CompTIA 220-1102 - CompTIA A+ Certification Core 2 Exam

The CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1002 exam covers this topic in the following domains: 1.2 Given a scenario, use appropriate resources to support users and 1.3 Explain the importance of security awareness.

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 enable contactless payment, NFC (Near Field Communication) (Option C) needs to be enabled. NFC is the technology used in most mobile payment systems to enable close-range communication between the phone and a payment terminal.

Wi-Fi (Option A) and Bluetooth (Option D) are unrelated to contactless payments.

Nearby share (Option B) is a file-sharing feature, not a payment technology.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.7 - Explain common mobile device security settings, including enabling NFC for mobile payments​.

The chmod command in Unix/Linux systems changes file and directory permissions, allowing a technician to control read, write, and execute rights for users and groups. sudo allows running commands with elevated privileges but doesn’t directly change permissions. mv moves or renames files, and pwd prints the current working directory. Core 2 exam content covers basic Linux command-line utilities where chmod is essential for managing permissions to secure files and directories.

When a user's laptop shuts down every time the lid is closed, it typically means that the power settings are configured to put the laptop into a shutdown state when the lid is closed. To remediate this issue:

Edit the power plan: This involves changing the settings for what happens when the laptop lid is closed.

Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.

Click on "Choose what closing the lid does."

Change the settings for "When I close the lid" to either "Sleep" or "Do nothing" instead of "Shut down."

Configure the sleep settings: While similar to editing the power plan, this option specifically adjusts the sleep settings rather than the overall power plan settings.

Disable hibernation: This is a less direct solution but could be considered if the laptop was set to hibernate and then experiencing issues.

Turn on fast startup: This setting affects how quickly the computer starts up from a shutdown, but it does not directly address the issue of what happens when the lid is closed.

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.

Cross-site scripting (XSS) (Option C) allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. When the user visits the compromised site, the script runs in the user's browser, potentially allowing the attacker to steal data or perform unauthorized actions. XSS is a common vulnerability in web applications that allows code execution.

DoS (Option A) disrupts services but doesn't involve executing code on a user's device.

Spoofing (Option B) involves impersonating another device or user but doesn't execute code.

SQL injection (Option D) attacks a database and is unrelated to executing code on the user's computer.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.4 - Explain common social engineering attacks, including XSS​​.

The Update Assistant tool is designed to perform an in-place upgrade to Windows 10 that preserves user applications, data, and settings while automating much of the upgrade process. A clean install (A) wipes all data and applications, which is more time-consuming and risky. The Windows Update tool (B) is typically for updating the current OS version, not a major version upgrade like Windows 7 to 10. The "Refresh this PC" option (C) reinstalls Windows but removes applications, so it doesn’t preserve apps. Core 2 operating system objectives identify the Update Assistant as the preferred method to minimize effort and preserve user data during major upgrades.

When a user reports slow performance, a changed home page, and pop-up ads, these are classic signs of malware infection. The first step should be:

Update the antivirus program and run a full system scan: This helps identify and remove any malware present on the system, addressing the root cause of the issues.

Uninstall the suspicious search engine and reset the home page: This addresses the symptom but not the underlying cause, which is likely malware.

Install the latest updates for the operating system: Important for security but secondary to removing malware.

Block the pop-up ads using the web browser settings: Again, addresses the symptom but not the root cause.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

The top command in Linux provides real-time information about CPU usage, running processes, and memory usage. It is equivalent to the Task Manager in Windows.

B. ls – Incorrect. The ls command lists directory contents and does not display processor activity.

C. procmon – Incorrect. Process Monitor (procmon) is a Windows utility, not a Linux command.

D. taskmgr – Incorrect. taskmgr opens Task Manager in Windows but does not exist in Linux.

Since both developer mode and the ability to install apps from unknown sources are enabled, the technician should check for Malicious applications (Option B). Unknown sources can allow unverified apps that may include malware or apps that use excessive background data without the user's knowledge. Checking for malicious apps is essential in this scenario.

Storage cache (Option A) would not typically cause high data usage.

Privacy settings (Option C) control data sharing and permissions but don't directly impact data usage.

Permissions (Option D) might help identify apps using data, but the focus should be on apps that could be malicious.

CompTIA A+ Core 2 References:

2.7 - Explain common methods for securing mobile devices, including detecting and preventing malware​.

The netstat command displays active TCP/IP network connections on a computer. It shows current connections between the infected machine and any external IP addresses, which can help the technician detect communication with suspicious or malicious hosts. This is crucial in malware investigations to identify if the system is contacting command and control servers. tracert traces the path to a network host but doesn’t show active connections. net use manages shared resources, net user manages user accounts, and nslookup resolves DNS names but doesn’t show communication. Core 2 tools for network troubleshooting list netstat as vital for identifying network activity related to malware infections.