Quick Answer
The answer is Event Viewer, the built-in Windows tool used to review user logon attempts in security logs. Event Viewer is correct because it hosts the Windows Security log, which records every logon event—both successful and failed logins—along with precise timestamps, user account details, and source IP addresses when applicable. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of auditing and incident response procedures; a common trap is confusing Event Viewer with Task Manager or Resource Monitor, which do not log historical security events. Remember that the Security log is the only log that tracks logon success and failure by default, and you can filter by Event ID 4624 for successful logons and 4625 for failed attempts. A helpful memory tip is “4624 for the door open, 4625 for the door locked”—these IDs are your fast track to identifying unauthorized access in the logs.
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows administrative tools. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A security incident occurred on a Windows 10 workstation, and you need to review detailed logs of user logon attempts, including successful and failed logins, to identify unauthorized access. Which tool should you use to view these security logs?
Reliability Monitor
Why wrong: Reliability Monitor tracks system stability events, not detailed security logon logs.
Performance Monitor
Why wrong: Performance Monitor tracks performance counters, not security events.
Event Viewer
Event Viewer's Security log records all logon events, providing the necessary audit trail.
Group Policy Editor
Why wrong: Group Policy Editor configures policies, but does not display logs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Event Viewer
Event Viewer contains Security logs that record logon events (success and failure) with timestamps and user account details. This is the primary tool for auditing user logon activity on Windows.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Reliability Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Reliability Monitor tracks system stability events, not detailed security logon logs.
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor tracks performance counters, not security events.
Event Viewer
Why this is correct
Event Viewer's Security log records all logon events, providing the necessary audit trail.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Group Policy Editor
Why it's wrong here
Group Policy Editor configures policies, but does not display logs.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Windows Administrative Tools — This question tests Windows Administrative Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Event Viewer — Event Viewer contains Security logs that record logon events (success and failure) with timestamps and user account details. This is the primary tool for auditing user logon activity on Windows.
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
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