CompTIA A+ (Core 1) Practice Questions – Style 1

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You're a campaign worker tasked with running a totally ethical (we promise) disinformation campaign. Your boss insists you stay under the radar while uploading deepfake videos labeled as proof that the competing politician believes the earth is flat. To stay secure, you set up shop in a café with free public Wifi. How should you proceed? *

Connect to the public Wifi using a VPN with encryption. Hope the guy next to you streaming Stranger Things isn’t a hacker.

Turn on your firewall on your computer, then connect to the public Wifi using a VPN with encryption. Because nothing says “secure” like pretending your firewall is a medieval fortress.

Turn on your firewall, configure your VPN for a different city, enable encryption, then connect to the Wifi. Because rerouting through Cleveland automatically throws the feds off your trail, right?

Use a different Wifi hotspot offered by the neighboring business with fewer customers. Clearly, hackers are too lazy to target Organic Kale Café.

Enable your mobile hotspot on your phone. Just pray your boss reimburses your data bill when TikTok blows up the bandwidth.

You are working as IT support personnel for the US Armys 4th Psychological Operations Group. You and your team will be airdropped into a remote village, where you will be expected to provide aide and relief to a local tribe. The goal is to quell a disinformation campaign that is attempting to recruit tribe members into an Al Qaeda terrorist group. You know the location is remote. How will you maintain COMMS with the COMMS center hundreds of miles away? *

Handheld Radio

Cell Service

Wifi

Satellite

Smoke Signals

Morse Code

Your Uncle has asked that you build him and his son a computer, and he has offered to pay you $500 to do so. Your Uncle only needs access to Microsoft word and a basic web browser, whereas your Uncles son is an aspiring filmmaker. Which PC configurations should you pick for them? *

A microsoft PC for your uncle that has Microsoft word pre-installed, as well as a 500 GB SSD for him to store all of his files. A 32 GB RAM PC for his son with a integrated GPU.

A 32 GB RAM PC for the son that has an integrated GPU. A 16 GB RAM PC for the Uncle that has Microsoft word pre-installed.

A 8 GB RAM PC for the Uncle that has 250 GB of SSD. A 16 GB RAM PC for the son that has an aftermarket non-integrated GPU.

For the Uncle a PC with a non-integrated on-board GPU and 16 GB of RAM. For the son, I non-integrated GPU and 16 GB of RAM.

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You’re trying to visit a website, but instead of loading, it’s giving you the silent treatment. Oddly enough, your pings are reaching it just fine. What’s the most likely tool to fix the issue? *

DHCP – Because maybe the website is just waiting for an IP hug.

TFTP – Clearly, the website needs a quick file transfer to cheer up. Check Windows Defender Firewall or any other firewalls to ensure the ports for HTTP, HTTPS, TFTP and FTP are open.

DNS – Your computer might not be able to reach the address book for the internet. Perhaps you need to make sure your computer is correctly using the domain name system.

Hammer – Sometimes brute force feels good

Web Administration Issues – Reach out to the web admin or contact support for the website. It is clear that the DNS settings on their Authoritative Name Server have been set wrong.

Malware Scan – If you can ping the website but cannot pull it up in your web browser, it is possible your computer has been infected with malware.

A sneaky disinformation agent named "Fake News Freddy" is trying to remotely connect to his virtual workstation to upload a file called "Totally Real Unicorn Sightings 2024." He needs to make sure his connection is secure because, well, unicorns are serious business. What’s his best option? *

SSH – Because Freddy likes to "Securely Share Hype."

VPN – Because Freddy wants to make sure no one traces him back to his secret lair (which is totally not in his mom’s basement).

Carrier Pigeon – The real untraceable connection, assuming the pigeon doesn’t get intercepted.

Smoke Signals – Secure, but risky if the smoke spells out "Fake News Freddy" by mistake.

Imagine you are Dr. Frankenstein and you suspect the FBI is hot on your case. You cannot let the FBI find the monster you are creating in your basement. You would like to setup an old ethernet security camera you have lying around. What is the most cost efficient way for you to proceed? *

Old ethernet cameras are not as secure as the newer wireless blink cameras put out by Amazon. Don't waste your time. Order a blink camera from Amazon.

Purchase a second hand PoE capable switch off the darkweb in case you decide to add more security cameras later.

Purchase a PoE injector since… well… the PoE injector sounds like a cool thing to purchase anyway.

Older ethernet security cameras came with external power cables. Simply use that.

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You tried connecting a bottle of NOS to an Ethernet cable but that did not speed up your Wifi speed. Which Wifi combination below will lead to the greatest speed while also affording backward compatibility with older devices? *

A 2.5

B 2.5

G 2.5

N 5.0

A 5.0

B 5.0

G 5.0

N 2.5

You're planning a secret spy meeting and decide to use NFC for communication. How many spy gadgets can whisper sweet nothings to each other at the same time? *

As many as you can fit in your trench coat

All the gadgets in a Best Buy store

Just two, because NFC is more of a cozy date than a wild party

Up to three, because the NFCx technology extended the capability of NFC chips

Uh-oh! The device with the IP address 192.168.1.101 just threw a tantrum and refused to join the network party. Which of the following could be the buzzkill? *

It’s arguing with another device over who gets to wear the same IP address.

It’s dressed for the wrong subnet mask theme party.

It got the gateway directions wrong and is lost in cyberspace.

It’s shy because private IPs can’t mingle on the internet. The computer needs a public IP to communicate on the internet.

The top three questions could all be the cause behind the device being bouncer blocked from the party

All of the above could cause the device to not be there and be square

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Which of the following devices would most likely have a DHCP reservation, so it doesn’t forget where it lives on the network? *

Workstation (Because Bob in accounting claims to be doing real work, and he needs a reserved IP to match his VIP parking spot.)

Printer (Because while printers are allowed to run out of ink, they should not run out of network connectivity!)

Projector (Because presentations are important. Heaven forbid the CEO get kicked mid-stream.)

TV (Because work is overrated and smart TVs are used so frequently they need a reserved IP.)

You are terminating an Ethernet cable. Which tool would you most likely use? *

Wire stripper – because you have 8 wires to strip and you don't make enough to employ private strippers

A butter knife – because who doesn't love a good challenge?

Crimper – to make sure your connection is "snug" and "tight."

A rubber chicken – it’s the secret to perfect data transfer, right?

A screwdriver – because every tool looks like a hammer when you're frustrated.

You’re on a wild goose chase to find which cable is connected to a printer on a switch, but you're not sure which one it is. What will you use to pinpoint the correct cable? *

A magic wand, because tech support is all about miracles

A toner and probe, because obviously you can’t see through the cables, and you’re not a wizard

A magnifying glass, because everything looks better when it’s under a microscope

A magic 8-ball, because who needs real tools when you’ve got luck?

A cable tester, because duh

Your tongue. If the switch end shocks you as hard as the printer end, you've found the right cable. If not try again.

You’re connecting an external hard drive to your computer. Which of the following connection type will allow for the most effective data transfer? *

HDMI – because video signals and data storage are practically the same thing, right?

Thunderbolt – perfect if your hard drive costs as much as a small car.

USB – the "Swiss Army Knife" of connections (but good luck figuring out which way to plug it in).

eSATA – for when you want blazing-fast speeds and to feel a little fancy.

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You’re wiring up a commercial building, and the cable needs to handle the heat—literally. What do you choose to help prevent fire and fume related hazards? *

Ethernet – Ethernet internet cable was named "Ether" "net" because it is a network cable that can handle combustable materials like ether.

USB – For charging device and providing data transimission in a safe and simple form factor

USB-C – The techie’s favorite. Faster than a standard USB cable, and the C stands for "Combustion" rated.

Plenum – Sounds like a sci-fi villain, but it just might save the day.

Your friend Bob calls you over because his old gaming PC keeps turning off randomly. He's convinced it's haunted because there are no thermal warnings, and all the fans are working perfectly. Which of the following is the most likely cause and best step forward? *

Call an exorcist, attempt to re-awaken the computer and then start chanting "F2" in Latin until the computer awakens in BIOS. You need to enter BIOS to see the errors.

Unplug the computer and inspect the motherboards capacitors for swelling or rupture (i.e., failure). If they look like dropped soda cans, or soda cans that have swollen after being left in the freezer, then you've found your problem.

Replace the power supply for the PC. This type of behavior is almost always indicative of a faulty supply of electricity from the power supply.

Check the screen connectors to ensure they have not dislodged from the motherboard.

When you arrive at Bobs, immediately open the Power Supply's case. You've seen this a thousand times, there is a swollen or faulty capacitor in the power supply. Use your multimeter to test voltages around these components.

You have recently relocated 4 computers from a crime scene, and have brought them back to the police station for forensics. Unfortunately, two of the computers will no longer power on. What should you do first? (SELECT TWO) *

Contact the manufacturer for troubleshooting steps

Replace the Power Supplies

Check the voltage setting on the power supplies

Reseat the power cables

Open the case and replace the power button which may have been damaged during transfer

Ask your co-worker if he dropped any of the PCs, then tell him he should go jump off a bridge.

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You get a call about a printer that is not working. When you arrive, the printer looks like it has been clubbed to death with a baseball bat. You have been told that Steve, who works in customer service, experienced a bout of anger management issues when the printer started printing two pages for every page that Steve needed printed. As you look at the pages Steve was trying to print, you can see that they are single sided. What setting did Steve need set to print double sided pages and reduce the print time? *

Collate

Stack

Duplex

Mirror

You are installing a printer that will be used for large multi-page documents. You need to make sure you also install and configure what on the printer? *

MDF (Multiple Document Feeder)

ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)

DF (Document Feeder)

PPF (Printer Paper Feeder)

You work for the IT staff of supreme dictator Kim Jong Un in North Korea. Kim has asked that you set up his conference room for a teleconference. Which of the following items are the most important that you test prior to the conference? (Select 3) *

The comfiness of Kims chair

The angle of the camera so Kim's best side is showing

Microphone

Keyboard

Mouse

Speakers

Phone

Webcam

Docking Station

You tried printing off a photoshopped picture that shows your boss doing something he shouldn't be doing at a night club. Your plan was to quietly place the picture in the break room. Unfortunately, the print came out of the laser printer with streaks down the page. What is the most likely cause that you should check first, and what is the second most likely cause that should be checked second? *

First, check to make sure the print heads are clean. Second, check the firmware.

First, check the firmware which can be easily checked from your computer. Second, go to the printer and check that the print heads are clean.

First, check to make sure there are no dirt or debris in the paper path. Second, check the imaging drum for scratches.

First, check over your should to ensure your boss isn't watching. Second, try a different printer. The printer in accounting has always sucked anyway.

First, check to make sure the imaging drum is not scratched. Second, check that there are no debris in the paper path.

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You are the only IT employee that works at GrandmaPanties.com. The room that prints the designs on the grandma panties is having issues with a new Wifi Hotspot that you have set up for them. They claim that they are able to connect but then their connection will always shortly drop thereafter. What are the most likely causes and solutions? (Select 2) *

Conflicting channels and external interference. Try a different channel.

Iron beams and printing equipment blocking their signal when they move around the print shop. Install the access point high on the wall or ceiling above the equipment.

You're a terrible technician. Double check that you have a solid ethernet connection to the new hotspot. You never tested the cable.

Bad router / hotspot. It's possible you installed a hotspot with a manufacturing defect. Try a known good hotspot.

Bad power source. Use a multimeter to test that power from the outlet is consistent.

An HR employee reports that their Windows computer displays the error message "Bootable device not found" during startup. The HR employee is really hot and you're hoping to offer drinks after work when you fix the issue. Which of the following is LEAST likely to land your date with the HR employee? (Select 5) *

Check the physical hard drive connection, then test the hard drive.

Check the BIOS settings to see which device the computer is trying to boot to.

Ask if you can safely eject any USB devices they have plugged into the computer.

Replace the CMOS battery on the motherboard.

Check if they have recently updated Windows and revert the update if so.

Misconfigured boot order.

An office worker submits a help desk ticket saying their monitor displays a faint outline of a spreadsheet, even when it's turned off. As the savvy IT technician you are, you diagnose the problem as: *

A burned out bulb in the monitor

A burned in bulb causing image retention

The spreadsheet is haunting them

The monitor is infected with a virus

A user tries to install BitLocker, but it’s a no-go. What’s the most likely culprit that’s giving BitLocker its “trust issues”? *

The operating system needs some TLC (and an update)

The hard disk drive (HDD) just isn’t BitLocker’s type

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is having an identity crisis

BitLocker decided to ghost this device entirely

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