220-1102 CompTIA A+ Certification Core 2 Exam Questions and Answers

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​​.

Authenticator applications are designed to enhance security by generating temporary, time-sensitive passcodes used in two-factor authentication (2FA) processes. These passcodes are used in conjunction with traditional credentials (like usernames and passwords) to grant access to systems or applications. This extra layer of security ensures that even if primary login credentials are compromised, unauthorized access is still prevented without the dynamically generated code from the authenticator app.

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.

Windows 10 includes a set of parental controls within the "Family Options" section of the Windows settings. This feature allows parents to manage their children's computing activities, including setting time limits on device use, filtering web content, managing privacy and online safety settings, and viewing activity reports.

Family Options: By enabling and configuring Family Options, the user can set specific times when their children can use the device and access the internet, effectively limiting their overall screen time and internet usage.

Update & Security (B) mainly deals with Windows updates and security features but does not directly provide settings for time management. Ease of Access (C) is focused on accessibility settings and does not include time management options. Network & Internet (D) settings control network connectivity and do not offer parental controls or time limits. Privacy (E) settings manage which applications can access device features and user data but do not include time management options.

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.

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.

If a technician is unable to run an OS installation file and receives a message indicating no software is installed to handle the file, the next step is to mount the ISO file. Mounting the ISO will create a virtual drive from which the installation can be run, mimicking the behavior of a physical installation media.

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

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).

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.

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.

The newly installed OS is x86. The x86 version of Windows 10 can only use up to 4GB of RAM. The x64 version of Windows 10 can use up to 2TB of RAM1.

The user can use the Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc) to schedule the browser to automatically launch a traffic website at 4:45 p.m. The Task Scheduler is a tool in Windows that allows users to schedule tasks to run automatically at specified times or in response to certain events.

A technician setting up a new laptop must ensure that users cannot install virtual machines as the company's security policy states  One way to prevent users from enabling virtual technology is by implementing Secure Boot. Secure Boot is a feature of UEFI firmware that ensures the system only boots using firmware that is trusted by the manufacturer. It verifies the signature of all bootloaders, operating systems, and drivers before running them, preventing any unauthorized modifications to the boot process. This will help prevent users from installing virtual machines on the laptop without authorization.

This will ensure that the user is the only one who knows their password, and that the new password is secure. 

The CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1002 exam covers this topic in the domain 1.4 Given a scenario, use appropriate data destruction and disposal methods.

The most likely cause of this issue is that a router was misconfigured and was blocking traffic. This would explain why remote users who were not connected to corporate resources did not have any issues.

The technician should instruct the user to clear the browser cache and contact the bank (option A). This error indicates that the website the user is visiting is not the correct website and is likely due to a cached version of the website being stored in the user's browser. Clearing the browser cache should remove any stored versions of the website and allow the user to access the correct website. The user should also contact the bank to confirm that they are visiting the correct website and to report the error.

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 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.

 The technician should run the System File Checker (SFC) first to correct file corruption errors on computers after a power outage. SFC is a command-line utility that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. It can be run from the command prompt or from the Windows Recovery Environment. Rebuilding the Windows profiles, restoring the computers from backup, and reimaging the computers are more drastic measures that should be taken only if SFC fails to correct the issue1

When disposing of non-compliant Ethernet cards, the most environmentally friendly option is to use a dumpster for recycling plastics. This method is the most effective way to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, and it also helps to reduce the amount of energy used in the production of new materials. Additionally, recycling plastics helps to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that can be released into the environment.

According to CompTIA A+ Core 2 documents, "The most environmentally friendly disposal method for non-compliant Ethernet cards is to use a dumpster for recycling plastics. This method is the most effective way to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, and it also helps to reduce the amount of energy used in the production of new materials."

https://sustainability.yale.edu/blog/how-sustainably-dispose-your-technological-waste

Encrypting the laptop's hard drive will ensure that any sensitive data stored on the laptop is secure, even if the laptop is lost or stolen. Encryption ensures that the data cannot be accessed by anyone without the correct encryption key. This is an important security measure for any laptop used by an employee who travels, as it helps to protect the data stored on the laptop from unauthorized access.

The GPS application contains malware. The third-party GPS application is likely the cause of the slow performance of the phone. The application may contain malware that is using up system resources and slowing down the phone. The user should uninstall the application and run a malware scan on the phone1

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.

Encryption is a way of protecting cardholder data by transforming it into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with a secret key1. Backups are a way of ensuring that cardholder data is not lost or corrupted in case of a disaster or system failure2. Both encryption and backups are part of the PCI DSS requirements that apply to any entity that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data1. The other options are not directly related to credit card data security or compliance.

Although updating the anti-malware software and running scans are important steps in removing malware, they may not be sufficient to permanently remove the malware if the user keeps engaging in behaviors that leave the system vulnerable, such as downloading unknown files or visiting malicious websites. Therefore, educating the user on safe computing practices is the best way to prevent future infections and permanently remove the malware.

Enabling System Restore, Booting into safe mode, and scheduling a scan are not the most efficient ways to permanently remove the malware. Enabling System Restore and Booting into safe mode may help in some cases, but they may not be sufficient to permanently remove the malware. Scheduling a scan is also important for detecting and removing malware, but it may not be sufficient to prevent future infections.

https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-a-220-1102-exam-objectives-(3-0)

The support representative should send a quick message regarding the delay to the next customer. This will help the next customer understand the situation and adjust their schedule accordingly.

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the files on a system and demands a ransom for their decryption1. Ransomware can also spread to other systems on the network or exfiltrate sensitive data to the attackers2. Therefore, it is important to isolate the infected machine as soon as possible to contain the infection and prevent further damage3. Powering off the machine is a quick and effective way of disconnecting it from the network and stopping any malicious processes running on it12. The other options are not directly related to preventing ransomware damage or may not be effective. Running a full antivirus scan may not be able to detect or remove the ransomware, especially if it is a new or unknown variant1. Removing the LAN card may disconnect the machine from the network, but it may not stop any malicious processes running on it or any data encryption or exfiltration that has already occurred2. Installing a different endpoint solution may not be possible or helpful if the system is already infected and locked by ransomware1.

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.

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.

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.

The change management document that includes how to uninstall a patch is called the “rollback plan”. The rollback plan is a document that outlines the steps that should be taken to undo a change that has been made to a system. In the case of a patch, the rollback plan would include instructions on how to uninstall the patch if it causes problems or conflicts with other software12

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.

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.

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a security measure that requires users to provide multiple pieces of evidence when logging in to an account or system. This can include a combination of something the user knows (e.g. a password or PIN), something the user has (e.g. a security token or smartphone) and something the user is (e.g. biometrics such as a fingerprint or face scan). By enabling MFA, the systems administrator can ensure that users are required to provide multiple pieces of evidence when logging in, making it more difficult for unauthorized users to gain access to the system. This can help reduce the number of help desk tickets submitted due to forgotten passwords.

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.

To accomplish this task, the technician should use a Full backup method1

A full backup only requires two sets of tapes to restore because it backs up all the data from the workstation. With a differential backup, the backups need to be taken multiple times over a period of time, so more tapes would be needed to restore the data1

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 Ease of Access Center is a built-in utility in Windows that provides tools and options for making a computer easier to use for individuals with disabilities, including the visually impaired. In the Ease of Access Center, the technician can turn on options like high contrast display, screen magnification, and screen reader software to help the user better interact with the computer.

To delete an empty directory, enter rd Directory or rmdir Directory . If the directory is not empty, you can remove files and subdirectories from it using the /s switch. You can also use the /q switch to suppress confirmation messages (quiet mode).

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 likely reason the computer is unable to boot into the imaging system via the network is that the PXE boot option has not been enabled. PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) is an environment that allows computers to boot up over the network, instead of from a local disk. In order for this to work, the PXE boot option must be enabled in the computer's BIOS settings. As stated in the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam objectives, technicians should know how to enable PXE in BIOS to enable network booting on a computer.

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.

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

Local Users and Groups is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that allows you to manage user accounts or groups on your computer1. If you cannot find it in the MMC console, you can add it manually by following these steps2:

Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, or open the Command Prompt.

Type mmc and hit Enter. This will open a blank MMC console.

Click File and then Add/Remove Snap-in.

In the Add or Remove Snap-ins window, select Local Users and Groups from the Available snap-ins list, and click Add.

In the Select Computer window, choose Local computer or Another computer, depending on which computer you want to manage, and click Finish.

Click OK to close the Add or Remove Snap-ins window. You should now see Local Users and Groups in the MMC console.

A rollback plan is essential for a change to be approved by a change management review board. It outlines the steps to reverse a change in case something goes wrong, minimizing downtime and mitigating risk. Other items like end-user acceptance and cost analysis are important but not typically the deciding factor for approval.

Smart card and password is an example of two-factor authentication (2FA), not multi-factor authentication (MFA). MFA requires two or more authentication factors. Smart card and password is an example of two-factor authentication (2FA)2

The correct answer is D. Run CHKDSK (Check Disk).

CHKDSK is a command-line utility that scans and repairs file system errors and bad sectors on a disk. Running this tool first can determine whether the hard drive is experiencing file system corruption or physical failure.

If CHKDSK reports bad sectors or extensive corruption, it indicates that the drive is failing, and data backup should be performed immediately before replacing the drive.

Syntax Example:

chkdsk /f /r

/f – Fixes file system errors.

/r – Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Perform a System Restore – System Restore can revert system settings, but it does not fix hardware issues like a failing hard drive.

B. Open Disk Cleanup – Disk Cleanup removes temporary files but does not diagnose or repair disk issues.

C. Replace the hard drive – While replacement may be necessary, a technician should first diagnose the issue using CHKDSK before determining if the drive needs to be replaced.

CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Exam Reference:

Objective 4.1 – Given a scenario, troubleshoot common problems related to storage and RAID.

EFS (Encrypting File System) is a feature of Windows that provides filesystem-level encryption. It is designed to encrypt files and folders to protect them from unauthorized access, even if an attacker has physical access to the computer.

ext: A filesystem type used primarily in Linux, without native encryption features for Windows.

APFS: Apple's filesystem, used in macOS and iOS.

FAT: A simple filesystem type with no encryption features.

EFS: The correct choice for a Windows user needing to encrypt data at the filesystem level to protect against unauthorized physical access.

A jailbroken iPhone (Option D) allows users to bypass Apple's restrictions to install unauthorized apps and modify system settings. This situation suggests the phone may have been compromised or tampered with, potentially voiding warranties and exposing the device to security vulnerabilities.

APK Source (Option A) refers to Android packages, not applicable to iPhones.

Connectivity issues (Option B) doesn't explain the comparison to an identical phone.

Developer Mode (Option C) is typically used for app development, not indicative of the situation.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.7 - Explain mobile device security, including risks of jailbreaking

The best protection against physical threats, especially in a common area where the computer is publicly accessible, involves physically securing the hardware.

Option A: Using screen lockScreen locks are good for securing access temporarily but do not protect against physical tampering or theft.

Option B: Installing a privacy screenPrivacy screens prevent visual access but do not secure the hardware.

Option C: Implementing password complexityPassword complexity helps secure digital access but does not prevent physical threats.

Option D: Locking the computer casePhysically securing the case prevents unauthorized individuals from tampering with internal components or stealing the computer.

Option E: Enabling drive encryptionEncryption protects data but does not prevent physical access to the hardware itself.

When a single user is experiencing network issues while others are unaffected, the first step should always be to check the physical connectivity. This includes verifying that the Ethernet cable is plugged in properly, the NIC is enabled, and the link lights are active.

Option B (Reboot the router): Affects all users and is not necessary since others are not experiencing the issue.

Option C (Disable IPv6): Unlikely to resolve the problem unless you’re troubleshooting a specific IPv6-related issue.

Option D (Check the DNS settings): A valid step if internet access is limited to name resolution problems, but start with physical connectivity first.

? Reference:

CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Exam Objective 2.3 – "Given a scenario, troubleshoot common networking issues."

CompTIA Troubleshooting Methodology – Step 1: Identify the problem.

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)​.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

When a mobile OS is updated, some applications may become incompatible or corrupted due to changes in system files. The best solution is to update the failed software, as the app developer may have released a patch to resolve compatibility issues.

B. Registering the smartphone with an MDM solution – Incorrect. MDM (Mobile Device Management) helps with security policies but does not fix application compatibility issues.

C. Installing a third-party client – Incorrect. Using a different app may work but does not resolve the root cause of the issue.

D. Clearing the cache partition – While clearing the cache can help with performance, it is unlikely to resolve an application not opening due to an OS update.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is highly vulnerable to key-cracking attacks, as its encryption key can be easily broken with freely available tools.

A. Complex configuration process – Incorrect. WEP is actually easy to configure.

B. Slow data transfer speed – Incorrect. WEP does not significantly impact speed.

D. Incompatibility with older devices – Incorrect. WEP is compatible with older devices but is insecure.

Rebooting the computer into safe mode (Option B) limits the processes and services that run, which can help in isolating and removing persistent malware that might be hiding in normal mode. Safe mode provides a cleaner environment to troubleshoot and remove malware.

Restoring from a backup (Option A) may work but should be considered after attempts to clean the infection.

Purchasing a new endpoint protection tool (Option C) is unnecessary at this stage since existing tools can be run in safe mode.

Using system recovery (Option D) could potentially remove the infection, but it's a more drastic step that may not be necessary yet.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

3.3 - Best practices for malware removal, including booting into safe mode

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.

The ipconfig /all output shows the following:

IPv4 Address............ 192.168.0.74Subnet Mask............. 255.255.255.255Default Gateway......... 192.168.0.1

The issue with the subnet mask being set to 255.255.255.255 is that it specifies a single host subnet, meaning the device cannot communicate with other devices on the network or access the internet. The correct subnet mask for a typical home network should be:

Subnet mask of 255.255.255.0: This allows for communication within the same local network (192.168.0.0/24).

Default gateway 192.168.0.1: Correct, this is the typical address for the router.

IPv4 Address 192.168.0.74: Correct, within the correct subnet range.

Changing the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 will resolve the connectivity issue.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

If a new security policy disrupts an essential application, the best course of action is to request a policy exception while a permanent solution is developed. This allows the application to function while ensuring compliance with company security policies.

B. Reinstall the affected software using local administrative rights for each computer – Incorrect. If the security policy is blocking the application, reinstalling it will not resolve the issue.

C. Remove the new security settings and change administrative accounts – Incorrect. Altering security settings without approval could violate company policies and create security risks.

D. Research and procure a replacement application – Incorrect. While replacing the application may be an option, it is not an immediate solution to restoring functionality.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

To minimize costs and user disruption, the technician should:

B. Configure the backup to run after peak hours – This prevents slowdowns during working hours.

D. Use the built-in OS backup utility – This avoids additional licensing costs.

A. Configure the backup to run when the user logs in – Incorrect. This could slow down startup and affect productivity.

C. Use third-party licensed backup software – Incorrect. This would increase expenses.

E. Configure the backup job to run every hour – Incorrect. Frequent backups may slow down the system unnecessarily.

F. Use an external storage device – Incorrect. While useful, it may require additional costs and maintenance.

To reduce the risk of brute force attacks, implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective controls. MFA requires additional verification beyond a password, drastically lowering the chance of unauthorized access. Additionally, enforcing account lockouts after a set number of failed login attempts (e.g., five) limits brute force attempts by temporarily disabling accounts when suspicious activity occurs. While limiting access to internal destinations and blocking foreign login attempts can help, they are less reliable and can impact legitimate access. Replacing the remote tool or purchasing a password manager does not directly address brute force risks. These mitigation techniques are fundamental security practices emphasized in CompTIA A+ Core 2 Security domain.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Device encryption ensures that even if someone gains physical access to the smartphone, they cannot access its contents without the encryption key.

A. Remote backups – Useful for data recovery but does not prevent unauthorized access.

B. Location tracking – Helps locate the device but does not protect its data.

C. PIN code screen lock – Adds security but is less effective than full encryption.

In change management, the scope of a project lists all the changes that are taking place. The scope ensures that all team members understand the boundaries and extent of the project, helping to prevent unexpected changes. Here’s a

Scope: Defines the project's boundaries and deliverables, including all the planned changes. It ensures that everyone involved understands what is included and excluded in the project, minimizing unexpected changes.

Risk analysis: Identifies potential risks and their impact but does not list the changes.

Rollback plan: Provides a strategy for reverting changes if something goes wrong but does not list changes.

Review: Involves evaluating changes but does not compile the list of changes.

The technician should disconnect the computer from the network (Option A) first to prevent any further spread of the infection or data loss. Once the machine is isolated from the network, the technician can safely investigate the malware without risking infection to other systems.

Running an antivirus scan (Option B) comes after isolating the system.

Rebooting the computer (Option C) could lead to the loss of critical information or make it harder to diagnose the issue.

Educating the user (Option D) is important but should happen after resolving the immediate issue.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

3.3 - Best practices for malware removal, including isolating the system first​.

When a legacy application is not fully functional after upgrading the Windows operating system, the first step to troubleshoot the issue is to:

Run the application as Administrator: Legacy applications often require administrative privileges to run correctly. Running the application with these privileges can resolve issues related to permissions and access to certain system resources.

Raise the User Account Control level: This increases security prompts but does not resolve compatibility issues.

Turn off Windows Defender Firewall: This can expose the system to security risks and is unlikely to resolve application functionality issues.

Disable compatibility mode for the application: Compatibility mode should generally be enabled for legacy applications to ensure they run properly on newer OS versions.

Malware infections are commonly prevented by having updated endpoint protection software (antivirus/antimalware). Keeping this software updated ensures it can detect and remove the latest threats effectively before they cause damage. Restore points and preinstallation environments are recovery methods but do not prevent malware infections. Disabling System Restore removes the ability to roll back system changes, which is counterproductive. Endpoint protection software is a fundamental security control in Core 2 security domains and is critical in maintaining system integrity and preventing infections. Regular updates to antivirus definitions and endpoint software are a proactive defense aligned with security best practices covered in the official CompTIA materials.

Creating a domain and joining the workstations to it provides centralized management and control over the computers, making the environment much more manageable.

Here's why a domain is beneficial:

Centralized administration: Manage user accounts, security policies, software installations, and updates from a single location (the domain controller).

Group Policy: Implement and enforce security policies, configure system settings, and control user access to resources.

Simplified updates: Deploy software updates and patches to multiple computers simultaneously.

Improved security: Enforce stronger password policies, control access to sensitive data, and enhance overall network security.

Here's why the other options are less suitable:

A. Downgrade all workstations from the Pro version to the Home version of the OS: The Home version has fewer features and management capabilities than the Pro version, making it less suitable for a business environment.

B. Upgrade all workstations from the Pro version to Pro for Workstations: While Pro for Workstations has advanced features, it's designed for high-performance tasks and might not be necessary for all users.

D. Make sure all workstations are operating under the same workgroup name: While being in the same workgroup allows for basic network sharing, it doesn't provide the centralized management capabilities of a domain.

The correct answer is B. Scripted Deployment.

Scripted deployment is the most effective method for remotely installing software across multiple devices, including remote employees’ machines.

IT departments commonly use scripting tools like PowerShell, Bash, or batch scripts, along with software deployment solutions like Microsoft SCCM, Intune, or Group Policy.

This method ensures automation, consistency, and remote execution without requiring physical access to each device.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

A. Clone – Cloning is used to replicate entire system images but is not practical for deploying individual software programs remotely.

C. In-place – This term typically refers to in-place upgrades or updates to existing software, not new software deployment across multiple machines.

D. Image – Imaging refers to creating a full system image, including the OS and applications. While useful for deploying new computers, it is not ideal for remotely installing software on existing systems.

CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Exam Reference:

Objective 3.3 – Given a scenario, use remote access technologies.

Objective 4.2 – Given a scenario, implement cybersecurity best practices.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Many modern laptops have both an integrated GPU (built into the CPU) and a dedicated GPU (such as NVIDIA or AMD). The system may default to the integrated GPU to save power, which results in poor gaming performance. The technician should manually set the game to use the dedicated graphics card to resolve the issue.

A. Overclock the RAM – Incorrect. While overclocking RAM can improve performance slightly, it does not resolve GPU-related gaming lag.

B. Enable NIC teaming – Incorrect. NIC teaming improves network bandwidth and has no effect on gaming graphics.

D. Activate CPU hyperthreading – Incorrect. Hyperthreading improves multitasking but does not directly impact gaming graphics performance.

Disabling guest accounts on domain-joined machines is done through Group Policy. Group Policy allows centralized management and configuration of operating systems, applications, and users' settings in an Active Directory environment. By using the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), administrators can enforce policies such as disabling the guest account across all machines within the domain. The other options (Firewall, Microsoft Management Console, MSConfig) do not provide functionality specific to managing user accounts in this context.

In change management, the scope of a project lists all the changes that are taking place. The scope ensures that all team members understand the boundaries and extent of the project, helping to prevent unexpected changes. Here’s a

Scope: Defines the project's boundaries and deliverables, including all the planned changes. It ensures that everyone involved understands what is included and excluded in the project, minimizing unexpected changes.

Risk analysis: Identifies potential risks and their impact but does not list the changes.

Rollback plan: Provides a strategy for reverting changes if something goes wrong but does not list changes.

Review: Involves evaluating changes but does not compile the list of changes.

When troubleshooting an application that is not performing well and occasionally shuts down with no error, the "Performance" tab in Task Manager is the most appropriate tool to use. This tab provides real-time data on CPU, memory, disk, and network usage, which can help identify resource bottlenecks or spikes that could be causing the application to malfunction. Monitoring these metrics while the application is running can offer insights into whether the issue is related to system resources.

A. Users tab shows which users are currently logged into the system and their resource usage but does not provide detailed performance metrics for troubleshooting application issues.

B. Services tab shows the status of background services but does not provide direct information about the application's performance.

D. Startup tab manages which applications start with Windows and their impact on startup time but is not useful for monitoring active application performance.

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.

Cryptomining malware is a type of malicious program that uses the CPU resources of a compromised server to generate cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. It can cause extremely high CPU utilization and network traffic to the IP address of the cryptocurrency service. Keylogger, ransomware and boot sector virus are other types of malware, but they do not cause the same symptoms as cryptomining malware. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-cryptomining https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

The best operations to do to resolve the issue of a long boot time at a minimal expense are B. Removing the applications from startup and D. Running the Disk Cleanup utility. These are two simple and effective ways to speed up your PC’s boot time without spending any money on hardware upgrades.

Removing the applications from startup means preventing unnecessary programs from launching automatically when you turn on your computer. This can reduce the load on your system resources and make the boot process faster. You can do this in Windows 10 by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Esc to open the Task Manager, and going to the Startup tab. There, you can see a list of programs that start with your computer, and their impact on the startup performance. You can disable any program that you don’t need by right-clicking on it and choosing Disable12.

Running the Disk Cleanup utility means deleting temporary files, system files, and other unnecessary data that may be taking up space and slowing down your computer. This can free up some disk space and improve the performance of your system. You can do this in Windows 10 by typing disk cleanup in the search box and selecting the Disk Cleanup app. There, you can choose which files you want to delete, such as Recycle Bin, Temporary Internet Files, Thumbnails, etc. You can also click on Clean up system files to delete more files, such as Windows Update Cleanup, Previous Windows installation(s), etc34.

Anti-phishing training is a method of educating users on how to identify and avoid phishing attacks, which are attempts to trick users into revealing sensitive information or performing malicious actions by impersonating legitimate entities or persons. Whaling attacks are a specific type of phishing attack that target high-level executives or influential individuals within an organization. Anti-phishing training can help users recognize the signs of whaling attacks and prevent them from falling victim to them. Screened subnet, firewall, and antivirus are not items that can directly address the issue of whaling attacks.

Incremental backups are backups that only include the changes made since the last backup, whether it was a full or an incremental backup. Incremental backups minimize the capacity of storage used and are often used in conjunction with synthetic full backups, which are backups that combine a full backup and subsequent incremental backups into a single backup set.

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.

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.

A corporate security policy can restrict a corporate-managed mobile device from updating its OS automatically, even if the auto-update feature is turned on. This can be done to prevent compatibility issues, security risks or performance problems caused by untested or unwanted updates. The device administrator can control when and how the updates are applied to the device. The device not having enough free space, needing domain administrator confirmation or being incompatible with the newest version of the OS are not likely causes of the issue, since the user would receive an error message or a notification in those cases. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/mobile-device-management https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

DNS (domain name system) is a protocol that translates domain names to IP addresses. If the computer has an incorrect DNS address assigned, it will not be able to resolve the domain names of web-based applications and access them. A firewall, a VLAN (virtual local area network) and a browser cache are not the most likely reasons for the issue, since the computer can ping known IP addresses on the internet and receive a response. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-dns https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

Resource Monitor is a tool that shows the network activity of each process on a Windows machine, including the TCP connections and the sent and received bytes. Performance Monitor is a tool that shows the performance metrics of the system, such as CPU, memory, disk and network usage. Command Prompt is a tool that allows running commands and scripts on a Windows machine. System Information is a tool that shows the hardware and software configuration of a Windows machine. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/how-to-use-resource-monitor https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-efs https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

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.

Creating a database is the most likely option to help the company gain a holistic view of asset cost. A database can store and organize information about the assets, such as purchase date, depreciation value, maintenance cost, warranty status, and replacement cost. Assigning users to assets, inventorying asset tags, and updating the procurement account owners are important steps for asset management, but they do not directly provide a holistic view of asset cost. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 18

CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam …, page 101

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.

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.

Power Plans are Windows settings that allow a user to configure how a laptop’s screen behaves when plugged in or running on battery power. They can adjust the screen brightness and the time before the screen turns off due to inactivity. Hibernate, Sleep/Suspend and Screensaver are other Windows settings that affect how a laptop’s screen behaves, but they do not allow changing the screen brightness or turning off time. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/windows-power-plans https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

Zombies and botnets are terms that describe the types of infections that can cause internal workstations to participate in a DDoS (distributed denial-of-service) attack. A DDoS attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a website or a network by overwhelming it with a large amount of traffic from multiple sources. Zombies are infected computers that are remotely controlled by hackers without the owners’ knowledge or consent. Botnets are networks of zombies that are coordinated by hackers to launch DDoS attacks or other malicious activities. Keylogger, adware, ransomware, and spyware are not types of infections that can cause internal workstations to participate in a DDoS attack.

An unattended installation is the fastest way to install Windows 10 on a newly built computer. It uses an answer file that contains all the configuration settings and preferences for the installation, such as language, product key, partition size, etc. It does not require any user interaction or input during the installation process. Factory reset, System Restore and in-place upgrade are not methods of installing Windows 10 on a new computer, but ways of restoring or updating an existing Windows installation. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-an-unattended-installation https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

Private-browsing mode is the best option to mitigate the risk of customer data being accidentally saved to the kiosk. Private-browsing mode prevents the browser from storing cookies, history, passwords, and other data that could reveal the customer’s identity or preferences. Manually clearing browsing data is not a reliable option, as it depends on the customer’s awareness and willingness to do so. Browser data synchronization and password manager are features that could actually increase the risk of customer data being exposed, as they could sync or autofill sensitive information across devices or accounts. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 12

Certification Study Guides and Books | CompTIA IT Certifications, CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 Certification Study Guide, page 234

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.

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/change-management-process https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

FileVault is a macOS utility that uses AES-128 (Advanced Encryption Standard) to encrypt the startup disk of a Mac computer. It protects the data from unauthorized access if the computer is lost or stolen. fdisk and Diskpart are disk partitioning utilities for Linux and Windows, respectively. Disk Utility is another macOS utility that can perform disk management tasks, such as formatting, resizing, repairing, etc. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-filevault https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-input-validation https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

The correct answer is A. Document the date and time of change. After implementing a change, the technician should document the date and time of change in the change log or record. This helps to track the change history, monitor the change performance, and identify any issues or incidents related to the change. Documenting the date and time of change is also a good practice for auditing and compliance purposes.

Documenting the purpose of the change (B) and the risk level © are steps that should be done before implementing the change, not after. These are important information that help to justify, prioritize, and plan the change. The purpose of the change should explain why the change is needed and what benefits it will bring to the organization. The risk level should assess the potential impact and probability of the change causing any problems or disruptions to the business.

Documenting the findings of the sandbox test (D) is also a step that should be done before implementing the change, not after. A sandbox test is a way of testing the change in an isolated environment that mimics the production environment. This helps to verify that the change works as expected and does not cause any errors or conflicts with other systems or processes. The findings of the sandbox test should be documented and reviewed by the change advisory board (CAB) before approving the change for implementation.

Disk Defragment is a tool that can be used to improve the performance of a hard disk drive (HDD). HDDs store data in sectors and clusters on spinning platters. Over time, as data is written, deleted, and moved, the data may become fragmented, meaning that it is spread across different locations on the disk. This causes the HDD to take longer to access and load data, resulting in slower performance. Disk Defragment consolidates the fragmented data and rearranges it in a contiguous manner, which reduces the seek time and increases the speed of the HDD. Disk Management, Disk Cleanup, and Device Manager are not tools that can alleviate the issue of slow HDD performance.

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-netstat https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

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: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-end-of-life https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

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.

 Task Manager is the best tool to use to disable applications on startup in Windows 10. Task Manager is a built-in utility that shows the current processes, performance, and users on a system. It also has a Startup tab that lists the applications that run on boot and their impact on the system. The technician can use Task Manager to disable or enable any application on startup by right-clicking on it and selecting the appropriate option. System Configuration, Performance Monitor, and Group Policy Editor are other tools that can be used to manage system settings, but they are not as simple or convenient as Task Manager for this task. 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

PXE (Preboot eXecution Environment) boot is an orchestration tool that allows a desktop administrator to deploy a standard image to multiple computers over a network. It requires a PXE server that hosts the image and a PXE client that boots from the network interface card (NIC). USB drive and DVD installation media are not orchestration tools, but manual methods of installing an image on each computer individually. Recovery partition is not an orchestration tool, but a hidden partition on the hard drive that contains an image of the factory settings. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-pxe-boot https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

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 D. Force Quit. Force Quit is a macOS feature that allows users to close an application that has stopped responding. To use Force Quit, users can press and hold Option (or Alt), Command, and Esc (Escape) keys together, or choose Force Quit from the Apple menu in the corner of the screen. A Force Quit window will open, where users can select the application that they want to close and click Force Quit123.

References and Explanation:

The web search results provide information about how to force an app to quit on Mac using different methods, such as keyboard shortcuts, mouse clicks, or menu options. The results also explain what to do if the app cannot be forced to quit or if the Mac does not respond.

The first result1 is from the official Apple Support website and provides detailed instructions and screenshots on how to force an app to quit on Mac using the keyboard shortcut or the Apple menu. It also explains how to force quit the Finder app and how to restart or turn off the Mac if needed.

The second result2 is from the same website but for a different region (UK). It has the same content as the first result but with some minor differences in spelling and wording.

The third result4 is from a website called Lifehacker that provides tips and tricks for various topics, including technology. It compares how to close a program that is not responding on different operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, and Linux. It briefly mentions how to force quit an app on Mac using the keyboard shortcut or the mouse click.

The fourth result3 is from a website called Parallels that provides software solutions for running Windows on Mac. It focuses on how to force quit an app on Mac using the keyboard shortcut and provides a video tutorial and a screenshot on how to do it. It also suggests some alternative ways to close an app that is not responding, such as using Activity Monitor or Terminal commands.

ACL (access control list) is a security control that describes what permissions a user or group has on a shared network folder using NTFS (New Technology File System) security settings. It can be used to grant or deny read, write, modify, delete or execute access to files and folders. SMS (short message service), MFA (multifactor authentication), MDM (mobile device management) are not security controls that apply to shared network folders. Verified References: https://www.comptia.org/blog/what-is-an-acl https://www.comptia.org/certifications/a

Net use is a command-line tool that can be used to map a drive in Windows. Mapping a drive means assigning a drive letter to a network location or a local folder, which allows the user to access it more easily and quickly. Net use can also be used to disconnect a mapped drive, display information about mapped drives, or connect to shared resources on another computer. Gpupdate, hostname, and dir are not command-line tools that can be used to map a drive.

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a protocol that allows a user to connect to and control a remote computer over a network. RDP can be used to perform Windows updates on a department’s servers without physically accessing them.

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.

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

The correct answers are D. Restricting log-in times and E. Enabling a screen lock. These are the security measures that can be used to prevent the computers from being accessed by unsupervised contractors in the building.

Restricting log-in times means setting a policy that allows users to log in only during certain hours, such as the regular working hours of the company. This will prevent unauthorized access by contractors who work at night1.

Enabling a screen lock means setting a policy that requires users to enter a password or a PIN to unlock their screens after a period of inactivity. This will prevent unauthorized access by contractors who might try to use the computers when the users are away2.

1: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 2 Objectives, page 19, section 2.3. 2: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 2 Objectives, page 20, section 2.4.

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

https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/how-to-get-rid-of-rootkit-windows-10.html

The risk analysis should be performed before it's taken to the board. The step after the board approves the change is End User Agreenment Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru77iZxuElA &list=PLG49S3nxzAnna96gzhJrzkii4hH_mgW4b&index=59

The technician should update the browser’s CRLs first. The error message indicates that the certificate revocation list (CRL) is not up to date. Updating the CRLs will ensure that the browser can verify the authenticity of the bank’s website.

Hash verification is a process that verifies the integrity of a file by comparing the hash value of the downloaded file to the hash value provided by the source1

 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

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/difference-32-bit-64-bit-windows/

 After upgrading from a 32-bit Windows OS to a 64-bit OS, the company will be able to fully take advantage of the RAM of the computer. This is because a 64-bit operating system is able to use larger amounts of RAM compared to a 32-bit operating system, which may benefit the system’s overall performance if it has more than 4GB of RAM installed 

The technician should quarantine the system first1

Since the systems administrator has validated that the workstation functions normally and other users operate on the same workstation without any issues, the next step should be to rebuild the user’s profile. This will ensure that any corrupted files or settings are removed and the user’s profile is restored to its default state.

Account lockout would best mitigate the threat of a dictionary attack1

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.

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

The IT manager is most likely to be concerned about network utilization being significantly increased due to the size of CAD files. Backing up all CAD files to the software’s cloud server can result in a large amount of data being transferred over the network, which can cause network congestion and slow down other network traffic.

To help secure the device against this threat in the future, the administrator should require a PIN on the unlock screen and block a third-party application installation. Requiring a PIN on the unlock screen can help to prevent unauthorized access to the device, while blocking third-party application installation can help to prevent malicious applications from being installed on the device.

 A zero-day attack is an attack that exploits a previously unknown vulnerability in a computer application, meaning that the attack occurs on “day zero” of awareness of the vulnerability

Configuring AAA Services. Retrieved from https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/routers/crs/software/crs_r4-0/security/configuration/guide/sc40crsbook_chapter1.html

Using disk-wiping software is the most secure method for removing information from past users’ hard drives in order to reuse the hard drives. Disk-wiping software can help to ensure that all data on the hard drive is completely erased and cannot be recovered.

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

The technician can close unnecessary applications and turn on autorotation to resolve these issues with minimal impact. Autorotation can help the device to switch between portrait and landscape modes automatically. Closing unnecessary applications can help to free up the device’s memory and reduce the device’s temperature1

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 laptop has an additional option under power and sleep settings that desktops do not have. Switching to do nothing prevents the screen from turning off when closed.

A technician needs to interconnect two offices to the main branch while complying with good practices and security standards. The technician should implement VPN

Since Windows systems support FAT32 and NTFS "out of the box" and Linux supports a whole range of them including FAT32 and NTFS, it is highly recommended to format the partition or disk you want to share in either FAT32 or NTFS, but since FAT32 has a file size limit of 4.2 GB, if you happen to work with huge files, then it is better you use NTFS

The incident handler should clone any impacted hard drives to preserve evidence for possible litigation1

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.

https://partners.comptia.org/docs/default-source/resources/comptia-a-220-1102-exam-objectives-(3-0)

The differential backup method would best address these concerns. Differential backups only back up files that have changed since the last full backup, which means that only a few files would be backed up each time. This would help to mitigate the risk of ransomware attacks, as only a few files would be affected if an attack occurred. Additionally, differential backups require less storage space than full backups.

To best resolve this issue, the executive should set AirDrop so that transfers are only accepted from known contacts (option A). AirDrop is a feature on iOS devices that allows users to share files, photos, and other data between Apple devices. By setting AirDrop so that it only accepts transfers from known contacts, the executive can ensure that unwanted files and photos are not sent to their device. Additionally, the executive should ensure that the AirDrop setting is only enabled when it is necessary, as this will protect their device from any unwanted files and photos.

The most likely reason for the antivirus protection on a company laptop being out of date is failed OS updates1. Antivirus software relies on the operating system to function properly. If the operating system is not up-to-date, the antivirus software may not function properly and may not be able to receive the latest virus definitions and updates2. Therefore, it is important to keep the operating system up-to-date to ensure the antivirus software is functioning properly2.

The aspect of forensic evidence life cycle that must be maintained when dealing with a piece of evidence is chain of custody. This is because chain of custody is the documentation of the movement of evidence from the time it is collected to the time it is presented in court, and it is important to maintain the integrity of the evidence

The desktop specialist should use a clean install to refresh the laptop. A clean install will remove all data and applications from the laptop and install a fresh copy of Windows 10, ensuring that the laptop is ready for the newly hired employee.

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.

Chrome OS provides a lightweight option for workstations that need an easy-to-use browser-based interface1

To exclude an application folder from being cataloged by a Windows 10 search, the technician should use the Indexing Options utility1

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.

User Accounts is a Control Panel utility that allows the technician to manage user accounts and groups on a workstation1. The technician can use User Accounts to grant local administrative access to a user by adding the user to the Administrators group1. The Administrators group has full control over the workstation and can perform tasks such as installing software, changing system settings, and accessing all files.

Multifactor authentication will be forced for Wi-Fi after deploying a client certificate to be used for Wi-Fi access for all devices in an organization3

The first thing that a support technician should check to resolve the issue of not being able to receive emails or browse the internet from a smartphone while traveling is the data plan coverage. The data plan coverage determines how much data and where the user can use on the smartphone’s cellular network. The data plan coverage may vary depending on the user’s location, carrier and subscription. The data plan coverage may not include or support certain areas or countries that the user is traveling to, or may charge extra fees or limit the speed or amount of data that the user can use. The data plan coverage does not affect text messages and phone calls, which use different network services and protocols. User account status is not likely to cause the issue of not being able to receive emails or browse the internet from a smartphone while traveling, unless the user account has been suspended or terminated by the carrier or the email provider. Mobile OS version is not likely to cause the issue of not being able to receive emails or browse the internet from a smartphone while traveling, unless the mobile OS has a major bug or compatibility problem with the network or the email app. Network traffic outages may cause the issue of not being able to receive emails or browse the internet from a smartphone while traveling, but they are less likely and less common than data plan coverage issues, and they should also affect text messages and phone calls. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.5

The technician should place the hard drive in an antistatic bag and secure the area containing the hard drive before leaving. This will protect the hard drive from electrostatic discharge (ESD), dust, moisture, and physical damage. Asking coworkers to make sure no one touches the hard drive is not a reliable or secure way to prevent damage. Leaving the hard drive on the table exposes it to ESD and other environmental hazards. Connecting an electrostatic discharge strap to the drive is not enough to protect it from dust, moisture, and physical damage.

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.

The most likely cause of the issue of having different hash values for a downloaded security tool is a modified file. A hash value is a unique and fixed-length string that is generated from an algorithm that processes data or files. A hash value can be used to verify the integrity and authenticity of data or files by comparing it with a known or expected value. If the hash values do not match, it means that the data or file has been altered or corrupted in some way. A modified file may result from intentional or unintentional changes, such as editing, encryption, compression or malware infection. Private-browsing mode is a feature that allows users to browse the web without storing any browsing history, cookies or cache on their browser. Private-browsing mode does not affect the hash value of a downloaded file but only how the browser handles user data. Invalid certificate is an error that occurs when a website or a server does not have a valid or trusted digital certificate that proves its identity and secures its communication. Invalid certificate does not affect the hash value of a downloaded file but only how the browser verifies the website or server’s credibility. Browser cache is a temporary storage that stores copies of web pages, images and other content that users have visited on their browser. 

The user can change the wallpaper using a Windows 10 Settings tool by following these steps12:

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing Settings, or by clicking the gear icon in the Start menu.

Select Personalization from the left navigation menu.

On the right side of the window, click Background.

In the Background settings, click the drop-down menu and select Picture as the background type.

Click Browse and then locate and open the image the user wants to use as the wallpaper.

The other options are incorrect because they do not lead to the Background settings or they do not allow the user to browse for an image. Accounts, System, and Apps are not related to personalization settings. Your info, Display, and Apps & features are not related to wallpaper settings.

 Bringing the device within Bluetooth range is the best way to troubleshoot the issue of inconsistent audio when using wireless headphones and moving around. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows devices to communicate over short distances, typically up to 10 meters or 33 feet. If the device is too far from the headphones, the Bluetooth signal may be weak or interrupted, resulting in poor audio quality or loss of connection.

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts the files on the victim’s computer and demands a ransom for their decryption. Ransomware can cause high disk throughput by encrypting large amounts of data in a short time.

Incremental backup is a backup method that only backs up the files that have changed since the last backup, whether it was a full or an incremental backup. Incremental backup can save storage space and bandwidth, as it does not copy the same files over and over again. Incremental backup can also retain more versions of backups, as it only stores the changes made to the files. However, incremental backup can have longer restore times, as it requires restoring the last full backup and all the subsequent incremental backups in order to recover the data. The law firm is not concerned about restore times but asks the technician to retain more versions when possible, so incremental backup would be a suitable choice for them.

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.

 Badge reader and motion sensor are devices that can be deployed to enhance physical security for a building. A badge reader is a device that scans and verifies an identification card or tag that grants access to authorized personnel only. A badge reader can help prevent unauthorized entry or intrusion into a building or a restricted area. A motion sensor is a device that detects movement and triggers an alarm or an action when motion is detected. A motion sensor can help deter or alert potential intruders or trespassers in a building or an area. Multifactor authentication is a method of verifying identity using two or more factors, such as something you know, something you have or something you are. Multifactor authentication is not a device that can be deployed to enhance physical security for a building but a technique that can be used to enhance logical security for systems or services. Personal identification number is a numeric code that can be used as part of authentication or access control. Personal identification number is not a device that can be deployed to enhance physical security for a building but an example of something you know factor in multifactor authentication. Firewall is a device or software that filters network traffic based on rules and policies. Firewall is not a device that can be deployed to enhance physical security for a building but a device that can be used to enhance network security for systems or services. Soft token is an application or software that generates one-time passwords or codes for authentication purposes. Soft token is not a device that can be deployed to enhance physical security for a building but an example of something you have factor in multifactor authentication. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 3.3

Keychain is a feature of macOS that securely stores passwords, account numbers, and other confidential information for your Mac, apps, servers, and websites1. You can use the Keychain Access app on your Mac to view and manage your keychains and the items stored in them1. Keychain can also sync your passwords and other secure information across your devices using iCloud Keychain1. Keychain can be used as a password manager in macOS to help you keep track of and protect your passwords.

 An evil twin is a type of social-engineering attack that involves setting up a rogue wireless access point that mimics a legitimate one. The attacker can then intercept or modify the traffic of the users who connect to the fake SSID. The attacker may also use phishing or malware to steal credentials or personal information from the users

 The user can most likely make the change of extending the display to a second monitor in the System option in the Windows settings. The System option allows users to manage system settings and features, such as display, sound, notifications, power and storage. The user can extend the display to a second monitor by selecting Display from the System option and then choosing Extend these displays from the Multiple displays drop-down menu. This will allow the user to use both monitors as one large desktop area. Devices is an option in the Windows settings that allows users to add and manage devices connected to the computer, such as printers, scanners, mice and keyboards. Devices is not related to extending the display to a second monitor but to configuring device settings and preferences. Personalization is an option in the Windows settings that allows users to customize the appearance and behavior of their desktop, such as themes, colors, backgrounds, lock screen and screensaver. 

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.  https://woshub.com/windows-lock-screen-after-idle-via-gpo/

A. Device drivers23: Device drivers are software components that enable the operating system to communicate with hardware devices. Different devices may require different drivers, so the desktop engineer should include the appropriate drivers in the master image or configure the deployment process to install them automatically.

C. Installed application license keys2: Installed application license keys are codes that activate or authenticate software applications. Some applications may require license keys to be entered during installation or after deployment. The desktop engineer should include the license keys in the master image or configure the deployment process to apply them automatically.

The best explanation for why the system still has malware after performing a System Restore is that the malware was installed before the system restore point was created. A system restore point is a snapshot of the system settings and configuration at a certain point in time. A System Restore is a feature that allows users to restore their system to a previous state in case of problems or errors. However, a System Restore does not affect personal files or folders, and it may not remove malware that was already present on the system before the restore point was created. A system patch disabling the antivirus protection and host firewall may increase the risk of malware infection, but it does not explain why the malware persists after a System Restore. The system updates not including the latest anti-malware definitions may reduce the effectiveness of malware detection and removal, but it does not explain why the malware persists after a System Restore. The system restore process being compromised by the malware may prevent a successful System Restore, but it does not explain why the malware persists after a System Restore. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.3

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.

A. Disable the SSID broadcast1: The SSID broadcast is a feature that allows a Wi-Fi network to be visible to nearby devices. Disabling the SSID broadcast can make the network harder to find by unauthorized users, but it does not prevent them from accessing it if they know the network name and password.

Screen Sharing is the default system tool that can be used in macOS to allow the technician to view the screen simultaneously with the user. Screen Sharing is a built-in app that lets users share their Mac screen with another Mac on the network. The user can enable screen sharing in the System Preferences > Sharing pane, and then allow other users to request or enter a password to access their screen1. The technician can launch the Screen Sharing app from the Spotlight search or the Finder sidebar, and then enter the user’s name, address, or Apple ID to connect to their screen2. Remote Assistance is a Windows feature that allows users to invite someone to help them with a problem on their PC3. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a protocol that allows users to connect to a remote computer over a network4. Virtual Network Computing (VNC) is a technology that allows users to share their screen with other devices using a VNC viewer app1. These are not default system tools in macOS, although they can be used with third-party software or settings.

Operating system updates are used to secure a device from known exploits. Operating system updates are patches or fixes that are released by the vendor to address security vulnerabilities, bugs, or performance issues. Operating system updates can also provide new features or enhancements to the device. It is important to keep the operating system updated to prevent attackers from exploiting known flaws or weaknesses.

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.

Robocopy is a command-line utility that can be used to mirror the source data for the backup. It can copy files and folders with various options, such as copying only changed files, preserving attributes and permissions, and retrying failed copies. Robocopy is more powerful and flexible than copy or xcopy, which are simpler commands that can only copy files and folders without mirroring or other advanced features. Copy-Item is a PowerShell cmdlet that can also copy files and folders, but it is not a native Windows utility and it requires PowerShell to run1.

 Apologizing to the customer and escalating the issue to a manager is the best course of action for the support center representative to take. This shows empathy and professionalism and allows the manager to handle the situation and provide the appropriate service or resolution for the customer.

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.

Checking for application updates is the first troubleshooting step that the user should perform, because the application may not be compatible with the new OS version and may need an update to fix the issue. Deleting the application’s cache, rolling back the OS update, or uninstalling and reinstalling the application are possible solutions, but they are more time-consuming and disruptive than checking for updates. References: : https://www.comptia.org/training/resources/exam-objectives/comptia-a-core-2-exam-objectives : https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-update-apps-on-android-4173855

Rolling back video card drivers is the best way to resolve the issue of large desktop icons on a user’s newly issued PC. This means restoring the previous version of the drivers that were working fine before the software patch was deployed. The software patch may have caused compatibility issues or corrupted the drivers, resulting in display problems

After implementing a change authorized by the change advisory board (CAB), the technician should document the date and time of change as part of the post-implementation review. This helps to track the change history, verify the success of the change, and identify any issues or incidents caused by the change1. Documenting the purpose of the change, the risk level, and the findings of the sandbox test are all part of the pre-implementation activities that should be done before submitting the change request to the CAB2.

The best filesystem format to ensure read and write compatibility of USB flash drives across several generations of Microsoft operating systems is FAT32. FAT32 stands for File Allocation Table 32-bit and is a filesystem format that organizes and manages files and folders on storage devices using 32-bit clusters. FAT32 is compatible with most Microsoft operating systems since Windows 95 OSR2, as well as other operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS X. FAT32 can support storage devices up to 2TB in size and files up to 4GB in size. APFS stands for Apple File System and is a filesystem format that organizes and manages files and folders on storage devices using encryption, snapshots and cloning features. APFS is compatible with Mac OS X 10.13 High Sierra and later versions but not with Microsoft operating systems natively. Ext4 stands for Fourth Extended File System and is a filesystem format that organizes and manages files and folders on storage devices using journaling, extents and delayed allocation features. Ext4 is compatible with Linux operating systems but not with Microsoft operating systems natively.

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.

Regionally diverse backups are backups that are stored in different geographic locations, preferably far away from the primary site1. This way, if a disaster such as a hurricane or a power outage affects one location, the backups in another location will still be available and accessible2. Regionally diverse backups can help ensure business continuity and data recovery in case of a disaster3. The other options are not the best backup solutions for a site in an area that has frequent hurricanes and an unstable power grid. High availability is a feature that allows a system to remain operational and accessible even if one or more components fail, but it does not protect against data loss or corruption4. On-site backups are backups that are stored in the same location as the primary site, which means they are vulnerable to the same disasters that can affect the primary site. Incremental backups are backups that only store the changes made since the last backup, which means they require less storage space and bandwidth, but they also depend on previous backups to restore data and may not be sufficient for disaster recovery.

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.

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

 If this file is missing or corrupted, it can cause application crashes or errors when trying to open websites in a browser. To fix this, the technician can perform a system file check, which is a utility that scans and repairs corrupted or missing system files1. To perform a system file check, the technician can follow these steps:

Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. To do this, type cmd in the search box on the taskbar, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /scannow and hit Enter. This will start the scanning and repairing process, which may take some time.

Wait for the process to complete. If any problems are found and fixed, you will see a message saying Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. If no problems are found, you will see a message saying Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) is a security measure that often uses an SMS or third-party application as a secondary method to access a system. MFA requires the user to provide two or more pieces of evidence to prove their identity, such as something they know (e.g., password), something they have (e.g., phone), or something they are (e.g., fingerprint)2. WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 2) is a security protocol for wireless networks that does not use SMS or third-party applications. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm that does not use SMS or third-party applications. RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a network protocol that provides centralized authentication and authorization for remote access clients, but does not use SMS or third-party applications.

The script type that is used with the Python language by default is .py. .py is a file extension that indicates a Python script file that contains Python code that can be executed by a Python interpreter or compiler. Python is a high-level, general-purpose and interpreted programming language that can be used for various applications, such as web development, data analysis, machine learning and automation. .ps1 is a file extension that indicates a PowerShell script file that contains PowerShell code that can be executed by a PowerShell interpreter or compiler. PowerShell is a task-based, command-line and scripting language that can be used for system administration and automation on Windows systems. .vbs is a file extension that indicates a VBScript file that contains VBScript code that can be executed by a VBScript interpreter or compiler. VBScript is an Active Scripting language that can be used for web development and automation on Windows systems. .bat is a file extension that indicates a batch file that contains a series of commands that can be executed by a command-line interpreter or shell on Windows systems. Batch files can be used for system administration and automation on Windows systems. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 4.3

BitLocker is a Windows security feature that provides encryption for entire volumes, addressing the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately decommissioned devices1. BitLocker is available on supported devices running Windows 10 or 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education2. Windows 10 Home does not support BitLocker3, and Windows 10 Embedded is designed for specialized devices and does not offer BitLocker as a feature4. Therefore, the most appropriate Windows 10 edition for a single user who wants to encrypt a hard drive with BitLocker is Professional.

References1: BitLocker overview - Windows Security | Microsoft Learn2: Device encryption in Windows - Microsoft Support3: Can You Turn on BitLocker on Windows 10 Home?4: How to enable device encryption on Windows 10 Home

The first mitigation step that a technician should take when a machine is suspected to contain ransomware is to quarantine the system. This means isolating the infected machine from the network and other devices, to prevent the ransomware from spreading and encrypting more data. The technician can quarantine the system by disconnecting the network cable, turning off the wireless adapter, or using firewall rules to block the traffic from and to the machine12.

This step is more important than the other options because:

Disabling System Restore (A) is not a priority, as it will not stop the ransomware from running or spreading. System Restore is a feature that allows users to restore their system to a previous state, but it may not work if the ransomware has encrypted or deleted the restore points. Moreover, disabling System Restore may prevent the user from recovering some data or settings in the future13.

Remediating the system (B) is the ultimate goal, but it cannot be done before quarantining the system. Remediating the system means removing the ransomware, restoring the data, and fixing the vulnerabilities that allowed the attack. However, this process requires careful analysis, planning, and execution, and it may not be possible if the ransomware is still active and communicating with the attackers. Therefore, the technician should first isolate the system and then proceed with the remediation steps12.

Educating the system user © is a preventive measure, but it is not a mitigation step. Educating the system user means raising awareness and providing training on how to avoid ransomware attacks, such as by recognizing phishing emails, avoiding suspicious links or attachments, and updating and patching the system regularly. However, this step will not help if the system is already infected, and it may not be effective if the user is not willing or able to follow the best practices. Therefore, the technician should focus on resolving the current incident and then educate the user as part of the recovery plan14.

The msconfig.exe tool, also known as the System Configuration utility, is a tool that allows users to modify various system settings, such as startup options, services, boot options, and more. One of the features of msconfig.exe is the ability to disable or enable device drivers that are loaded during the system startup. By using msconfig.exe, a technician can prevent a driver from being loaded and used by the system, which will allow them to uninstall it without any errors. To use msconfig.exe to disable a driver, the technician can follow these steps:

Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Windows key + R.

Type msconfig.exe and press Enter.

Click on the Boot tab and then click on Advanced options.

Check the box next to No GUI boot and click OK. This will prevent the graphical user interface from loading during the boot process, which will also prevent some drivers from loading.

Click on the Services tab and check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services. This will show only the third-party services and drivers that are running on the system.

Find the service or driver that corresponds to the device that the technician wants to uninstall and uncheck the box next to it. This will disable the service or driver from starting during the system startup.

Click Apply and OK and then restart the computer.

After the computer restarts, the technician can use the Device Manager or the Control Panel to uninstall the driver that was previously in use.

One of the common reasons for a slow smartphone performance is having too many apps installed and running in the background. These apps consume the device’s memory (RAM) and CPU resources, which can affect the speed and responsiveness of the phone. Rebooting the phone can temporarily clear the RAM and stop some background processes, but they may resume after a while. Connecting to a different network does not affect the performance of the phone, unless the network is congested or has a poor signal. The user can improve the phone’s performance by uninstalling unused apps, clearing app caches, and restricting background activities12. Malware can also slow down a phone, but it is not the most likely cause in this scenario, as the user does not report any other symptoms of infection, such as pop-ups, battery drain, or data usage spikes3. Jailbreaking a phone can also affect its performance, but it is not a cause, rather a consequence, of the user’s actions. Jailbreaking is the process of removing the manufacturer’s restrictions on a phone, which allows the user to install unauthorized apps, customize the system, and access root privileges4. However, jailbreaking also exposes the phone to security risks, voids the warranty, and may cause instability or compatibility issues5.

References1: Speed up a slow Android device - Android Help - Google Help2: Why your phone slows down over time and what you can do to stop it | TechRadar3: How to tell if your phone has a virus | Norton4: What is Jailbreaking? - Definition from Techopedia5: What is Jailbreaking an iPhone? – Lifewire

Rebooting the smartphone is the first and simplest step to resolve the issue of frequent crashes and unresponsiveness. Rebooting clears the memory, closes the background apps, and refreshes the system. It can also fix minor glitches and bugs that may cause the calendar app or the smartphone to malfunction12. The other options are either too drastic or unnecessary. Reinstalling the application may not solve the problem if the issue is with the smartphone itself. Updating the smartphone’s OS may not be possible or helpful if the device is unresponsive or incompatible. Resetting the smartphone to factory settings will erase all the data and settings on the device, which should be the last resort.

PowerShell is a scripting language that can interact with Active Directory and other Windows components. It has a built-in cmdlet called New-ADUser that can create user accounts in Active Directory. PowerShell can also use the Active Directory module to access other AD-related functions and attributes. Other languages, such as Bash, SQL, and PHP, are not designed for creating Active Directory accounts and would require additional tools or libraries to do so.

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.

The best option for the technician to demonstrate proper communication techniques and professionalism is to contact the customer if the technician is arriving late. This shows respect for the customer’s time and expectations, and allows the customer to adjust their schedule accordingly. It also helps to maintain a positive relationship and trust between the technician and the customer. The technician should apologize for the delay and provide a realistic estimate of their arrival time. The technician should also thank the customer for their patience and understanding.

The other options are not appropriate or professional. Do not notify the customer if arriving before the customer is not a good practice, as it may cause confusion or frustration for the customer. The customer may have made other plans or arrangements based on the technician’s original schedule, and may not be available or prepared for the service. Dismiss the customer and proceed with the after-hours work is rude and disrespectful, as it ignores the customer’s needs and preferences. The customer may have questions or concerns about the service, or may want to supervise or verify the work. The technician should always communicate with the customer before, during, and after the service. Disclose the experience via social media is unethical and unprofessional, as it may violate the customer’s privacy and the company’s policies. The technician should not share any confidential or sensitive information about the customer or the service on social media, or make any negative or inappropriate comments about the customer or the situation.

The Connections tab in Internet Options allows the technician to configure the proxy server settings for the workstations. The technician can enter the proxy server address and port number, and specify which websites to bypass the proxy server for. The other tabs are not relevant for configuring the proxy server settings. References: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 9, section 1.7; CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Certification Study Guide, page 140, section 1.7.

NTFS stands for New Technology File System, which is a proprietary file system developed by Microsoft4. NTFS is the default file system for the Windows NT family of operating systems, which includes Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, and other versions5. NTFS provides features such as security, encryption, compression, journaling, and large volume support45. NTFS is not the native file system for other operating systems, such as macOS, Linux, or Android, although some of them can read or write to NTFS volumes with third-party drivers or tools

A content filter is a device or software that blocks or allows access to web pages based on predefined criteria, such as keywords, categories, or ratings. A content filter can also create a log of the blocked or allowed web requests, which can help the management team monitor and audit the web usage of their employees. A content filter is different from the other options because:

A screened subnet is a network segment that is protected by two firewalls, one facing the internet and one facing the internal network. A screened subnet can isolate servers or hosts that need to be accessed from both sides, such as a web server or a bastion host. A screened subnet does not filter web content based on predefined criteria, but rather on network addresses, ports, and protocols.

Port forwarding is a technique that allows a router to forward packets from one port to another port, usually on a different device. Port forwarding can enable remote access to services or applications that are hosted on a private network, such as a web server or a game server. Port forwarding does not filter web content based on predefined criteria, but rather on destination ports and addresses.

An access control list (ACL) is a set of rules that defines which packets are allowed or denied on a network device, such as a router or a firewall. An ACL can filter packets based on source and destination addresses, ports, protocols, and other criteria. An ACL can also create a log of the matched or unmatched packets, which can help the management team troubleshoot and secure their network. An ACL does not filter web content based on predefined criteria, but rather on packet headers and fields.

Remotely wiping the device is the best option to prevent unauthorized access to the company data stored on the phone. A low-level format, degaussing, or providing the GPS location of the device are not feasible or effective actions to take in this scenario.

Classification: a) Phishing

This email is a phishing attempt, as it tries to trick the user into clicking on a malicious link that could compromise their account or personal information. Some suspicious items in this email are:

The email has a generic greeting and does not address the user by name.

The email has spelling errors, such as “unusal” and “Locaked”.

The email uses a sense of urgency and fear to pressure the user into clicking on the link.

The email does not match the official format or domain of the IT Help Desk at CompTIA.

The email has two black bat icons, which are not related to CompTIA or IT support.

The appropriate resolution for this email is A. Report email to Information Security. The user should not click on the link, reply to the email, or provide any personal or account information. The user should forward the email to the Information Security team or use a professional email form to report the phishing attempt. The user should also delete the email from their inbox and trash folder.

The suspicious items to select are:

b) From address

d) Hyperlinks

These items indicate that the email is not from a legitimate source and that the link is potentially malicious. The other items are not suspicious in this case, as the to address is the user’s own email and there are no attachments.

Classification: b) Spam

This email is a spam email, as it is an unsolicited and unwanted message that tries to persuade the user to participate in a survey and claim a reward. Some suspicious items in this email are:

The email offers a free wireless headphone as an incentive, which is too good to be true.

The email does not provide any details about the survey company, such as its name, address, or contact information.

The email contains an external survey link, which may lead to a malicious or fraudulent website.

The email does not have an unsubscribe option, which is required by law for commercial emails.

The appropriate resolution for this email is C. Unsubscribe. The user should look for an unsubscribe link or button at the bottom of the email and follow the instructions to opt out of receiving future emails from the sender. The user should also mark the email as spam or junk in their email client, which will help filter out similar emails in the future. The user should not click on the survey link, reply to the email, or provide any personal or financial information.

Classification: c) Legitimate

This email is a legitimate email, as it is from a trusted source and has a valid purpose. There are no suspicious items in this email, as the from address, the to address, the attachment, and the email body are all consistent and relevant. The appropriate resolution for this email is B. Perform no additional actions. The user can open the attachment and review the orientation material as instructed. The user does not need to report, unsubscribe, or delete this email.

Classification: a) Phishing

This email is a phishing attempt, as it tries to deceive the user into downloading and running a malicious attachment that could compromise their system or data. Some suspicious items in this email are:

The email has a generic greeting and does not address the user by name or username.

The email has an urgent tone and claims that a security patch needs to be installed immediately.

The email has an attachment named “patch1.exe”, which is an executable file that could contain malware or ransomware.

The email does not match the official format or domain of CompTIA Information Security.

The appropriate resolution for this email is A. Report email to Information Security. The user should not open the attachment, reply to the email, or provide any personal or account information. The user should forward the email to the Information Security team or use a professional email form to report the phishing attempt. The user should also delete the email from their inbox and trash folder.

Classification: c) Legitimate

This email is a legitimate email, as it is from a trusted source and has a valid purpose. There are no suspicious items in this email, as the from address, the to address, and the email body are all consistent and relevant. The appropriate resolution for this email is B. Perform no additional actions. The user can reply to the email and thank the sender for the interview opportunity. The user does not need to report, unsubscribe, or delete this email.

Group Policy is a feature of Windows that allows administrators to manage and configure settings for computers and users on a network12. One of the settings that can be controlled by Group Policy is the password policy, which defines the rules for creating and changing passwords, such as minimum length, complexity, expiration, and history34. By using Group Policy, the Chief Information Officer can enforce the new password length requirement for all users and computers in the company’s domain, without having to manually adjust each user account or device.

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: The Official CompTIA A+ Core 2 Instructor Guide (Exam 220-1102), page 10-12 4: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam: Core 2 (220-1102) Exam Objectives

Reinstalling the application is the best option to fix the intermittent crashing of the application on the corporate smartphone. Reinstalling the application will ensure that the latest version of the app is installed, which may have bug fixes and compatibility updates that can resolve the crashing issue. Reinstalling the app will also clear any corrupted or outdated data or cache that may cause the app to malfunction.

The other options are not as effective or appropriate as reinstalling the app. Restarting the phone may temporarily fix the issue, but it will not address the root cause of the app crashing, which may be related to the app itself or its data. Reimaging the OS is a drastic and unnecessary measure that will erase all the data and settings on the phone and restore it to its factory state. This will also remove all the other apps and files that may be important for the corporate use of the phone. Clearing the cache may help to free up some space and improve the performance of the app, but it will not update the app or fix any bugs that may cause the app to crash.

RDP stands for Remote Desktop Protocol, which is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that allows a user to remotely access and control another computer over a network. RDP provides a secure session that encrypts the data between the client and the host, and allows the user to see and interact with the desktop and applications of the remote computer as if they were sitting in front of it. RDP also supports features such as audio, video, clipboard, printer, and file sharing, as well as multiple monitor support and session recording. To use RDP, the host computer must have Remote Desktop enabled and configured, and the client computer must have a Remote Desktop client software installed. The client can connect to the host by entering its IP address, hostname, or domain name, and providing the login credentials of a user account on the host. RDP is commonly used for remote administration, technical support, and remote work scenarios

When dealing with a suspected virus infection on an air-gapped computer, after an initial scan with Windows Defender shows no infection, the next steps should include examining the event logs to look for suspicious activity and updating the virus definitions for a more thorough scan. Event logs can provide insights into system changes and potential malicious activities, while updated definitions ensure the antivirus software can detect the latest threats. Connecting to the network or enabling the firewall might not be appropriate due to the risk of spreading the infection, and re-imaging the computer or documenting the findings would be subsequent steps if the initial actions don't resolve the issue.References: Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Student Guide​​​​.

The scope of the change is one of the elements that should be documented to ensure that the change management plan is followed. The scope of the change defines the boundaries and limitations of the change, such as what is included and excluded, what are the deliverables and outcomes, what are the assumptions and constraints, and what are the dependencies and risks. The scope of the change helps to clarify the expectations and objectives of the change, as well as to prevent scope creep or deviation from the original plan. The scope of the change also helps to measure the progress and success of the change, as well as to communicate the change to the stakeholders and the team

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

The symptoms that the user’s Windows computer is experiencing suggest that the new software program that the user installed from an external website may be malicious or incompatible with the system. The program may be consuming a lot of CPU resources, slowing down the performance of other programs and files. The program may also be altering the browser settings or the HOSTS file, causing the web redirection to an unauthorized site. The first step that the technician should do is to uninstall the new program from the Control Panel or the Settings app, and then restart the computer. This may resolve the issue and restore the normal functionality of the computer. If the problem persists, the technician may need to perform additional steps, such as scanning for malware, checking the HOSTS file, clearing the web browser cache, or restoring from a previous backup

Temperature and humidity levels are the most important environmental factors to consider when planning the configuration of a data center, as they directly affect the performance, reliability, and energy efficiency of the IT equipment. Excessive heat or moisture can cause overheating, corrosion, condensation, or static electricity, which can damage the hardware and lead to data loss or service disruption. Therefore, data centers need to monitor and control the temperature and humidity levels within the recommended ranges by using various cooling systems, airflow management, and sensors12.

The -a option is used to display hidden files and directories in a command-line interface. Hidden files and directories are those that start with a dot (.) and are normally not shown by default. The -a option stands for “all” and shows all files and directories, including the hidden ones. The -a option can be used with commands such as ls, dir, or find to list or search for hidden files and directories. The -s, -lh, and -t options are not used to display hidden files and directories. The -s option stands for “size” and shows the size of files or directories in bytes. The -lh option stands for “long human-readable” and shows the size of files or directories in a more readable format, such as KB, MB, or GB. The -t option stands for “time” and sorts the files or directories by modification time. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 17

CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam …, page 107

Access control vestibule is the correct answer for this question. An access control vestibule is a physical security device that consists of two doors that form an enclosed space between them. The first door opens only after verifying the identity of the person entering, such as by using a card reader, biometric scanner, or keypad. The second door opens only after the first door closes, creating a buffer zone that prevents unauthorized access or tailgating. An access control vestibule also maintains a record of events, such as who entered or exited, when, and how. Hard token, key fob, and door lock are not sufficient to meet the requirements of this question. A hard token is a device that generates a one-time password or code for authentication purposes. A key fob is a small device that can be attached to a key ring and used to unlock doors or start vehicles remotely. A door lock is a mechanism that secures a door from opening without a key or a code. References:

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

The most effective clarifying question for the help desk technician to ask the user in order to understand the issue is A. What is the error message? This question will help the technician to identify the possible cause and solution of the problem, as the error message will provide specific information about the nature and location of the error, such as the server name, the port number, the protocol, the authentication method, or the network status. The error message will also help the technician to troubleshoot the issue by following the suggested steps or searching for the error code online.

This question is more effective than the other choices because:

B. Does the program work on another computer? is not a very helpful question, as it will not reveal the source of the error or how to fix it. The program may work on another computer for various reasons, such as different network settings, firewall rules, permissions, or software versions. However, this question will not tell the technician what is wrong with the user’s computer or the remote server, or what needs to be changed or updated to make the program work.

C. Did the program ever work? is not a very relevant question, as it will not address the current issue or how to resolve it. The program may have worked in the past, but it may have stopped working due to changes in the network configuration, the server status, the software updates, or the user credentials. However, this question will not tell the technician what has changed or how to restore the program functionality.

D. Is anyone else having this issue? is not a very useful question, as it will not explain the reason or the solution for the error. The issue may affect only the user, or multiple users, depending on the scope and the impact of the error. However, this question will not tell the technician what is causing the error or how to fix it for the user or the others.

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.

Malware is malicious software that can cause damage or harm to a computer system or network4. A technician has verified a computer is infected with malware by observing unusual behavior, such as slow performance, pop-ups, or unwanted ads. The technician isolates the system and updates the anti-malware software to prevent further infection or spread of the malware. The next step is to run repeated remediation scans until the malware is removed. A remediation scan is a scan that detects and removes malware from the system. Running one scan may not be enough to remove all traces of malware, as some malware may hide or regenerate itself.

A warning message in the user’s browser stating the site’s certificate cannot be verified indicates that the site may be insecure, fraudulent, or malicious. This could be a sign of a phishing attempt, where the sender of the email tries to trick the user into clicking a link that leads to a fake website that mimics a legitimate one, in order to steal the user’s personal or financial information. The most appropriate action for a technician to take in this situation is to close the browser window and report the email to IT security, who can investigate the source and content of the email, and take the necessary steps to protect the user and the network from potential harm. Clicking proceed could expose the user to malware, identity theft, or data breach. Reporting the employee to the human resources department for violating company policy is unnecessary and harsh, as the user may not have been aware of the phishing attempt or the company policy. Restoring the computer from the last known backup is premature and ineffective, as the user may not have been infected by anything, and the backup may not remove the email or the link from the user’s inbox

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.

The scenario described in the question suggests that the workstation has been infected by a ransomware, which is a type of malware that encrypts the files on the target system and demands a ransom for the decryption key12. The file extension .enc is commonly used by some ransomware variants to mark the encrypted files34. The developer is unable to open the database files manually because they are encrypted and require the decryption key, which is usually held by the attacker.

The best option for recovering the data is to utilize the backups, assuming that the backups are recent, valid, and not affected by the ransomware. Backups are copies of the data that are stored in a separate location or device, and can be used to restore the data in case of a disaster, such as a ransomware attack . By restoring the data from the backups, the developer can avoid paying the ransom and losing the data permanently.

Accessing a restore point is not a good option, because restore points are snapshots of the system settings and configuration, not the data files. Restore points can help to undo some system changes, such as installing a faulty driver or software, but they cannot recover the encrypted data files .

Rebooting into safe mode is also not a good option, because safe mode is a diagnostic mode that allows the system to run with minimal drivers and services, but it does not affect the data files. Safe mode can help to troubleshoot some system issues, such as malware infections, but it cannot decrypt the data files .

Using an AV to scan the affected files is also not a good option, because an AV is a software that can detect and remove some malware, but it cannot decrypt the data files. An AV can help to prevent or remove some ransomware infections, but it cannot recover the encrypted data files .

References1: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 10 2: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Complete Video Course, Lesson 26 Documentation 3: How to remove .enc file virus (Ransomware virus removal guide) 4: Enc File Extension - What is an .enc file and how do I open it? : CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 13 : CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Complete Video Course, Lesson 26 Documentation : What is a restore point? : How to use System Restore on Windows 10 : [What is Safe Mode?] : [How to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10] : CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 10 : [Can antivirus software remove ransomware?]

A static entry is the best option to restore communication for the new machine in a small branch office that does not have a DHCP server. A static entry means manually configuring the IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server for the network adapter of the machine. A static entry ensures that the machine has a valid and unique IP address that matches the network configuration and can communicate with the rest of the network.

The new machine automatically receives the IP address of 169.254.0.2 because it uses APIPA (Automatic Private IP Addressing), which is a feature that enables computers to self-assign an IP address when a DHCP server is not available. However, APIPA only works for local communication within the same subnet, and does not provide a default gateway or a DNS server. Therefore, the new machine is unable to communicate with the rest of the network, which may be on a different subnet or require a gateway or a DNS server to access.

The other options are not related to restoring communication for the new machine. ARP table is a cache that stores the mapping between IP addresses and MAC addresses for the devices on the network. NTP specification is a protocol that synchronizes the clocks of the devices on the network.

The chmod command is used to change the permissions of files and directories in Linux. It can grant or revoke read, write, and execute permissions for the owner, the group, and others. To change the file permissions to only allow access to a certain group of users, the chmod command can use either the symbolic or the numeric mode. For example, to give read and write permissions to the group and no permissions to others, the command can be:

chmod g+rw,o-rwx filename

or

chmod 660 filename

Scripting languages are used to write small to medium-sized programs that perform specific tasks. Some common uses of scripting languages are: automating repetitive processes, web development, system administration, data processing, multimedia and games, report generation, document and text processing, writing plugins and extensions for existing programs and applications1.

Least privilege is the principle that is used to ensure users have the appropriate level of access to perform their job functions. Least privilege means granting users only the minimum amount of access rights and permissions they need to perform their tasks, and nothing more. Least privilege reduces the risk of unauthorized access, data leakage, malware infection, or accidental damage by limiting what users can do on the system or network. Access control list, multifactor authentication, and mobile device management are not principles, but rather mechanisms or methods that can implement least privilege. Access control list is a list that specifies the users or groups that are allowed or denied access to a resource, such as a file, folder, or printer. Multifactor authentication is a method that requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence to prove their identity, such as a password, a token, or a biometric factor. Mobile device management is a tool that allows managing and securing mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, that are used by employees to access corporate data or applications. References:

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

[CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 Certification Study Guide], page 1003

Linux is the most commonly used operating system in embedded systems because it is open source, free, customizable, and supports a wide range of architectures and devices. Linux also offers many advantages for embedded development, such as real-time capabilities, modularity, security, scalability, and reliability. Linux can run on embedded systems with limited resources, such as memory, storage, or power, and can be tailored to the specific needs of the application. Linux also has a large and active community of developers and users who contribute to its improvement and innovation. Some examples of embedded systems that use Linux are smart TVs, routers, drones, robots, smart watches, and IoT devices

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that allows remote employees to access the company’s network resources securely over the internet as if they were on premises. A VPN encrypts the data traffic between the employee’s device and the VPN server, and assigns the employee a virtual IP address that belongs to the company’s network. This way, the employee can access the local servers, files, printers, and other resources without exposing them to the public internet. A VPN also protects the employee’s privacy and identity by masking their real IP address and location.

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.

https://www.comptia.org/training/books/a-core-2-220-1102-study-guide

Windows Hello is a biometric-based technology that enables Windows 10 users to authenticate secure access to their devices, apps, online services, and networks with just a look or a touch. If users have difficulty using the facial recognition feature, Windows Hello also supports a Personal Identification Number (PIN) as a secondary feature for logging in. The PIN is tied to the specific device on which it is set up, adding a layer of security even if the PIN is obtained by someone else.

Personal identification number: The PIN serves as an alternative to the facial recognition feature, allowing users to quickly and securely access their devices without relying solely on biometric authentication.

Username/password (B) is the traditional method of authentication but is not specifically a secondary feature of Windows Hello. One-time-use token (C) and cryptographic device (D) could be part of an MFA setup but are not directly related to Windows Hello's alternate authentication options.

When an Android device starts exhibiting issues like frequent crashes and rapid battery drain after downloading an application, the first step should be to address the immediate cause:

Uninstall the game application: Since the issues started after the game application was installed, removing it is a logical first step. Unwanted or malicious applications can cause such symptoms by running harmful processes in the background or exploiting system resources.

Install the latest security patches: Keeping the device updated with the latest security patches is crucial for protecting against vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious software. Updating can resolve existing security flaws and improve device stability.

Before starting a bare-metal installation of Windows 10, ensuring that there is sufficient storage space on the system's hard drive or SSD is crucial. This is because the installation files need enough room to be copied and for the operating system to be installed and function properly. Without adequate storage, the installation process can fail or the operating system might not perform optimally. Other prerequisites like internet connection, product key, and specific firmware types might be necessary at different stages of installation or activation, but the fundamental requirement is enough storage space to accommodate the new OS.

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.

The Network and Sharing Center in the Control Panel is the central place to manage network connections and settings in Windows. When facing issues with accessing a mapped drive, this utility allows users to review and adjust network settings, making it possible to resolve connectivity problems. It provides options to view network status, set up new connections, change adapter settings, and troubleshoot network problems, which can help in enabling connectivity to the mapped drive on the Windows XP machine.

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​​.

For updating software on several hundred Mac laptops, the best method is Mobile Device Management (MDM). MDM solutions allow administrators to remotely manage and update software across multiple devices efficiently, making it an ideal choice for handling software updates on a large scale.

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.

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.

The app file type is designed to run under macOS as an application file bundle. macOS uses application bundles to store executable files and related resources, such as libraries, image files, and localized content, in a single directory hierarchy. This approach simplifies application management and execution within the macOS environment​​.

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.

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.

For scripting the creation of Active Directory accounts, PowerShell (D) is used. PowerShell is a task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft, consisting of a command-line shell and the associated scripting language. It is built on the .NET framework and is particularly suited for automating and managing Windows-based systems, including Active Directory tasks​​.

For issues related to constant, unwanted pop-ups and browser window problems, a careful approach that minimizes impact to the user's data and productivity is advisable:

Perform a full-system, antivirus scan: This step involves using antivirus software to scan the entire system for malware or adware that might be causing the pop-ups and browser issues.

Check browser notifications: Some unwanted pop-ups may result from browser notification permissions inadvertently granted to malicious or spammy websites. Reviewing and adjusting these settings can help stop the pop-ups.

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​​.

Turning off inheritance on the specific folder requested by the manager and setting the requested permissions, followed by turning on inheritance under the child folders, ensures that only the immediate team has access to the confidential material while maintaining the broader permissions structure for other folders and files. This action isolates the folder's permissions from the top-level inheritance, providing a focused security measure for sensitive content.

When encountering a warning about antivirus protection malfunctioning, the first step should be to isolate the computer from the network to prevent potential spread of malware. Updating the endpoint protection software is also crucial to ensure the latest virus definitions and security features are in place to effectively identify and remove the threat.

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

The scenario described is characteristic of a malware tactic known as scareware, where users are tricked into installing malware through false alerts claiming that their system is infected. The anti-malware software installed in response to a pop-up is likely malicious, causing the system to run slowly and display frequent pop-ups.