220-1202 CompTIA A+ Core 2 (2026 Exam Update) Free Practice Exam Questions (2026 Updated)

To display a file’s contents in Linux, the standard command is cat. Quentin Docter states: “Sometime you just need to view the contents of a file. To view the contents of a file, use the cat command,” and shows an example cat /etc/hosts displaying the file output. He also lists essential Linux commands and explicitly defines cat as: “Displays the contents of a file.”

The other options do not meet the requirement: chmod changes file permissions, ls lists directory contents (or file names), and sudo runs a command with elevated privileges—none directly display a file’s contents by themselves. A+ also expects you to know that cat can do more than display; it can concatenate files and redirect output, but for this question the key function is simply viewing a file.

Therefore, the correct command is cat (B).

The correct answer is D. Check the sources the AI tool is using for copyrighted content, because legal and ethical use of AI-generated code depends on ensuring the output does not violate copyright or licensing restrictions. Developers are responsible for verifying that code used in their applications complies with intellectual property laws.

According to the Quentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, responsible and appropriate use of AI tools includes validating outputs for accuracy, legality, and compliance. AI systems may generate code that resembles copyrighted or licensed material if their training data includes such sources.

The Travis Everett & Andrew Hutz – All-in-One Exam Guide explains that simply crediting an author or adding comments does not automatically grant legal permission to use copyrighted code. Developers must ensure that the generated code is either original, properly licensed, or permitted for use under open-source or fair-use terms.

The Mike Meyers / Mark Soper Lab Manual reinforces that silently using generated code without verification can expose organizations to legal risk, including copyright infringement claims. Ethical AI usage requires due diligence before deploying generated outputs into production systems.

Because the question asks for the best legal choice, verifying the AI tool’s sources and licensing is the most appropriate action, making D the correct answer.

To prevent external access, the technician should avoid exposing the surveillance system’s port to the public internet. Port mapping (also known as port forwarding) is the method used to control which internal devices and ports are accessible from the outside. By not configuring port forwarding for the device, external login attempts are effectively blocked.

B. Subnetting organizes IP addresses but doesn ' t directly restrict access.

C. A static IP ensures consistent addressing but does not secure access.

D. Content filtering is used to restrict web content, not to block access to a web interface.

Most public Wi-Fi networks requireinteraction with a captive portal(e.g., terms of use or login). Dismissing it prevents the user from gaining internet access. Reconnecting and completing the portal page is essential.

FromAll-in-One Exam Guide:

“Many public hotspots require user acknowledgment or login via a captive portal. Skipping this step results in no internet access.”

Keychainis the built-in macOS utility that manages and stores credentials, including passwords and certificates.

According toQuentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide:

“Keychain Access in macOS is used for managing and storing passwords securely, similar to credential managers in Windows.”

If a system becomes unresponsive while opening a specific spreadsheet, the issue is likely tied to the file’s size or the complexity of its content (e.g., embedded formulas, macros, or graphics). High memory utilization caused by the file can lead to temporary freezing or application " Not Responding " messages. Checking the spreadsheet ' s file size and monitoring system memory in Task Manager will help isolate performance bottlenecks.

A. Anti-malware logs are important for security troubleshooting but less likely relevant to spreadsheet-related performance issues.

B. Workstation repair is for system-wide problems and not necessary for a single-file issue.

C. Bandwidth relates to network usage and wouldn’t impact opening a local file.

The correct answer is D. Disk encryption . A laptop used while traveling internationally has a higher risk of loss, theft, or unauthorized physical access. Disk encryption protects the data even if the attacker removes the drive and connects it to another computer. Quentin Docter’s Complete Study Guide explains that BitLocker uses drive encryption to protect files, including startup and login-related files, and that a TPM can safely store the encryption key so it is not stored on the encrypted disk. It also notes that BitLocker helps mitigate data loss because a removed drive remains encrypted. The Mike Meyers/Mark Soper material similarly states that BitLocker encrypts the whole drive and protects data if a portable computer or hard drive is stolen. A screen lock is useful, but it only protects an active or idle session. Content filtering controls web access, and restricted login times limit when users can sign in, but neither provides strong protection for stored data on a stolen laptop.

Adding ten high-end graphics/animation desktops can dramatically increase the electrical load on the room’s existing circuits. High-performance CPUs and GPUs draw substantially more wattage than typical office PCs, and that wattage translates into higher current (amperage) on the circuit. Mike Meyers’ Lab Manual explains the relationship V × A = W and warns that wiring and circuits have amperage ratings; pushing too much current can overheat wiring and trigger safety devices. It also explains that circuit breakers are rated for a specified amperage and will open (trip) when overloaded to prevent overheating and damage. Therefore, before deployment, the technician should calculate expected power draw per system and ensure the desktops are distributed across sufficient circuits (or that electrical upgrades are made) to avoid repeated breaker trips, overheating risks, and downtime. While temperature and humidity matter for environmental control, the question is specifically about introducing multiple power-hungry workstations, making circuit power consumption the most critical planning factor for safe, stable operation. This aligns with A+ operational/environmental concepts around proper power handling and avoiding overload conditions.

For persistent printing issues due to spooler service, ensure theprint spooler is started and set to Automatic. This maintains print capability across reboots.

FromMike Meyers ' Lab Manual:

“If users lose printing capabilities on reboot, the print spooler service must be configured to start automatically and be confirmed as running.”

Many modern commercial software applications (including photo editors like Adobe Photoshop) offer tiered features based on user subscriptions or license levels. If certain features are locked and prompt for a login, the issue is likely due to a missing or unassigned software license. Assigning the correct license through a centralized license management system (such as Adobe Admin Console or Microsoft 365 portal) will enable those features.

B. VPN connection does not affect local software licensing.

C. Repairing the application does not resolve license entitlement.

D. Reinstalling the software won’t help unless the license is assigned.

The correct answer is D. Smishing, which is a form of phishing attack conducted via SMS text messages. The key indicators in this scenario are the unexpected text message and the embedded link prompting the user to reset a password. These attacks rely on urgency and fear to trick users into clicking malicious links or providing credentials.

According to the Quentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, smishing attacks often impersonate legitimate organizations such as banks, IT departments, or service providers. The attacker claims that an account action is required, such as resetting an expired password, to prompt immediate user response.

The Travis Everett & Andrew Hutz – All-in-One Exam Guide explains that smishing is distinct from other phishing variants based on delivery method. Vishing uses voice calls, spear phishing targets specific individuals via email, and whaling targets high-level executives. Since this attack is delivered via text message, it is classified as smishing.

The Mike Meyers / Mark Soper Lab Manual reinforces that modern attackers increasingly use SMS because users often trust text messages more than emails. This makes smishing a highly effective and common attack vector.

Because the attack uses SMS with a malicious link, smishing is the correct answer.

A zero-day vulnerability demands an emergency change to quickly secure the system, even if downtime is needed.

From Mike Meyers ' Lab Manual:

“Emergency changes bypass standard scheduling to quickly address critical vulnerabilities that pose immediate risks.” .

Image deployment is the fastest and most efficient method for installing operating systems on multiple machines. It involves creating a pre-configured image of an OS and deploying it across systems using tools like Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or third-party imaging solutions. This method saves time and ensures consistency across all devices.

A. Physical media is slow and not scalable.

B. Mountable ISOs are useful but still require manual installation.

C. Manual installation is time-consuming and not suitable for large-scale deployment.

Domain join capability is a key Windows edition differentiator. In Quentin Docter’s Windows editions comparison, Home explicitly “lacks support for… joining to a domain,” while Pro “can join a Windows server domain.” This applies across Windows 10/11 edition families: Home is positioned for consumers and does not include domain-join features, whereas Pro includes the business feature set.

The All-in-One guide states the same concept: “Windows Home systems cannot become part of a domain; to do that, you’ll need something like Windows Pro.” The Mike Meyers Lab Manual reinforces that Pro is the baseline edition for domain membership in business environments.

Given the answer choices, Windows 11 Pro is the correct selection for joining a domain.

These symptoms strongly indicatemalware infectionor a malicious app running in the background. The first action should be torun a malware scanto identify and remove malicious components.

FromQuentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide:

“If a mobile device is overheating and the battery drains rapidly after installing an app, this could point to malware. Begin by scanning the device with a mobile anti-malware application.”

One of the most common causes for performance degradation on smartphones isstorage or memory overloaddue to excessive apps.Uninstalling unused appsis a basic but effective first diagnostic step.

FromTravis Everett – All-in-One Exam Guide:

“Start troubleshooting sluggish smartphones by clearing unused apps and files before performing advanced diagnostics or resets.”

The su (substitute user) command is used in Linux to switch to another user account, most commonly to escalate privileges by switching to the root (administrator) account. It allows administrative tasks to be performed in a terminal session.

A. runas is a Windows command for executing a program under another user ' s context.

B. cmcl is not a valid Linux or administrative command.

C. net user is a Windows command for managing local user accounts.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) apps, especially time-based one-time password (TOTP) apps (e.g., Google Authenticator, Authy), rely on accurate time synchronization between the device and the authentication server. If the user recently traveled internationally, the device may have incorrect date/time settings due to time zone changes or failed synchronization, leading to MFA failure.

The most logical and non-intrusive first step is to verify and correct the date and time settings. This aligns with basic troubleshooting principles—start with the simplest and most likely cause before taking more drastic action.

The correct answer is A. Remove account administrative rights, because unauthorized software installation is most commonly possible when users have local administrator privileges. In Windows environments, installing most applications requires elevated permissions. If users are members of the local Administrators group, they can bypass many built-in security controls and install software without IT approval.

According to the Quentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, the principle of least privilege is fundamental to endpoint security. Users should only be granted the minimum permissions necessary to perform their job functions. Removing administrative rights prevents users from installing unapproved applications and significantly reduces malware risk.

The Travis Everett & Andrew Hutz – All-in-One Exam Guide explains that while technologies like firewalls, SmartScreen, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) provide important layers of protection, they do not directly stop users from installing software if they already have administrative access. EDR detects and responds to threats, but it does not prevent intentional installation by privileged users.

The Mike Meyers / Mark Soper Lab Manual reinforces that controlling user permissions is the most effective preventive control against unauthorized changes to a system. Removing admin rights stops the root cause rather than reacting after installation occurs.

Therefore, to prevent future unauthorized software installations, removing account administrative rights is the most direct and effective solution, making A the correct answer.