The correct additional step is to disable WPS on the router. While WPA2-PSK with a strong passphrase provides robust encryption, Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) creates a critical backdoor that attackers can exploit through brute-force PIN guessing, often cracking the network in hours regardless of passphrase strength. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that encryption alone isn’t enough—you must also eliminate protocol-level vulnerabilities. A common trap is assuming a long passphrase makes WPS safe, but the exam emphasizes that WPS bypasses the passphrase entirely. Remember the memory tip: “WPS is a Weakness, not a Protector—Switch it off.”
220-1202 Wireless Security Protocols Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. 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 technician is setting up a wireless network for a home office. The client is concerned about neighbors accessing their internet. The technician enables WPA2-PSK with a strong passphrase. Which additional step should the technician take to ensure the network is as secure as possible?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Disable WPS on the router.
Disabling WPS prevents attackers from using brute-force attacks to guess the PIN and retrieve the passphrase. WPA2-PSK with a strong passphrase is secure, but WPS can bypass that security.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enable WPS for easy device pairing.
Why it's wrong here
WPS has known vulnerabilities that can expose the passphrase.
✗
Disable SSID broadcast.
Why it's wrong here
Hiding the SSID provides minimal security and can cause connectivity issues.
✓
Disable WPS on the router.
Why this is correct
WPS is a common attack vector; disabling it forces attackers to crack the passphrase directly.
MAC filtering can be easily bypassed by spoofing, so it is not a strong security measure.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
WPS has known vulnerabilities that can expose the passphrase.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1202 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Disable WPS on the router. — Disabling WPS prevents attackers from using brute-force attacks to guess the PIN and retrieve the passphrase. WPA2-PSK with a strong passphrase is secure, but WPS can bypass that security.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1202 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
About these practice questions
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These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer complains that their new smartphone connects to their home Wi-Fi but has no internet access. The router is configured with WPA2-PSK and a 64-character pre-shared key. Other devices work fine. What is the most likely cause?
easy
A.The smartphone's Wi-Fi antenna is faulty.
✓ B.The smartphone is using a wrong or mistyped Wi-Fi password.
C.The router's DHCP server has run out of IP addresses.
D.The smartphone's DNS settings are misconfigured.
Why B: WPA2-PSK with a 64-character key is extremely long and easy to mistype. The smartphone likely has an incorrect password stored, so it authenticates to the router but fails to get an IP address because the router rejects the mismatched key during the 4-way handshake.
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Question Discussion
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