecting the network systems1.

The filesystem that is supported by both Macs and Windows PCs is D. exFAT. exFAT is a file system that is designed to be used on flash drives like USB sticks and SD cards. It is supported by both Macs and Windows PCs, and it can handle large files and volumes

The correct answer is B. Swapping the cables for the monitors. When the second monitor is connected with the HDMI port, it is necessary to swap the cables for the monitors so that the mouse can move from the original monitor to the new monitor. This is because the HDMI port is designed to only support one monitor, and the mouse will not be able to move from one to the other without the cables being swapped.

According to CompTIA A+ Core 2 documents, "When connecting multiple displays to a system, the cables used to connect the displays must be swapped between the displays. For example, if a monitor is connected to a system using a VGA cable, the VGA cable must be moved to the next display to allow the mouse to move between the two displays."

The strongest wireless configuration is B. WPA3. WPA3 is the most up-to-date wireless encryption protocol and is the most secure choice. It replaces PSK with SAE, a more secure way to do the initial key exchange. At the same time, the session key size of WPA3 increases to 128-bit in WPA3-Personal mode and 192-bit in WPA3-Enterprise, which makes the password harder to crack than the previous Wi-Fi security standards

The technician should disable the user’s access to the device’s command shell. This will prevent the user from accessing sensitive data and will help to prevent further data leaks. The technician should then investigate the unapproved application to determine if it is the cause of the data leak. If the application is found to be the cause of the leak, the technician should uninstall the application and restore the device to factory settings. If the application is not the cause of the leak, the technician should investigate further to determine the cause of the leak. Disabling the ability to install applications from unknown sources can help to prevent future data leaks, but it is not the next step the technician should take in this scenario. Ensuring the device is connected to the corporate WiFi network is not relevant to this scenario1

Rebooting the system in safe mode will limit the number of programs and processes running, allowing the antivirus system to more effectively identify and remove the malware. Rescanning the system will allow the antivirus system to identify and remove the malware while preserving the user's files.

The correct answers are E. Windows Defender and A. File Explorer. Windows Defender is a built-in antivirus program that can detect and remove malicious software from a workstation. File Explorer can be used to locate and delete files associated with the malicious software1

A name on a medical diagnosis (B) is most likely to be regulated. This is because it falls under the category of protected health information (PHI), which is subject to regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the United States. These regulations aim to protect the privacy and security of individuals’ health information.

The user should verify that NFC is enabled on their phone. NFC is a technology that allows two devices to communicate with each other when they are in close proximity2.

NFC (Near Field Communication) technology allows a phone to wirelessly communicate with a payment terminal or other compatible device. In order to use NFC to make a payment or transfer information, the feature must be enabled on the phone. Therefore, the user should verify that NFC is enabled on their phone before attempting to make a payment with it. The other options, such as turning off airplane mode, connecting to Wi-Fi, or enabling Bluetooth, do not pertain to the NFC feature and are unlikely to resolve the issue. This information is covered in the Comptia A+ Core2 documents/guide under the Mobile Devices section.

The issue is specific to the user’s profile, so the technician should rebuild the profile. Rebuilding the profile will create a new profile and transfer the user’s data to the new profile1

The technician should use the File Explorer application to assist the user with hiding the file 1. The user can right-click the file and select Properties. In the Properties dialog box, select the Hidden check box, and then click OK 1.

Open Settings, select System, select Display, and change the Scale and layout setting to a higher percentage123

The technician should provide the user with a unique ticket number that can be referenced on subsequent calls to make sure the ticket is associated with the correct user. This is because registering the ticket with a unique user identifier, having the user provide a callback phone number to be added to the ticket, or assigning the ticket to the department’s power user will not ensure that the ticket is associated with the correct user2.

If a rootkit has caused a deep infection, then the only way to remove the rootkit is to reinstall the operating system. This is because rootkits are designed to be difficult to detect and remove, and they can hide in the operating system’s kernel, making it difficult to remove them without reinstalling the operating system

Default Apps should be used to ensure all PDF files open in Adobe Reader1

The most cost-effective version of Windows 10 that allows remote access through Remote Desktop is Windows 10 Pro. Windows 10 Pro includes Remote Desktop, which allows users to connect to a remote computer and access its desktop, files, and applications. Windows 10 Home does not include Remote Desktop, while Windows 10 Pro for Workstations and Windows 10 Enterprise are more expensive versions of Windows 10 that include additional features for businesses

Since there are no error messages on the device, the technician should check if the battery is sufficiently charged1

If the battery is low, the device may not have enough power to complete the update2

In this scenario, the technician has already determined that there are no error messages on the device. The next best step would be to check if the battery is sufficiently charged. If the battery is low, it could be preventing the device from completing the update process.

Verifying that third-party applications are disabled, determining if the device has adequate storage available, and confirming a strong internet connection are all important steps in troubleshooting issues with mobile devices. However, since the problem in this scenario is related to a failed OS update, it is important to first check the battery level before proceeding with further troubleshooting steps.

TACACS+ is a proprietary Cisco AAA protocol

"The user thought the company-provided antivirus software would prevent this issue."

The most likely steps to resolve the issue are to deploy an ad-blocking extension to the browser and perform a reset on the user’s web browser. Ad-blocking extensions can help to prevent pop-ups and other unwanted content from appearing in the browser, and resetting the browser can help to remove any malicious extensions or settings that may be causing the issue.

 This is because a PIN is a fast and secure method of logging in to laptops, and it is more secure than a password because it is not susceptible to keyloggers.

The type of backup that should be completed FIRST after installing a new backup and recovery system is a full backup. This is because a full backup is a complete backup of all data and is the foundation for all other backups. After a full backup is completed, other types of backups, such as differential and incremental backups, can be performed.

The technician should use afc to transfer a large number of files over an unreliable connection and be able to resume the process if the connection is interrupted1

Changing channels can best resolve interference from other nearby SSIDs. Wireless networks operate on different channels, and changing the channel can help to avoid interference from other nearby networks.

The best ways to limit the bank’s risk are to enable multifactor authentication for each support account and enforce account lockouts after five bad password attempts. Multifactor authentication adds an extra layer of security to the login process, making it more difficult for attackers to gain access to systems. Account lockouts after five bad password attempts can help to prevent brute force attacks by locking out accounts after a certain number of failed login attempts.

Badge readers are used to implement secure physical access to a data center. They are used to read the identification information on an employee’s badge and grant access to the data center if the employee is authorized2.

 This system requires individuals to have an access badge that contains their identification information or a unique code that can be scanned by a reader. After the badge is scanned, the system compares the information on the badge with the authorized personnel database to authenticate if the individual has the required clearance to enter that area. The other options listed, such as a geofence, alarm system, or motion sensor are security measures that may be used in conjunction with badge readers, but do not provide identification and authentication features.

exFAT is a file system that is supported by both Linux and Windows and can handle large files1.

 Processes tab in Task Manager would contain the information a technician would use to identify the cause of this issue. The Processes tab in Task Manager displays all the processes running on the computer, including the CPU and memory usage of each process. The technician can use this tab to identify the process that is causing the hard drive activity light to remain lit and the performance degradation1

Resource Monitor is a Windows utility that can be used to monitor and analyze the system resources and processes running on a computer. It can be used to identify and troubleshoot any issues that might be causing the computer to run slowly, such as CPU usage, memory usage, disk I/O, and network usage.

This is because WPA2 with AES is the most secure wireless network configuration that is available on a ten-year-old SOHO wireless router.

The technician should not proceed with initiating a full scan and removal of the viruses using the presented interface or call the phone number displayed in the interface of the antivirus removal tool12

Shutting down the infected computer and swapping it with another computer is not necessary at this point12

The technician should not immediately assume that the message is legitimate or perform any actions without knowing what the interface is and what triggered it to pop up. It is important to investigate the issue further, including checking the legitimacy of the antivirus program and the message it is displaying.

This is because remote wipe allows the data on the smartphone to be erased remotely, which helps to ensure that sensitive data does not fall into the wrong hands.

The feature that BEST addresses the user’s concern is remote wipe. This is because remote wipe allows the user to erase all data on the mobile device if it is lost or stolen, which will prevent unauthorized access to the device1.

First thing you want to do is quarantine/disconnect the affected system from the network so whatever malicious software doesn't spread.

Encrypting the hard drive would most likely resolve the issue1

Account lockout would best mitigate the threat of a dictionary attack1

The rollback plan should be updated before requesting approval again. A rollback plan is a plan for undoing a change if it causes problems, and it is an important part of any change management process. If the change advisory board did not approve the requested change due to the lack of alternative actions if implementation failed, then updating the rollback plan would be the best way to address this concern.

Resource Monitor will help a technician identify the issue when a user reports a computer is running slow1

The BEST way to secure the current workflow of transferring sensitive personal information between offices when conducting business is to enable BitLocker To Go with a password that meets corporate requirements. This is because BitLocker To Go is a full-disk encryption feature that encrypts all data on a USB drive, which is what the company currently uses, and requires a password to access the data.

A biometric lock requires an authorized user to provide a unique biometric identifier, such as a fingerprint, in order to gain access to the server room. A badge reader requires an authorized user to swipe an access card in order to gain access. Both of these methods ensure that only authorized personnel are able to access the server room. Additionally, video surveillance and access control vestibules can be used to further secure the server room. Finally, a locking rack can be used to physically secure the servers, so that they cannot be accessed without the appropriate key.

The user can enable speech recognition on a PC in the Ease of Access settings tool. To set up Speech Recognition on a Windows PC, the user should open Control Panel, click on Ease of Access, click on Speech Recognition, and click the Start Speech Recognition link. Language settings can be used to change the language of the speech recognition feature, but they will not enable the feature. System settings can be used to configure the hardware and software of the PC, but they will not enable the speech recognition feature. Personalization settings can be used to customize the appearance and behavior of the PC, but they will not enable the speech recognition feature1

Open up ease of access, click on speech, then there is an on and off button for speech recognition.

Installing applications directly from a vendor's website can be risky, as the application may be malicious or fraudulent. Uninstalling the application can help mitigate the issue by removing the source of the problem.

Jailbreaking a device exposes it to various security risks, such as malware, data theft, network attacks, and service disruption1234. Running an antivirus and enabling encryption may not be enough to remove the threats and restore the device’s functionality. Undoing the jailbreak may not be possible or effective, depending on the method used. Backing up the files and doing a system restore may preserve the jailbreak and the associated problems. The best option is to erase the device and reinstall the original operating system that is compatible with the corporate policies and standards. This will ensure that the device is clean, secure, and compliant25.

References: 1 What is Jailbreaking & Is it safe? - Detection: Why is jailbreaking a potential security risk? - Cybersecurity Information for iOS Devices | University does it mean to jailbreak your phone—and is it legal? - a corporate laptop back to a personal laptop… Enterprise vs Pro - Windows

Phishing is the correct answer for this question. Phishing is a type of attack that uses fraudulent emails or other messages to trick users into revealing sensitive information or installing malicious software. Phishing emails often impersonate legitimate entities or individuals and offer incentives or threats to lure users into clicking on malicious links or attachments. In this scenario, the user received a removable USB device in the mail as a prize, which could be a phishing attempt to infect the user’s computer with malware or gain access to the user’s data. Dumpster diving, tailgating, and evil twin are not correct answers for this question. Dumpster diving is a type of attack that involves searching through trash bins or recycling containers to find discarded documents or devices that contain valuable information. Tailgating is a type of attack that involves following an authorized person into a restricted area without proper identification or authorization. Evil twin is a type of attack that involves setting up a rogue wireless access point that mimics a legitimate one to intercept or manipulate network traffic. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 25

[CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 Certification Study Guide], page 1004

Windows is the operating system that typically requires the most computing resources from the host computer, compared to the other options. Computing resources include hardware components such as CPU, RAM, disk space, graphics card, and network adapter. The minimum system requirements for an operating system indicate the minimum amount of computing resources needed to install and run the operating system on a computer. The higher the minimum system requirements, the more computing resources the operating system consumes.

According to the web search results, the minimum system requirements for Windows 10 and Windows 11 are as follows12:

CPU: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores (Windows 10); 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor (Windows 11)

RAM: 1 GB for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit (Windows 10); 4 GB (Windows 11)

Disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit or 32 GB for 64-bit (Windows 10); 64 GB (Windows 11)

Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver (Windows 10); DirectX 12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver (Windows 11)

Network adapter: Ethernet or Wi-Fi (Windows 10); Ethernet or Wi-Fi that supports 5 GHz (Windows 11)

The minimum system requirements for macOS Ventura are as follows:

CPU: Intel Core i3 or higher, or Apple M1 chip

RAM: 4 GB

Disk space: 35.5 GB

Graphics card: Metal-capable

Network adapter: Ethernet or Wi-Fi

The minimum system requirements for Chrome OS are as follows:

CPU: Intel Celeron or higher

RAM: 2 GB

Disk space: 16 GB

Graphics card: Integrated

Network adapter: Ethernet or Wi-Fi

The minimum system requirements for Android are as follows:

CPU: 1 GHz or higher

RAM: 512 MB

Disk space: 8 GB

Graphics card: OpenGL ES 2.0

Network adapter: Ethernet or Wi-Fi

The minimum system requirements for Linux vary depending on the distribution, but a common example is Ubuntu, which has the following minimum system requirements:

CPU: 2 GHz dual core processor or better

RAM: 4 GB

Disk space: 25 GB

Graphics card: 1024 x 768 screen resolution

Network adapter: Ethernet or Wi-Fi

Based on the comparison of the minimum system requirements, Windows has the highest requirements for CPU, RAM, disk space, and graphics card, while Chrome OS and Android have the lowest requirements. macOS and Linux have moderate requirements, depending on the hardware and software configuration. Therefore, Windows is the operating system that typically requires the most computing resources from the host computer.

References:

Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, or Linux: Which Operating System Is Right for You?1

Comparison of operating systems3

Windows 10 vs 11 Minimum System Requirements: Why Need a New One?2

macOS Monterey - Technical Specifications

Chrome OS - Wikipedia

Android - Wikipedia

Installation/SystemRequirements - Community Help Wiki

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a remote access tool that allows the technician to access and control various Windows, Linux, and macOS desktops on the company LAN using a graphical user interface. VNC does not require an external internet connection, as it works over a local network or a VPN. VNC uses a client-server model, where the server runs on the remote desktop and the client connects to it from another device. VNC can transmit the keyboard and mouse events from the client to the server, and the screen updates from the server to the client, enabling the technician to interact with the remote desktop as if it were local12.

VNC is a better option than the other choices because:

RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) (B) is not a single software solution, but a category of software solutions that enable IT professionals to remotely monitor, manage, and troubleshoot multiple devices and networks. RMM software may include remote access tools, but also other features such as patch management, backup and recovery, security, reporting, and automation. RMM software may require an external internet connection, as it often relies on cloud-based services or web-based consoles34.

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) © is a remote access tool that allows the technician to access and control Windows desktops on the company LAN using a graphical user interface. However, RDP is not compatible with Linux or macOS desktops, unless they have third-party software installed that can emulate or translate the RDP protocol. RDP also has some security and performance issues, such as encryption vulnerabilities, bandwidth consumption, and latency problems56.

SSH (Secure Shell) (D) is a remote access tool that allows the technician to access and control various Windows, Linux, and macOS desktops on the company LAN using a command-line interface. SSH does not require an external internet connection, as it works over a local network or a VPN. SSH uses encryption and authentication to secure the communication between the client and the server. However, SSH does not provide a graphical user interface, which may limit the functionality and usability of the remote desktop7 .

References:

1: What is VNC? - Definition from Techopedia1 2: How VNC Works - RealVNC2 3: What is Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)? - Definition from Techopedia3 4: What is RMM Software? - NinjaRMM4 5: What is Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)? - Definition from Techopedia5 6: Remote Desktop Protocol: What it is and how to secure it - CSO Online6 7: What is Secure Shell (SSH)? - Definition from Techopedia7 : How to Use SSH to Access a Remote Server in Linux or Windows - Hostinger Tutorials

Configuring remote wipe allows the device owner or administrator to erase all the data on the device remotely, in case it is lost or stolen. This prevents unauthorized access to confidential data and reduces the risk of data breaches. Installing a VPN, implementing location tracking, and enabling backups are useful features, but they do not directly limit the loss of data if the device is compromised. References: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, Domain 2.0: Security, Objective 2.5: Given a scenario, use methods to secure mobile devices.

 Group Policy is a feature of Windows that allows administrators to centrally manage and configure the settings of computers and users in a domain network. Group Policy can be used to modify the default home page of all the workstations in a company by creating and applying a policy that specifies the desired URL for the home page. This way, the change will be automatically applied to all the workstations that are joined to the domain and receive the policy.

Recovery mode is a special boot option that allows the user to access advanced tools and features to troubleshoot and remove malware from the device. Recovery mode can also restore the system to a previous state or reset the device to factory settings. Running System Restore, scheduling a scan, or restarting the PC may not be effective in removing the malware, as it may still be active or hidden in the system files.

devmgmt.msc is the MMC snap-in that opens the Device Manager, a tool that allows the technician to view and manage the hardware devices and their drivers on the computer1. If the applications are not updating properly, it could be due to outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers that prevent the hardware from functioning normally. The technician can use the Device Manager to update, uninstall, rollback, or disable the drivers, as well as scan for hardware changes, troubleshoot problems, and view device properties2.

gpedit.msc is the MMC snap-in that opens the Group Policy Editor, a tool that allows the technician to configure the local or domain group policy settings for the computer or a group of computers3. Group policy settings can affect the security, performance, and functionality of the system, but they are not directly related to the application updates or the hardware drivers.

perfmon.msc is the MMC snap-in that opens the Performance Monitor, a tool that allows the technician to monitor and analyze the performance of the system and its components, such as processor, memory, disk, network, etc4. Performance Monitor can display real-time data or collect log data for later analysis, as well as generate reports and alerts based on the performance counters5. Performance Monitor can help the technician identify and diagnose performance issues, but it does not provide a way to manage the hardware drivers.

References:

The Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Guide6, page 223, 225, 227, 228.

Event Viewer is a Microsoft tool that records and displays system events, errors, warnings, and information. Event Viewer can help troubleshoot and diagnose problems, such as unexpected shutdowns, by showing the details of what happened before, during, and after the incident. Event Viewer can also show the source of the event, such as an application, a service, a driver, or a hardware device. By using Event Viewer, a technician can identify the root cause of the unexpected shutdown, such as a power failure, a thermal event, a driver conflict, or a malware infection. 

To change the wallpaper on a Windows 10 laptop, the "Personalization" settings should be used. These settings allow users to customize themes, which include various aspects of the desktop environment such as the desktop wallpaper, screen saver, color scheme, and more. This makes "Personalization" the correct option for customizing the wallpaper.References: Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Student Guide​​.

Copying the program file to a USB drive and installing it from there is the simplest and most reliable way to transfer the software from the network share to the Windows tablet. The other options are either unnecessary, risky, or impractical. Burning the program file to a CD requires a CD burner and a CD reader, which may not be available on the tablet. Formatting or replacing the HDD will erase all the data and settings on the tablet, which is not advisable unless there is a backup or a serious problem. Moreover, formatting or replacing the HDD will not solve the issue of copying the program file from the network share.

References: 1 How To Copy A Program From One Computer To Another: 5 files between your Android tablet and PC using Files Between Your Tablet and Computer with Huawei to Transfer Installed Programs to Another PC on Windows

A sandbox is an isolated environment that allows for the testing of critical systems without the risk of them being negatively impacted by changes. A sandbox can be used to simulate real-world scenarios, experiment with new features, debug errors, or evaluate the performance and security of a system. A sandbox can be created using virtualization, emulation, or containerization technologies. A sandbox prevents any changes made in the testing environment from affecting the production environment, which is the actual system that is used by the end users.

Windows is widely used in industrial and business environments due to its major market presence, extensive support from the industry, and a broad selection of operating system options. It supports a wide variety of software, making it suitable for running complex systems like an inventory management system in a factory. Other options such as Chrome OS, Android, and iOS are either more consumer-oriented or designed for specific types of devices, making them less likely choices for an industrial application like inventory management.References: Professor Messer’s CompTIA 220-1102 A+ Course Notes​​.

A knowledge base is a centralized repository of information that can be used by technicians to find solutions to common problems, best practices, troubleshooting guides, and other useful resources12. Updating the knowledge base with the details of the issue and the resolution can help other technicians who encounter similar issues in the future. It can also reduce the number of tickets and improve customer satisfaction3.

References1: The Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Student Guide (Exam 220-1102), page 10-11 2: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 13 3: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Certification Study Guide, page 10-12

This is a scenario of a potential tech support scam, where a fraudster pretends to be a technical support agent and tries to trick the user into giving them access to the computer, personal information, or money. The user should not trust any unsolicited calls from unknown people claiming to be from tech support, as they might be trying to install malware, steal data, or charge for fake services. The user should only accept calls from known people, such as their IT department, their service provider, or their software vendor, and verify their identity before logging in to the computer. The user should also report any suspicious calls to the appropriate authorities or organizations.

References:

How to protect against tech support scams1

Avoid and report Microsoft technical support scams2

How to Protect Against Technical Support Scams3

How To Recognize and Avoid Tech Support Scams4

The most likely cause of the user’s laptop issues is that it has been infected by some type of malware or ransomware. Malware and ransomware are malicious software that can harm, exploit, or disrupt devices or networks12. They can cause symptoms such as slow performance, browser redirects, pop-up windows, data encryption, or ransom demands12. Therefore, the first step a technician should take to resolve the issue is to scan the laptop for malware and ransomware using a reliable and updated anti-malware tool34. This can help identify and remove any malicious software that may be present on the laptop. Scanning for malware and ransomware is more effective and urgent than the other options because:

Performing a system restore may not remove the malware or ransomware, as some of them can persist or hide in the system files or backup copies34. Moreover, a system restore may result in data loss or corruption, as it restores the system to a previous state and deletes any changes made after that point5.

Checking the network utilization may not help diagnose or fix the problem, as the malware or ransomware may not be using the network at all, or may be using it in a stealthy or encrypted manner34. Furthermore, checking the network utilization does not address the root cause of the issue, which is the presence of malicious software on the laptop.

Updating the antivirus software may not be sufficient to detect or remove the malware or ransomware, as some of them may evade or disable the antivirus software, or may be too new or unknown for the antivirus software to recognize34. Additionally, updating the antivirus software does not guarantee that the laptop will be scanned for malware or ransomware, as the user may need to initiate or schedule the scan manually.

Quarantining the infected system is the most appropriate way to remediate the issue of an infection that the antivirus software cannot remove. Quarantining means isolating the system from the network and other devices to prevent the infection from spreading or causing further damage. Quarantining also allows the technician to perform further analysis and removal of the infection without risking the security of other systems or data.

Some of the steps involved in quarantining an infected system are:

Disconnect the system from the internet and any local network connections, such as Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth, or USB.

Disable any file-sharing or remote access services on the system, such as Windows File Sharing, Remote Desktop, or TeamViewer.

Use a separate device to download and update the antivirus software and any other tools that may be needed to remove the infection, such as malware scanners, rootkit removers, or bootable rescue disks.

Transfer the updated antivirus software and tools to the infected system using a removable media, such as a CD, DVD, or USB flash drive. Scan the removable media for any infections before and after using it on the infected system.

Run the antivirus software and tools on the infected system and follow the instructions to delete or quarantine the infection. If the infection is persistent or complex, it may require booting the system from a rescue disk or using a Linux live disc to access and clean the system files.

After the infection is removed, restore the system to a previous clean state using System Restore, backup, or recovery partition. Scan the system again to ensure that it is clean and secure. Reconnect the system to the network and update the system and the antivirus software.

References:

How to Identify and Repair Malware or Virus Infected Computers, section 31

Uninstalling Antivirus Software, the Clean Way: 40 Removal Tools & Instructions, section 22

How to manually remove an infected file from a Windows computer3

The Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Guide (220-1102), page 2194

The hostname command-line tool is used to display the name of the local machine. This information can be crucial for identifying the device within a network, especially when setting up remote access or sharing resources like folders and printers. Unlike other command-line tools that provide more detailed network diagnostics or configuration details, hostname straightforwardly offers the device's network identification, making it suitable for the scenario described.References: Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Student Guide​​.

The ifconfig command is a tool for configuring network interfaces that any Linux system administrator should know. It is used to bring interfaces up or down, assign and remove addresses and routes, manage ARP cache, and much more1. One of the information that ifconfig can display is the MAC address of each network interface, which is a unique identifier of the physical layer of the network device. The MAC address is usually shown as a hexadecimal string separated by colons, such as 00:0c:29:3f:5c:1f. To get the MAC address of a Linux distribution, a technician can use the ifconfig command without any arguments, which will show the details of all the active network interfaces, or specify the name of a particular interface, such as eth0 or wlan0, to show only the details of that interface.

References1: Linux Commands - CompTIA A+ 220-1102 - 1.11 - Professor Messer IT Certification Training Courses1

The first step in troubleshooting a hardware issue is to identify the hardware device that is causing the problem. Asking the user for the model number of the hardware can help the help desk technician to find the specifications, manuals, drivers, and other relevant information for the device. This can also help the technician to determine if the device is compatible with the user’s system, if it has any known issues or defects, and if it is covered by warranty or support contract. Asking the user for the model number of the hardware is a help desk best practice that can save time and effort in resolving the issue

WPA2 is the only protocol among the options that supports fast roaming between networks. Fast roaming, also known as IEEE 802.11r or Fast BSS Transition (FT), enables a client device to roam quickly in environments implementing WPA2 Enterprise security, by ensuring that the client device does not need to re-authenticate to the RADIUS server every time it roams from one access point to another1. WEP, WPA, LEAP, and PEAP do not support fast roaming and require the client device to perform the full authentication process every time it roams, which can cause delays and interruptions in the network service.

References:

The Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Study Guide2, page 263.

WiFi Fast Roaming, Simplified3

The best way to deal with an angry customer who is yelling at a technician is to wait until the customer is done speaking and offer assistance. This shows respect, empathy, and professionalism, and allows the technician to understand the customer’s problem and find a solution. According to the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Certification Study Guide1, some of the steps to handle angry customers are:

Stay calm and do not take it personally.

Listen actively and acknowledge the customer’s feelings.

Apologize sincerely and offer to help.

Restate the customer’s issue and ask for clarification if needed.

Explain the possible causes and solutions for the problem.

Provide clear and realistic expectations for the resolution.

Follow up with the customer until the issue is resolved.

The other options are not appropriate ways to deal with angry customers, as they may worsen the situation or damage the customer relationship. Placing the customer on hold may make them feel ignored or dismissed. Disconnecting the call may make them feel disrespected or abandoned. Escalating the issue to a supervisor may make them feel frustrated or powerless, unless the technician cannot resolve the issue or the customer requests to speak to a supervisor.

References:

CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives2

CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Certification Study Guide1

How To Deal with Angry Customers (With Examples and Tips)3

17 ways to deal with angry customers: Templates and examples4

Six Ways to Handle Angry Customers5

MFA stands for Multi-Factor Authentication, which is a method of verifying a user’s identity using two or more different factors of authentication. The three factors of authentication are something you know, something you have, and something you are. These factors correspond to different types of information or evidence that only the legitimate user should possess or provide. For example:

Something you know: a password, a PIN, a security question, etc.

Something you have: a smart card, a token, a mobile device, etc.

Something you are: a fingerprint, a face, an iris, etc.

MFA provides a higher level of security than single-factor authentication, which only uses one factor, such as a password. MFA reduces the risk of unauthorized access, identity theft, and data breaches, as an attacker would need to compromise more than one factor to impersonate a user. MFA is commonly used for online banking, email accounts, cloud services, and other sensitive applications

 GPT is the correct answer for this question. GPT stands for GUID Partition Table, and it is a partition style that supports up to 128 primary partitions and up to 18 exabytes of disk size per partition. GPT also uses a unique identifier for each partition and provides better data protection and recovery. GPT is suitable for partitioning a hard disk that has five primary partitions with 4TB of free space each. EFS, MBR, and FAT32 are not correct answers for this question. EFS stands for Encrypting File System, and it is a feature that allows encrypting files and folders on NTFS volumes. EFS is not a partition style, but rather a file system attribute. MBR stands for Master Boot Record, and it is an older partition style that supports up to four primary partitions and up to 2TB of disk size per partition. MBR cannot handle five primary partitions with 4TB of free space each. FAT32 stands for File Allocation Table 32, and it is a file system that supports up to 32GB of disk size per partition and up to 4GB of file size. FAT32 is not a partition style, but rather a file system type. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 14

CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam …, page 105

If a user’s iPhone is permanently locked after several failed log-in attempts, the user will need to use the recovery contact and recovery key to restore access, applications, and data to the device. The recovery contact is a trusted person who can receive a verification code from Apple and share it with the user. The recovery key is a 28-character code that the user created when setting up two-factor authentication for their Apple ID. The user will need to enter both the verification code and the recovery key on another device or computer to unlock their iPhone. This method will erase the iPhone and restore it from the iCloud backup

Local Users and Groups is the best option to accomplish this task. Local Users and Groups is a tool that allows managing the local user accounts and groups on a Windows workstation. The technician can use this tool to create a new user account with administrator privileges or add an existing user account to the Administrators group. This way, the technician can log in with the administrator account and make system changes without elevating permissions. Group Policy Editor, Device Manager, and System Configuration are not correct answers for this question. Group Policy Editor is a tool that allows configuring policies and settings for users and computers in a domain environment. Device Manager is a tool that allows managing the hardware devices and drivers on a Windows workstation. System Configuration is a tool that allows modifying the startup options and services on a Windows workstation. None of these tools can directly grant administrator access to a user account. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 13

CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam …, page 103

The most likely cause of the intermittent crashes is that the proprietary software is incompatible, outdated, or corrupted. Reinstalling and updating the software can fix these issues and ensure the software runs smoothly. Reimaging the computer or replacing the system RAM are too drastic and unnecessary steps. Decreasing the page file size can worsen the low memory problem and affect the performance of other applications.

Installing new software on an organization’s system or device can have various implications, such as compatibility, security, performance, licensing, and compliance issues. Therefore, it is important to follow the best practices for software installation, such as doing research on the software, checking the system requirements, scanning the installation file for malware, and obtaining the proper license345. The technician should not install the software without formal approval from the management team, as this could violate the organization’s policies or regulations. The technician should also not install the software without investigating the software and its impact on the organization, as this could introduce potential risks or problems to the system or device. The technician should indicate to the developer that formal approval is needed, and then work with the IT team to evaluate the software and its suitability for the organization before installing it