Practice for the CompTIA A+ Core 2 exam with 17 exam-style practice questions, instant answer reveals, and concise explanations of every correct answer. Topics include: Fail To Pass Systems has just been the victim of another embarrassing data breach. Their database administrator needed t. Follow @CertPunch and visit certpunch.com for more certification practice exams and study content.
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What you will practice
- Fail To Pass Systems has just been the victim of another embarrassing data breach. Their database administrat…
- Bruce is a user who has put in a ticket stating that their Windows 10 computer is running unusually slow afte…
- A technician at Dion Training wants to identify which version and build of Windows 10 is installed on a lapto…
- Which of the following commands is used on a Linux system to change the ownership of a file or directory on a…
- Which of the following Control Panel sections would a technician use to configure a Windows 10 computer to us…
- A computer was recently infected with a piece of malware. Without any user intervention, the malware is now s…
Answers and explanations
Tap a question to expand the answer and the exam reasoning. Try to commit to your own pick first.
Q1. Fail To Pass Systems has just been the victim of another embarrassing data breach. Their database administrator needed to work from home this weekend, so he downloaded the corporate database to his work laptop. On his way home, he left the…
Answer: B. Require data at rest encryption on all endpoints
Full disk encryption protects data at rest if a device is lost or stolen. A virtual private network only secures data in transit over the network, so it would not protect the local database files copied to the stolen laptop.
Q2. Bruce is a user who has put in a ticket stating that their Windows 10 computer is running unusually slow after logging in. Task Manager shows high disk usage (>99%), primarily from a process named "Antimalware Service Executable." From the…
Answer: C. Update Windows Defender definitions and restart the system
Updating Windows Defender definitions resolves the high disk usage caused by an outdated Antimalware Service Executable process. Disabling real-time protection compromises system security and should never be your first troubleshooting step.
Q3. A technician at Dion Training wants to identify which version and build of Windows 10 is installed on a laptop. Which of the following commands should the technician enter at the command line?
Answer: B. winver
The winver command displays the installed Windows version and build number. The gpresult command shows group policy settings, while net user manages local accounts, and pathping tests network latency.
Q4. Which of the following commands is used on a Linux system to change the ownership of a file or directory on a system?
Answer: C. chown
The chown command changes user and group ownership of a file or directory in Linux. The chmod command modifies file permissions, while passwd manages user passwords and pwd displays the current directory.
Q5. Which of the following Control Panel sections would a technician use to configure a Windows 10 computer to use Narrator mode to read aloud the list of files that appear on the screen to the user?
Answer: B. Ease of Access
The Ease of Access Center contains Windows accessibility features like Narrator, Magnifier, and high contrast settings. The Sound applet configures audio devices, but it does not manage screen reading tools.
Q6. A computer was recently infected with a piece of malware. Without any user intervention, the malware is now spreading throughout the corporate network and infecting other computers that it finds. Which type of malware MOST likely infected…
Answer: C. Worm
A worm replicates and spreads across networks automatically without user intervention. A virus requires a host file and human action to propagate, while trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software to trick users.
Q7. A system administrator is assigned an approved change request with a change window of 120 minutes. After 90 minutes, the change is stuck on step five of a five-step change. The server manager decides to initiate a rollback. Which describes…
Answer: B. Return the system to the original state before the change
A rollback plan returns the system to its original state before the failed change began. Reverting only to a previous step might leave the system unstable, so you must fully back out of the change during the maintenance window.
Q8. As an IT technician, you need to provide remote access to a virtualized desktop running on a Linux-based hypervisor. The solution must allow users to interact with the virtual desktop as if they were physically present, including support f…
Answer: C. SPICE
The SPICE protocol supports high-quality audio and video for Linux-based virtualized desktops. VNC lacks built-in multimedia redirection, while RDP is primarily designed for Windows environments and SSH is strictly command-line.
Q9. You are troubleshooting a computer that plays a loud chime noise every day at 3 pm. Which of the following tools should you use to troubleshoot this workstation?
Answer: D. Task scheduler
Task Scheduler is the correct tool because it runs automated scripts or programs at specific times. Device Manager manages hardware, while MSConfig handles startup services and Performance Monitor tracks resource utilization.
Q10. After updating apps, a user's tablet has become sluggish, displays fake security warnings prompting clicks, and redirects to unfamiliar websites. What is the best solution to these issues?
Answer: A. Locate and remove the affected apps, run a security scan, and verify app permissions
Removing the suspicious apps, scanning for malware, and verifying permissions directly eliminates the adware causing the symptoms. Clearing the browser cache or performing a soft reset might temporarily mask the sluggishness, but it will not remove the malicious applications.
Q11. You want to ensure that only one person can enter or leave the server room at a time. Which of the following physical security devices would BEST help you meet this requirement?
Answer: A. Access control vestibule
An access control vestibule uses two interlocking doors to prevent piggybacking and tailgating. Cipher locks and biometric readers authenticate users but cannot stop an authorized person from letting someone walk in behind them.
Q12. Your company is concerned about the possibility of power fluctuations that may occur and cause an immediate loss of power for several minutes to their server room. To prevent this condition, they are installing a large rack-mounted UPS to…
Answer: A. Power failure
A power failure is a total loss of utility power that a UPS battery backup is designed to mitigate. Surges and spikes are over-voltage events handled by surge protectors, while under-voltage events are brownouts.
Q13. What type of structure is a "Do While" in scripting?
Answer: C. Loop
A loop repeats a block of code until a specific condition is met, which is exactly what a Do While statement does. A branch uses statements like IF THEN ELSE to change program flow, but it does not repeat actions.
Q14. A network administrator has set up a firewall and set up only three allow rules so that traffic can be sent over ports 21, 110, and 25. Next, they added a final rule of "deny any any" to the end of the ACL to minimize the attack surface an…
Answer: D. Add a rule to the ACL to allow traffic on ports 80 and 53
Browsing websites requires DNS on port 53 for name resolution and HTTP on port 80 for unencrypted web traffic. Without adding these rules before the deny any any statement, users cannot resolve or access web pages.
Q15. An attacker has been collecting credit card details by calling victims and using false pretexts to trick them. Which of the following types of attack is being conducted?
Answer: D. Vishing
Vishing is voice-based phishing where attackers call victims to extract sensitive information over the phone. Phishing typically uses email, whereas whaling and spear phishing target specific high-value executives or groups.
Q16. Malware infected Natalie's iMac. The malware has deleted numerous files from the system and corrupted the operating system. Natalie needs to access some of her files from the computer that have been deleted by the malware. Which of the fol…
Answer: B. Time Machine
Time Machine is the built-in macOS backup utility designed to restore personal files, applications, and system states after deletion or corruption. Keychain manages passwords, while System Restore is strictly a Windows operating system feature.
Q17. A facility would like to verify each individual's identity before allowing access to its server room and data center. Additionally, the building should ensure that users do not tailgate behind other users. What solution would BEST meet the…
Answer: B. Implement a biometric reader at the datacenter entrance and require passage through an access control vestibule
An access control vestibule physically prevents tailgating by ensuring only one person can enter the secure facility at a time. Pairing it with a biometric reader guarantees that each individual is positively identified before the first door unlocks.
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