CompTIAAssociate level220-1102Page 5 of 9

220-1102 exam dumps: questions 401 to 500 of 828

Page 5 of the free 220-1102 question bank for the A+ Core 2 exam. Questions 401 to 500 are listed below, the first 5 in full with answers and explanations. Back to page 1 for the exam overview and FAQ.

Question bank last updated June 2026

Free 220-1102 practice questions

Questions 401 to 405 of 828

Pick an answer before you open the explanation. Each question also has its own page with a permalink.

220-1102 Question 401

Single answerKerberos

A technician joins a Windows 11 laptop to the company domain. The user can sign in to Windows with their domain account, but when they try to access a file share on a domain server, they receive an authentication error. The technician verifies the username and password are correct and notices the laptop's system clock is 12 minutes ahead of the domain controller. Which action is MOST likely to resolve the problem?

  1. A

    Synchronize the laptop's date and time with the domain controller or network time source

  2. B

    Disable NTFS permissions on the file share and rely only on share permissions

  3. C

    Reinstall the network adapter driver on the laptop

  4. D

    Switch the file server from Kerberos to LDAP authentication

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

This scenario tests practical knowledge of Kerberos in an Active Directory environment. Kerberos uses time-based tickets issued by the Key Distribution Center (KDC), which is typically running on a domain controller. If the client clock differs too much from the domain controller's clock, Kerberos may reject the authentication attempt to help prevent replay attacks. In Microsoft environments, the default maximum clock skew is commonly 5 minutes, so a 12-minute difference is enough to cause failures when accessing domain resources such as file shares. Best practice is to ensure domain-joined systems synchronize time automatically through the Windows Time service with the domain hierarchy or an approved NTP source. Microsoft documentation on Kerberos authentication and Windows Time service supports time synchronization as a critical requirement for successful Kerberos operation.

  • A. Correct.

    Correct. Kerberos authentication is time-sensitive and depends on the client and domain controller having closely synchronized clocks. In Active Directory environments, a time difference greater than the allowed skew can cause ticket requests or ticket validation to fail, even when the user's credentials are correct. Correcting the laptop's time and syncing it with the domain time source is the most likely fix.

  • B. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. NTFS and share permissions control authorization, not the Kerberos authentication process itself. If the problem is caused by clock skew, changing file permissions will not resolve the underlying ticketing failure and would create an unnecessary security risk.

  • C. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. A bad network adapter driver might cause connectivity problems, but the scenario indicates the laptop is joined to the domain and the user can sign in, which suggests general network communication is working. The specific clue is the 12-minute clock difference, which points to Kerberos time synchronization rather than a driver issue.

  • D. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. LDAP is a directory access protocol, not a replacement for Kerberos authentication in this scenario. In a Windows domain, Kerberos is the default authentication protocol for domain logons and access to domain resources. Changing authentication methods on the server would not be the proper first-line fix for a client clock skew issue.

220-1102 Question 402

Single answerMultifactor

A small medical office requires employees to use multifactor authentication (MFA) for remote access to the patient scheduling system. Several employees share a front desk workstation and do not carry company-issued phones. The office manager wants a solution that improves security without relying on SMS delivery or personal mobile devices. Which of the following is the BEST MFA method to implement for these users?

  1. A

    Require users to enter only a complex password that is changed every 30 days

  2. B

    Send a one-time code by SMS to each employee's personal phone

  3. C

    Issue hardware tokens that generate time-based one-time passwords for each employee

  4. D

    Store a shared recovery code in a desk drawer for front desk staff to use when signing in

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The best answer is to issue hardware tokens that generate time-based one-time passwords. MFA requires two or more authentication factors from different categories, such as something you know, something you have, or something you are. In this scenario, the users already have a password as the knowledge factor, and a hardware token adds a possession factor without depending on SMS or mobile devices. This is a practical real-world solution for shared workstations and regulated environments such as medical offices, where individual accountability and reliable access are important. Security best practices from organizations such as NIST generally favor phishing-resistant or stronger possession-based authentication methods over SMS when feasible, and they emphasize protecting recovery methods and avoiding shared credentials or shared secrets.

  • A. Incorrect.

    This is incorrect because a password alone is single-factor authentication, not multifactor authentication. Even if the password is complex and rotated regularly, it does not satisfy the requirement for a second factor. This reflects a common misconception that stronger passwords can replace MFA.

  • B. Incorrect.

    This is incorrect because, although SMS codes can be used as a second factor, the scenario specifically states that the office manager does not want to rely on SMS delivery or personal mobile devices. In addition, SMS is generally considered weaker than app-based or hardware-token-based methods due to risks such as SIM swapping and message interception.

  • C. Correct.

    This is correct because a hardware token provides a separate authentication factor based on something the user has. Time-based one-time password (TOTP) tokens are practical in shared-workstation environments and do not depend on employees having company phones, personal phones, or cellular service. Assigning each employee an individual token preserves accountability and supports stronger authentication practices.

  • D. Incorrect.

    This is incorrect because a shared recovery code defeats individual accountability and creates a serious security risk. Recovery codes are intended for exceptional account recovery, not routine sign-ins, and should be protected carefully. Leaving one in a desk drawer would allow unauthorized access and undermine the purpose of MFA.

220-1102 Question 403

Select 22.4 Summarize types of malware and tools/methods for detection, removal, and prevention.

A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop has become extremely slow and displays frequent pop-up security warnings urging them to buy a cleanup tool. The web browser opens to unfamiliar pages, and Task Manager briefly appears and then closes by itself. You suspect malware is actively interfering with normal troubleshooting. Which TWO actions should a technician take FIRST to improve the chances of detecting and removing the infection safely?

  1. A

    Boot the system into Safe Mode and run updated anti-malware scans

  2. B

    Disable System Restore permanently before doing anything else

  3. C

    Disconnect the laptop from the network and internet

  4. D

    Run Disk Cleanup to delete temporary files and browser cache

  5. E

    Uninstall the user's web browser and reinstall it from the vendor site

Show answer and explanation

Correct answers: A, C

Explanation

The best initial response is to contain the system and then scan it in a way that limits malware activity. Disconnecting the laptop from the network reduces the risk of spread, remote control, additional payload downloads, and data loss. Booting into Safe Mode and running updated anti-malware tools improves the likelihood of successful detection and removal because fewer malicious services and startup items are active. This approach aligns with common incident-response and malware-removal best practices taught in CompTIA A+ Core 2: identify symptoms, quarantine infected systems, disable unnecessary startup behavior by using Safe Mode when appropriate, remediate with anti-malware tools, and then verify full system functionality. Microsoft security guidance and standard endpoint-security practices also emphasize isolation and scanning with current protection signatures as early steps in malware handling.

  • A. Correct.

    Correct. Booting into Safe Mode can prevent many nonessential startup items and malware processes from loading, making malicious software easier to detect and remove. Running updated anti-malware tools in this reduced environment is a standard best practice when malware is actively resisting removal or interfering with tools such as Task Manager.

  • B. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. Although restore points can sometimes contain infected files, disabling System Restore permanently is not an appropriate first action. In many standard malware-removal workflows, a technician focuses first on containment and scanning. System Restore may be addressed later as part of remediation, but removing a recovery option before assessment is not the best initial step.

  • C. Correct.

    Correct. Disconnecting the device from the network helps contain the threat by preventing further command-and-control communication, data exfiltration, malicious downloads, or spread to other systems. Isolation is one of the first steps in handling suspected malware on an endpoint.

  • D. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. Deleting temporary files may remove some nuisance files and can slightly speed up later scans, but it does not address active malware processes or containment. It is not one of the best first actions when the system shows signs of rogue security software or browser hijacking.

  • E. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. Reinstalling the browser may not remove the underlying malware, especially if the issue is caused by adware, a trojan, malicious startup entries, or system-level persistence. This action treats a symptom rather than the likely root cause.

220-1102 Question 404

Single answerMalware

A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop suddenly displays frequent pop-up warnings claiming the system is infected and urging them to buy a cleanup tool. The browser homepage has changed, security settings are disabled, and Task Manager closes immediately after opening. The device is still connected to the company network. As the technician responding to this incident, what should you do FIRST?

  1. A

    Run System Restore to roll the laptop back to a previous restore point

  2. B

    Disconnect the laptop from the network to contain the infection

  3. C

    Install and run a different web browser to bypass the pop-ups

  4. D

    Uninstall the suspicious cleanup tool from Programs and Features

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The best first action is to disconnect the infected system from the network. In A+ Core 2 malware scenarios, CompTIA commonly expects candidates to follow a practical malware-removal process: identify malware symptoms, quarantine or isolate the infected device, disable System Restore if appropriate, remediate the infection with updated tools, schedule scans, re-enable protections, and educate the user. Isolation comes first because it limits spread and reduces further damage. The described symptoms are consistent with rogue antivirus/scareware and possibly broader malware infection because they include fake infection alerts, changed browser settings, and disabled administrative tools. Standard security best practices from Microsoft and incident response guidance also prioritize containment before eradication.

  • A. Incorrect.

    System Restore may be useful later in remediation, but it is not the first step. CompTIA malware-removal best practices emphasize identifying symptoms and quarantining or isolating the affected system before attempting changes. Restoring too early could fail, spread the infection further if the machine remains connected, or leave active malware in place.

  • B. Correct.

    This is correct. When malware is actively affecting system behavior and the device remains connected to the company network, the first priority is containment. Disconnecting the system from the network helps prevent lateral movement, data exfiltration, command-and-control communication, or infection of shared resources. This aligns with standard incident response and CompTIA's malware-removal methodology to identify and isolate the infected system before remediation.

  • C. Incorrect.

    Changing browsers does not address the underlying malware. The pop-ups, homepage changes, and disabled tools indicate system-level compromise, not just a browser issue. A technician might pick this if they assume the problem is limited to adware in one browser, but the broader symptoms show the infection is affecting the operating system.

  • D. Incorrect.

    Removing a suspicious program can be part of cleanup, but it is not the first action while the system is still connected to the network and actively compromised. Also, some malware does not appear cleanly in Programs and Features, and attempting removal before isolating the device may trigger additional malicious activity or fail because the malware is still running.

220-1102 Question 405

Single answerTrojan

A user reports that after installing a free "video codec" from an unfamiliar website, their Windows 11 laptop began showing fake antivirus pop-ups and making outbound network connections even when no browser is open. The technician suspects a Trojan. What should the technician do FIRST to limit the impact while beginning remediation?

  1. A

    Disconnect the laptop from the network and then begin malware remediation steps

  2. B

    Delete the user's browser history and cached files to stop the pop-ups

  3. C

    Disable User Account Control (UAC) so security tools can remove the infection more easily

  4. D

    Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files before taking any other action

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

Explanation

This question tests practical malware response. In CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives, Trojans are malicious programs disguised as legitimate software and commonly arrive through social engineering, fake installers, or bundled downloads. In a real support scenario, the technician should first contain the threat by disconnecting the device from wired, wireless, VPN, or other network access. That limits command-and-control communication, additional payload downloads, data theft, and spread to other systems. After isolation, standard best practices include identifying and updating antimalware tools as feasible, scanning and removing/quarantining malicious files, scheduling scans if needed, rebooting into safe mode when appropriate, and educating the user to avoid untrusted downloads. This aligns with common incident response guidance from Microsoft security documentation and general malware-remediation best practices: contain first, then eradicate and recover.

  • A. Correct.

    Correct. A Trojan often opens backdoors, downloads additional malware, or communicates with command-and-control systems. The first priority is containment: isolate the infected system from the network to reduce data exfiltration, lateral movement, and further downloads. After isolation, the technician can proceed with standard malware-removal steps such as updating antimalware tools if possible, scanning, quarantining, and validating system integrity.

  • B. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. Clearing browser data may remove some nuisance artifacts, but it does not address the underlying Trojan infection. The scenario includes suspicious outbound connections when the browser is closed, which indicates malware activity beyond normal browser behavior.

  • C. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. Disabling UAC reduces system security and can make the situation worse by allowing malware or tools to run with fewer prompts. Best practice is to keep security controls enabled and use proper administrative procedures during remediation.

  • D. Incorrect.

    Incorrect. Temporary-file cleanup can be useful later in a malware-removal process, but it is not the first action when a Trojan is actively communicating externally. Containment takes priority over general system maintenance.

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220-1102 practice questions 401 to 500 of 828

Every question has a page with the answer and explanation. Numbers are stable, so you can bookmark or share them. The bank is split into 9 pages of up to 100 questions.

  1. 401.A technician joins a Windows 11 laptop to the company domain. The user can sign in to Windows with their...
  2. 402.A small medical office requires employees to use multifactor authentication (MFA) for remote access to the...
  3. 403.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop has become extremely slow and displays frequent pop-up security...
  4. 404.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop suddenly displays frequent pop-up warnings claiming the system is...
  5. 405.A user reports that after installing a free "video codec" from an unfamiliar website, their Windows 11 laptop...
  6. 406.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop is redirecting web searches to unfamiliar sites and disabling...
  7. 407.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop has become unusually slow and keeps opening unwanted browser...
  8. 408.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop has become noticeably slow, the web browser opens unknown...
  9. 409.A help desk technician receives a call from an employee who says all of the files on a shared department...
  10. 410.A help desk technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 laptop used by an accounting employee. The user...
  11. 411.A technician is troubleshooting a Windows workstation that fails to boot normally after a user connected an...
  12. 412.A help desk technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 desktop that has become extremely slow over the past...
  13. 413.A user brings in an Android phone and says their ex-partner seems to know their location, messages, and...
  14. 414.A help desk technician is investigating a Windows 11 workstation that briefly opened a PowerShell window...
  15. 415.A user reports that after installing a free PDF utility, their Windows 11 laptop now displays frequent pop-up...
  16. 416.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop has become noticeably slower over the past week. The browser...
  17. 417.A help desk technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 laptop that is taking several minutes to boot after a...
  18. 418.A technician receives an alert from the company's endpoint detection and response (EDR) platform indicating...
  19. 419.A small medical billing company has only one IT technician and no overnight staff. After a ransomware...
  20. 420.A small business uses an extended detection and response (XDR) platform that collects telemetry from...
  21. 421.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop has become unusually slow and displays repeated pop-ups claiming...
  22. 422.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop is displaying frequent pop-up warnings claiming the device is...
  23. 423.A company recently deployed an email security gateway in front of its mail server after several users...
  24. 424.A small business uses Windows 11 laptops for remote work. After a recent security hardening change, several...
  25. 425.A help desk technician is asked to deliver a short user-awareness session after several employees reported...
  26. 426.A company's help desk has noticed several employees clicking links in fake package-delivery emails and then...
  27. 427.A user’s Windows 11 laptop has become unstable after repeated malware infections and failed repair attempts....
  28. 428.A help desk technician receives a call from someone claiming to be the company's CFO, who says they are...
  29. 429.A help desk technician receives a call from someone claiming to be the company's CFO, who says she is...
  30. 430.A user reports receiving an email that appears to be from the company's payroll provider, stating their...
  31. 431.A help desk technician receives a phone call from someone claiming to be the company's bank fraud department....
  32. 432.A company's help desk receives several calls from employees who got a text message on their personal...
  33. 433.An employee reports receiving a printed flyer in the office break room that says, "Mandatory payroll update -...
  34. 434.A company executive reports receiving an email that appears to come from the CFO and asks for an immediate...
  35. 435.A company's CFO receives an email that appears to come from the CEO while the CEO is traveling. The message...
  36. 436.A help desk technician is setting up temporary workstations for employees in a busy airport lounge after a...
  37. 437.A technician arrives at a company office and uses her badge to enter a secure server room. As the door...
  38. 438.An employee calls the help desk and says they are the CEO, currently traveling, and locked out of email. The...
  39. 439.A technician discovers that an attacker obtained printed network diagrams and a page containing employee...
  40. 440.A user reports that after opening an email attachment labeled as an invoice, their Windows workstation...
  41. 441.A small company hosts its own customer portal on a single web server behind a firewall. On Monday morning,...
  42. 442.A small company's public web portal becomes unreachable shortly after a marketing campaign launches. Internal...
  43. 443.A company employee reports that while working from a coffee shop, their laptop briefly disconnected from...
  44. 444.A help desk technician receives several reports that users who visit a legitimate vendor website are suddenly...
  45. 445.A help desk technician receives several calls from employees who say they got an email from the company's CEO...
  46. 446.Users at a small office report that they can reach websites, but several employees receive browser warnings...
  47. 447.A help desk technician notices repeated failed sign-in attempts against a company's remote access portal from...
  48. 448.A help desk technician notices repeated failed sign-in attempts against several employee accounts in the...
  49. 449.A help desk technician notices that a payroll employee has been copying large amounts of salary data to a...
  50. 450.A small business reports that its internal web-based inventory system is behaving oddly. When a technician...
  51. 451.A help desk technician reports that users are seeing a pop-up message only when viewing certain support...
  52. 452.A finance assistant receives an email that appears to come from the company's CEO, who is traveling overseas....
  53. 453.A small business uses a widely trusted remote monitoring and management (RMM) tool to push updates and...
  54. 454.A small business recently updated the browser on several receptionist PCs after users reported frequent...
  55. 455.A technician is assisting with a security audit at a medical office. One Windows workstation that stores...
  56. 456.A technician is troubleshooting repeated malware infections on several Windows 10 workstations in a small...
  57. 457.A small accounting office reports that one Windows 11 workstation has been running unusually slowly and...
  58. 458.A small medical office uses several Windows 8.1 workstations to access patient scheduling and billing...
  59. 459.A company allows employees to use personal smartphones and tablets to access corporate email and cloud...
  60. 460.A technician is helping a home-based accountant whose Windows 11 laptop suddenly displays constant pop-ups,...
  61. 461.A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 laptop after a user reports that the browser opens to an...
  62. 462.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop suddenly began opening browser pop-ups, running very slowly, and...
  63. 463.A small business uses Windows 11 Home on several laptops. One user reports that the system drive is...
  64. 464.A user reports that their Windows 11 laptop suddenly displays repeated browser pop-ups, runs unusually...
  65. 465.A technician is troubleshooting a Windows 11 laptop that is missing recent malware detections seen on other...
  66. 466.A user's Windows 11 laptop began displaying fake antivirus pop-ups and became extremely slow after opening an...
  67. 467.A technician is reimaging several Windows 11 laptops for a sales department. The company requires that each...
  68. 468.A small accounting office reports that several Windows 11 PCs become very slow every weekday at 10:00 A.M.,...
  69. 469.A customer brings in a Windows Home laptop and asks you to install a line-of-business application that is...
  70. 470.A user in the accounting department reports that a pop-up appeared on her workstation claiming her files were...
  71. 471.A company allows employees to work remotely on Windows 11 laptops that contain sensitive customer data....
  72. 472.A company issues Windows 11 laptops to sales staff who frequently travel with customer contracts stored...
  73. 473.A small accounting firm recently failed a security review because several users were sharing credentials and...
  74. 474.A help desk technician is trying to create a password policy for a small business using Windows local...
  75. 475.A help desk technician is troubleshooting a user account issue on a Windows workstation joined to a company...
  76. 476.A technician is creating local user accounts on several Windows 11 PCs in a small accounting office. Company...
  77. 477.A small medical office asks a technician to recommend a replacement for a shared spreadsheet they use to...
  78. 478.A technician is troubleshooting why several users can no longer connect to the company VPN from their...
  79. 479.A technician is preparing to repurpose several company laptops for a different department. One laptop prompts...
  80. 480.A technician is giving a short security awareness briefing to new office employees after several staff...
  81. 481.A medical office uses Windows 10 workstations at the front desk. Staff members often step away briefly, and...
  82. 482.A medical office uses shared Windows workstations at the front desk. Staff members often step away briefly...
  83. 483.A financial services company issues laptops to loan officers who frequently work in airports, hotels, and...
  84. 484.A technician is replacing several laptops for a human resources department. The old laptops contain...
  85. 485.A small accounting firm has had several users reuse the same weak password across cloud services and internal...
  86. 486.A technician is onboarding a temporary accounting contractor who will use a shared Windows 11 workstation for...
  87. 487.A small office uses Windows 10 Pro laptops joined to a workgroup. Several employees share a laptop in the...
  88. 488.A small business uses Windows PCs joined to an Active Directory domain. Management wants temporary staff in...
  89. 489.A small office uses standalone Windows 10 Pro PCs at a reception desk. During a security review, you discover...
  90. 490.A small office uses Windows 11 Pro PCs joined to a local workgroup. Several employees share the same...
  91. 491.A medical office uses Windows 11 laptops at shared reception desks. Management reports that staff often step...
  92. 492.A company hires a tax consultant who needs access to a Windows 11 workstation and shared company resources...
  93. 493.A small business uses standalone Windows 10 Pro PCs in a front-office area. During a basic security review, a...
  94. 494.A small accounting office has seen several cases where users insert USB flash drives and an installer...
  95. 495.A small business uses several Windows 10 workstations in a finance office. One PC is noticeably slower at...
  96. 496.A company allows sales staff to use corporate-owned smartphones to access email, customer records, and a VPN...
  97. 497.A small accounting firm is preparing a Windows 11 laptop for a seasonal employee who will only use a...
  98. 498.A technician is preparing a Windows 11 Pro laptop for a sales executive who frequently travels with...
  99. 499.A company requires that Windows 11 laptops lock automatically after 10 minutes of inactivity to protect...
  100. 500.A company has issued Windows 11 laptops with infrared (IR) cameras so employees can sign in using facial...