The answer is Gatekeeper, the macOS security feature that controls where applications can be installed from. By configuring Gatekeeper to allow installations only from the App Store, you effectively restrict app installations on Macs to the Mac App Store only, blocking any software downloaded from the internet or other sources. This directly meets the business owner’s requirement to prevent employees from downloading unapproved software. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of macOS security settings under Objective 3.2, which covers configuring operating system security. A common trap is confusing Gatekeeper with FileVault (which encrypts the drive) or the macOS firewall (which controls network traffic). Remember that Gatekeeper is the gatekeeper of app sources, not data encryption. A useful memory tip: think of Gatekeeper as the bouncer at the club—set it to “App Store only,” and no outside apps get in.
220-1102 macOS Features and Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of macos features and tools. 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.
A small business owner wants to restrict app installations on company Macs to only the Mac App Store to prevent employees from downloading unapproved software. Which macOS security feature should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Gatekeeper
Gatekeeper controls where apps can be installed from. Setting it to 'App Store' restricts installations to only Mac App Store apps, meeting the business requirement.
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.
✗
FileVault
Why it's wrong here
FileVault encrypts the entire disk, it does not control app installation sources.
✗
System Integrity Protection (SIP)
Why it's wrong here
SIP protects system files from modification but does not restrict user app installations.
✓
Gatekeeper
Why this is correct
Gatekeeper allows administrators to set allowed app sources: App Store, App Store and identified developers, or anywhere.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Parental Controls
Why it's wrong here
Parental Controls manage user accounts for children, not enterprise app restriction.
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.
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.
macOS Features and Tools — This question tests macOS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Gatekeeper — Gatekeeper controls where apps can be installed from. Setting it to 'App Store' restricts installations to only Mac App Store apps, meeting the business requirement.
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.
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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