220-1102 Question 618
Single answerHigh number of adsA user reports that every website they visit suddenly shows a large number of pop-up ads and banner ads, even on pages that normally do not contain them. The browser also redirects some searches to unfamiliar sites. The system performance is otherwise normal, and the user says the issue started after installing a free PDF utility. Which of the following should the technician do FIRST to address the most likely cause?
- A
Run anti-malware scans and inspect the browser for suspicious extensions or add-ons
- B
Replace the computer's RAM because excessive ads indicate memory corruption
- C
Reinstall the operating system immediately without any other troubleshooting
- D
Update the monitor driver because display issues can cause websites to show extra ads
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The symptoms described, many unexpected ads, pop-ups, and search redirects beginning after installation of a free utility, most closely match adware or a potentially unwanted application, often combined with a malicious or unwanted browser extension. In CompTIA A+ Core 2 objectives, technicians are expected to recognize common malware symptoms and apply proper remediation steps. Best practice is to start with anti-malware scanning, inspect and remove suspicious browser extensions, verify browser settings such as homepage and default search engine, and uninstall suspicious recently added applications. Vendor guidance from browser makers and security vendors commonly recommends reviewing extensions and running trusted malware-removal tools when users experience injected ads or redirects.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A sudden increase in ads, pop-ups, and browser redirects after installing freeware strongly suggests adware or a potentially unwanted program (PUP), often delivered through bundled software or malicious browser extensions. The best first step is to run reputable anti-malware tools and check for suspicious browser add-ons, extensions, homepage changes, and search engine changes. This aligns with standard malware-removal methodology used in A+ Core 2: identify symptoms, quarantine/remediate, and remove malicious software or unwanted extensions.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Excessive ads are not a symptom of bad RAM. Faulty memory is more likely to cause crashes, blue screens, application instability, or corrupted data, not browser redirects and advertising injections. This option reflects a hardware-focused misconception when the symptoms point to software-based adware.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Reinstalling the operating system may remove the problem, but it is not the first or most appropriate step in this scenario. A technician should begin with targeted malware and browser troubleshooting, which is faster, less disruptive, and consistent with best practices. Reimaging is generally a later step if remediation fails or the system is heavily compromised.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A monitor driver affects display output, resolution, refresh rate, and compatibility with the screen hardware. It does not alter website content to inject advertisements or redirect searches. This distractor confuses a display problem with browser- or system-level malicious behavior.