The answer is a phishing link, because the combination of a lookalike bank login page and an HTTP URL instead of HTTPS is a classic indicator of a credential theft attempt. The technical concept here is that HTTPS provides TLS encryption, which authenticates the server and secures data in transit; a phishing site deliberately avoids HTTPS because it cannot obtain a valid certificate for the spoofed domain, so the lack of encryption is a major red flag. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to recognize social engineering tactics and identify unencrypted connections as security threats, often appearing in a multiple-choice question where distractors might suggest a browser bug or a network misconfiguration. A common trap is assuming HTTP just means “not secure” without connecting it to the phishing context, so remember that legitimate financial sites always enforce HTTPS. Memory tip: “No S, no security—phishy link, don’t click it.”
220-1202 Browser and Application Security Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of browser and application security. 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 customer says that when they click a link in an email, it opens a website that looks exactly like their bank's login page, but the URL starts with 'http://' instead of 'https://'. What is the most likely security concern?
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
✓
The email contains a phishing link.
The absence of HTTPS and the lookalike page strongly indicate a phishing attempt. Phishing sites often mimic legitimate sites to steal credentials, and the lack of encryption is a red flag. Users should never enter credentials on non-HTTPS pages, especially from email links.
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 website is using an expired SSL certificate.
Why it's wrong here
An expired certificate would still show HTTPS but with a warning; the URL here is HTTP, not HTTPS.
✗
The user's browser is infected with adware.
Why it's wrong here
Adware typically shows pop-ups or changes search results, not a complete fake login page from an email link.
✓
The email contains a phishing link.
Why this is correct
The combination of a lookalike page and HTTP instead of HTTPS is classic phishing, designed to steal login credentials.
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 user's DNS server has been compromised.
Why it's wrong here
DNS poisoning could redirect to a fake site, but the email link directly leads to the fake page, making phishing more likely.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
An expired certificate would still show HTTPS but with a warning; the URL here is HTTP, not HTTPS.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
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.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
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.
Browser and Application Security — This question tests Browser and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The email contains a phishing link. — The absence of HTTPS and the lookalike page strongly indicate a phishing attempt. Phishing sites often mimic legitimate sites to steal credentials, and the lack of encryption is a red flag. Users should never enter credentials on non-HTTPS pages, especially from email links.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
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.
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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