SSH is the correct choice because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote shell access to Linux servers over insecure networks, using TCP port 22 with strong ciphers like AES and ChaCha20. For secure remote access to a Linux server from a Windows workstation, SSH is the standard protocol because it encrypts the entire session—including credentials and commands—unlike older, unencrypted tools such as Telnet. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between secure and insecure remote access technologies; a common trap is confusing SSH with RDP (which is for Windows-to-Windows GUI access) or with Telnet (which lacks encryption). Remember that SSH is for command-line control of Linux/Unix systems, while RDP handles graphical desktops on Windows. A simple memory tip: “Secure Shell for Shell access” — if you need a secure command line on Linux, think SSH.
220-1202 Remote Access Technologies Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of remote access technologies. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician is configuring a remote desktop solution for a user who needs to access a Linux server from a Windows 10 workstation. The technician wants to use a secure, encrypted connection. Which remote access technology should the technician configure on the Linux server?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct choice because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote shell access to Linux/Unix servers over an insecure network. It uses TCP port 22 and supports strong encryption algorithms (e.g., AES, ChaCha20) and public-key authentication, making it the standard secure remote access protocol for Linux systems.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
RDP
Why it's wrong here
RDP is a Windows protocol and is not natively available on Linux without additional software like xrdp.
✗
VNC
Why it's wrong here
VNC can be encrypted with SSH tunneling, but by itself it is not encrypted and is less secure.
✓
SSH
Why this is correct
SSH provides encrypted command-line access and is the standard for secure remote administration of Linux servers.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Telnet
Why it's wrong here
Telnet is unencrypted and insecure, making it unsuitable for secure remote access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse RDP (a Windows-centric GUI protocol) with SSH (a Linux-centric secure shell protocol), or mistakenly think VNC is inherently secure, when in fact SSH is the only option that provides built-in encryption and is the standard for secure Linux remote access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH operates on a client-server model using the SSH protocol (RFC 4251-4256), which negotiates encryption, integrity, and authentication at connection setup. A common real-world scenario is using SSH to securely manage a headless Linux server from a Windows workstation via tools like PuTTY or the built-in OpenSSH client in Windows 10, where the server runs an SSH daemon (sshd) listening on port 22.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Remote Access Technologies — This question tests Remote Access Technologies — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SSH — SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct choice because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote shell access to Linux/Unix servers over an insecure network. It uses TCP port 22 and supports strong encryption algorithms (e.g., AES, ChaCha20) and public-key authentication, making it the standard secure remote access protocol for Linux systems.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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