220-1202 Mobile OS and App Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of mobile os and app troubleshooting. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An employee's company-issued Android phone is suddenly displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. The employee claims they only downloaded apps from the official Google Play Store. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
A recently installed app has been granted 'Draw over other apps' permission.
The 'Draw over other apps' permission allows an app to display content on top of other applications, including the home screen and lock screen. This is a common technique used by adware and malicious apps to serve persistent pop-up ads even when no browser is open, as the app can draw its own window outside of the normal app lifecycle. Since the employee only downloaded from Google Play, this permission abuse is the most likely cause, as even Play Store apps can be granted this permission by the user during installation or runtime.
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.
✗
The phone's firmware is outdated.
Why it's wrong here
Outdated firmware can cause security issues but does not directly cause pop-up ads without a malicious app.
✓
A recently installed app has been granted 'Draw over other apps' permission.
Why this is correct
This permission allows apps to display content on top of other apps, which is a common vector for adware.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The phone's Wi-Fi network is infected with malware.
Why it's wrong here
Wi-Fi network malware can cause redirects in browsers, but pop-ups without a browser open suggest on-device adware.
✗
The phone's screen has a hardware defect causing ghost touches.
Why it's wrong here
Ghost touches might open apps, but they would not specifically cause pop-up ads; this is a software issue.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between network-level threats (like DNS hijacking) and client-side permission abuse, so the trap here is that candidates may assume pop-up ads always come from browser-based malware or network injection, rather than recognizing the 'Draw over other apps' permission as the specific Android mechanism for persistent on-screen overlays.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'Draw over other apps' permission is implemented via the `SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW` permission in Android, which allows an app to use the `WindowManager` to add views with the `TYPE_APPLICATION_OVERLAY` window type. This permission is considered dangerous and is restricted in Android 6.0+ (API 23), but users can manually grant it in Settings > Apps > Special app access. In real-world scenarios, adware apps often request this permission under the guise of 'battery saver' or 'screen dimmer' features, then serve intrusive ads that are difficult to dismiss without revoking the permission.
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.
Mobile OS and App Troubleshooting — This question tests Mobile OS and App Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A recently installed app has been granted 'Draw over other apps' permission. — The 'Draw over other apps' permission allows an app to display content on top of other applications, including the home screen and lock screen. This is a common technique used by adware and malicious apps to serve persistent pop-up ads even when no browser is open, as the app can draw its own window outside of the normal app lifecycle. Since the employee only downloaded from Google Play, this permission abuse is the most likely cause, as even Play Store apps can be granted this permission by the user during installation or runtime.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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