The correct answer is to enable Windows Defender Credential Guard, as it is the most effective security measure to prevent pass-the-hash attacks. Credential Guard uses virtualization-based security (VBS) to isolate and protect NTLM password hashes and Kerberos tickets in a secure container, separate from the operating system. This means that even if an attacker gains administrative access and runs tools like Mimikatz, they cannot extract the hashes from LSASS memory because Credential Guard locks them away in a hardware-protected environment. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of how lateral movement attacks exploit credential theft and why simply disabling NTLM or using LSA protection is insufficient against a determined attacker with admin rights. A common trap is choosing “Enable LSA protection” or “Disable NTLM authentication,” but remember: Credential Guard is the only option that isolates hashes at the hypervisor level. Memory tip: think “Guard the vault” – Credential Guard locks the hash vault so Mimikatz can’t pick the lock.
220-1102 PC Security Issue Remediation Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of pc security issue remediation. 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 company's network was breached, and forensic analysis reveals that an attacker used a pass-the-hash attack to move laterally. Which security measure would most effectively prevent this type of attack in the future?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Windows Defender Credential Guard.
Windows Defender Credential Guard uses virtualization-based security (VBS) to isolate and protect NTLM password hashes and Kerberos tickets in a secure container, preventing attackers from extracting them from LSASS memory even if they have administrative access. This directly stops pass-the-hash attacks because the hashes are never accessible to the operating system or tools like Mimikatz.
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.
✗
Require all users to change passwords every 30 days.
Why it's wrong here
Frequent password changes do not prevent pass-the-hash; attackers can still capture and reuse hashes within the validity period.
✗
Implement network segmentation and firewall rules.
Why it's wrong here
Segmentation limits lateral movement but does not prevent the hash from being captured and reused on accessible systems.
✓
Enable Windows Defender Credential Guard.
Why this is correct
Credential Guard protects credential hashes by storing them in a virtualized container, preventing pass-the-hash attacks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Disable NTLM authentication entirely.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling NTLM may break legacy applications and does not protect against pass-the-hash using Kerberos tickets or other methods.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that network segmentation or disabling NTLM alone stops pass-the-hash, but the core issue is protecting the hash in memory, which only Credential Guard (or equivalent) addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Credential Guard works by running a separate, isolated instance of LSASS (LSAISO) in a virtual secure mode (VSM) container, which is protected by the hypervisor. Even if an attacker gains SYSTEM privileges, they cannot read the hashes from the protected LSASS process because the hypervisor enforces memory isolation. In real-world attacks, Mimikatz's sekurlsa::logonpasswords command fails to extract hashes when Credential Guard is enabled, as the hashes reside only in the secure container.
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.
PC Security Issue Remediation — This question tests PC Security Issue Remediation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Windows Defender Credential Guard. — Windows Defender Credential Guard uses virtualization-based security (VBS) to isolate and protect NTLM password hashes and Kerberos tickets in a secure container, preventing attackers from extracting them from LSASS memory even if they have administrative access. This directly stops pass-the-hash attacks because the hashes are never accessible to the operating system or tools like Mimikatz.
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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