The answer is the Account lockout threshold policy, which you must set to 5 under the Account Lockout Policy section of Local Security Policy. This policy directly controls how many failed login attempts are allowed before the system locks the account, effectively stopping brute-force attacks by denying further access. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this concept tests your understanding of local security hardening—often appearing in scenario-based questions where a user’s device has been left vulnerable to repeated login attempts. A common trap is confusing the lockout threshold with the lockout duration or reset counter; remember that the threshold defines the *number* of failures, not the time. To lock after 5 attempts, you set the threshold to 5, then configure a lockout duration (e.g., 30 minutes) and a reset counter (e.g., 30 minutes) to complete the policy. Memory tip: think “5 strikes and you’re out” to recall that the threshold is the strike count.
220-1202 Windows Security Settings Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows security settings. 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.
During a security audit, you discover that a user’s Windows 10 device has allowed multiple failed login attempts without locking the account. Which policy should you adjust to enforce account lockout after 5 failed attempts?
Account lockout policies are configured in the Local Security Policy under Account Policies. Setting 'Account lockout threshold' to 5 will lock the account after that many failed attempts, preventing brute-force attacks.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Password Policy – Minimum password length
Why it's wrong here
Minimum password length controls password complexity, not lockout after failed logins.
This setting defines the number of failed logins allowed before the account is locked.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
User Rights Assignment – Deny log on locally
Why it's wrong here
This controls which users can log on, not the number of failed attempts.
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Security Options – Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on
Why it's wrong here
This displays a legal notice, but does not enforce lockout.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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 ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related 220-1202 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Windows Security Settings — This question tests Windows Security Settings — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Account Lockout Policy – Account lockout threshold — Account lockout policies are configured in the Local Security Policy under Account Policies. Setting 'Account lockout threshold' to 5 will lock the account after that many failed attempts, preventing brute-force attacks.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related 220-1202 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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