220-1102 CompTIA A+ Certification Core 2 Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

The technician should use net use command-line tool to remove and reconnect mapped drives. Net use is a command that allows users to manage network connections and resources, such as shared folders or printers. Net use can be used to map or unmap network drives by specifying their drive letters and network paths. For example, net use Z: \server\share maps drive Z: to \server\share folder, and net use Z: /delete unmaps drive Z:. Set is a command that displays or modifies environment variables for the current user or process. Set is not related to managing mapped drives. Mkdir is a command that creates a new directory or folder in the current or specified location. Mkdir is not related to managing mapped drives. Rename is a command that renames a file or folder in the current or specified location. Rename is not related to managing mapped drives. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.6

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.

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.

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.

Shredding is the best method to use for the physical destruction of SSDs because it reduces them to small pieces that cannot be recovered or accessed. Wiping, low-level formatting, and erasing are not effective methods for destroying SSDs because they do not physically damage the flash memory chips that store data1.

An access control list (ACL) is a list of permissions associated with a system resource (object), such as a website. An ACL specifies which users or system processes are granted access to objects, as well as what operations are allowed on given objects1. A systems administrator can create an ACL to define the list of websites that users are allowed to access.

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

The best sign-on option that would allow any employee the ability to unlock the kiosk that relies exclusively on a numeric keypad is to use a PIN and provide it to employees. A PIN is a Personal Identification Number that is a numeric code that can be used as part of authentication or access control. A PIN can be entered using only a numeric keypad and can be easily shared with employees who need to unlock the kiosk. Requiring employees to enter their usernames and passwords may not be feasible or convenient if the kiosk only has a numeric keypad and no other input devices. Setting up facial recognition for each employee may not be possible or secure if the kiosk does not have a camera or biometric sensor. Requiring employees to use their fingerprints may not be possible or secure if the kiosk does not have a fingerprint scanner or biometric sensor. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 3.3

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.

Open-ended questions are questions that require more than a yes or no answer and encourage the customer to provide more details and information. Using open-ended questions can help the support technician to understand the problem better, identify the root cause, and find a suitable solution. Some examples of open-ended questions are:

What exactly is not working on your machine?

When did you notice the problem?

How often does the problem occur?

What were you doing when the problem happened?

What have you tried to fix the problem?

Offering to wipe and reset the device for the customer is not a good option, as it may result in data loss and inconvenience for the customer. It should be used as a last resort only if other troubleshooting steps fail. Advising that the help desk will investigate and follow up at a later date is not a good option, as it may leave the customer unsatisfied and frustrated. It should be used only if the problem requires further research or escalation and cannot be resolved on the first call. Putting the customer on hold and escalating the call to a manager is not a good option, as it may waste time and resources. It should be used only if the problem is beyond the support technician’s scope or authority and requires managerial intervention.

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

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

 The most likely reason that the system is not utilizing all the available RAM is that the system is utilizing a 32-bit OS. A 32-bit OS is an operating system that uses 32 bits to address memory locations and perform calculations. A 32-bit OS can only support up to 4GB of RAM, and some of that RAM may be reserved for hardware devices or system functions, leaving less than 4GB of usable RAM for applications and processes. A 32-bit OS cannot recognize or utilize more than 4GB of RAM, even if more RAM is installed on the system. To utilize all the available RAM, the system needs to use a 64-bit OS, which can support much more RAM than a 32-bit OS. The system missing updates may cause some performance or compatibility issues, but it does not affect the amount of usable RAM on the system. The system’s memory failing may cause some errors or crashes, but it does not affect the amount of usable RAM on the system. The system requiring BIOS updates may cause some configuration or compatibility issues, but it does not affect the amount of usable RAM on the system. References: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Certification Exam Objectives Version 4.0, Domain 1.1

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

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Cloud storage ensures that data is backed up off-site, protecting against physical disasters like fires or floods.

A. Test environment – Incorrect. This is for software testing, not data recovery.

B. Local backups – Incorrect. These could also be destroyed in a disaster.

C. Cold site – Useful for disaster recovery but does not automatically back up data.

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.

Rootkits are particularly dangerous because they modify the operating system to hide their presence and can disable antivirus software like Windows Defender. Ransomware (A) encrypts files, but usually does not disable antivirus software. Spyware (C) and Keyloggers (D) typically do not directly disable antivirus programs either.

The appropriate method to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data is to wipe the drives (Option C). Wiping ensures that all data is securely erased, preventing any possibility of recovery. This is essential when handling drives containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

Degaussing (Option A) erases data but is more commonly used for magnetic tapes.

Drilling through the drives (Option B) physically destroys the drives, which may not be necessary if they are being reused.

Reimaging (Option D) would overwrite the current data with new data but may not guarantee complete data destruction.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.8 - Use common data destruction and disposal methods, including securely wiping drives​.

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

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

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

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

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

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

The best way to recover from a ransomware attack is by restoring clean backups of the affected files. Ransomware encrypts files and demands a ransom for decryption, but paying the ransom is not recommended because it does not guarantee file recovery.

A. Antivirus – Incorrect. Antivirus software may detect and remove the ransomware, but it cannot decrypt the files.

C. Anti-malware – Incorrect. Anti-malware software helps prevent infection but cannot recover encrypted files.

D. Recovery mode – Incorrect. Recovery mode restores system files but does not recover user data from ransomware.

Best Practice:

Regularly back up critical data and store backups in offline or cloud-based solutions to prevent ransomware from encrypting them.

SSH (Secure Shell) is the secure protocol used for remotely accessing and managing network devices. It encrypts communication, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. Telnet provides remote access but is not secure because it transmits data, including passwords, in plaintext. TKIP is an encryption protocol for Wi-Fi security, not a remote access method. RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) provides graphical remote desktop access mainly for Windows systems, not typically used for network device management. CompTIA A+ Core 2 clearly indicates SSH as the secure remote access protocol for network device administration.

The appropriate choice is "Acceptable Use Policy" (Option D). This policy defines the rules for how users should use the system, including login expectations and proper behavior when using company resources. It's typically displayed as a splash screen to remind users of their responsibilities.

End-user license agreement (Option A) pertains to the terms of software usage.

Non-disclosure agreement (Option B) deals with confidentiality but is unrelated to login behavior.

Regulatory compliance (Option C) relates to adherence to laws and regulations, but it is not typically displayed on a splash screen for login expectations.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

4.6 - Explain the importance of prohibited content/activity and acceptable use policies​​.

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

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

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

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

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

To securely access shared files and corporate email from home, the best tool to use is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Here’s why:

VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN creates a secure connection over the internet, allowing the user to access the corporate network as if they were on-site. It encrypts the data transmitted between the user's home and the corporate network, ensuring privacy and security.

MSRA (Microsoft Remote Assistance): Used for remote support but not for accessing shared files and emails securely.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Used for transferring files but does not provide secure access to a corporate network or email.

RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management): Used by IT professionals to manage client systems remotely but not for user access to shared files and emails.

To prevent unauthorized access to data if a mobile device is lost or stolen, enabling biometric authentication (such as fingerprint or facial recognition) ensures only authorized users can unlock the device. Encryption protects stored data by making it unreadable without proper credentials, securing the device contents even if physically accessed. Remote wipe and device tracking assist in device recovery or data removal but do not directly prevent unauthorized access. Antivirus software and VPN access protect against malware and network threats but do not guard against physical access. Core 2 Security objectives emphasize biometric authentication and encryption as key security controls for mobile devices.

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proceed with the next batch

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Certainly! Here are questions 26 to 31 reviewed and detailed per your format: