hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: A technician is configuring a remote desktop…
A technician is configuring a remote desktop solution for a user who needs to access a Linux server from a Windows 10 workstation. The technician wants to use a secure, encrypted connection. Which remote access technology should the technician configure on the Linux server?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse RDP (a Windows-centric GUI protocol) with SSH (a Linux-centric secure shell protocol), or mistakenly think VNC is inherently secure, when in fact SSH is the only option that provides built-in encryption and is the standard for secure Linux remote access.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SSH
SSH (Secure Shell) is the correct choice because it provides encrypted, authenticated remote shell access to Linux/Unix servers over an insecure network. It uses TCP port 22 and supports strong encryption algorithms (e.g., AES, ChaCha20) and public-key authentication, making it the standard secure remote access protocol for Linux systems.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
RDP
Why it's wrong here
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is primarily a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft for graphical remote access to Windows operating systems. While third-party solutions like xrdp can enable RDP server functionality on Linux, it is not a native or inherently secure solution for Linux administration. Relying on RDP for secure Linux management would require additional software and configuration, deviating from standard, native Linux security practices.
- ✗
VNC
Why it's wrong here
Virtual Network Computing (VNC) provides graphical desktop sharing but inherently transmits data, including screen updates and keyboard/mouse input, without encryption. Although VNC can be secured by tunneling its traffic through an encrypted protocol like SSH, it does not offer native encryption on its own. Therefore, using VNC directly without additional security layers makes it highly vulnerable to eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, rendering it unsuitable for secure remote access.
- ✓
SSH
Why this is correct
Secure Shell (SSH) is the industry standard for secure remote command-line access and administration of Linux servers. It establishes an encrypted connection between the client and server, protecting data integrity and confidentiality through strong cryptographic algorithms. SSH also provides robust authentication mechanisms, such as password or public-key authentication, making it the most appropriate and secure choice for managing Linux systems remotely. This protocol is fundamental for secure system administration in professional environments.
- ✗
Telnet
Why it's wrong here
Telnet is an outdated network protocol used for command-line communication with a remote device, but it transmits all data, including usernames and passwords, in plaintext. This complete lack of encryption makes Telnet highly susceptible to packet sniffing and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Consequently, Telnet is fundamentally insecure and should never be used for remote administration or any task requiring confidentiality, as it poses a severe security risk.
Quick reference
Symmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Size | Block Size | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | NIST approved; WPA3, TLS |
| AES-256 | 256-bit | 128-bit | Current standard | Preferred for sensitive / govt data |
| 3DES | 112-bit effective | 64-bit | Deprecated (2023) | Replaced by AES |
| DES | 56-bit | 64-bit | Broken | Cracked in < 24 h; never deploy |
| ChaCha20 | 256-bit | Stream cipher | Current | TLS 1.3, WireGuard |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Windows Editions and Features
Key term
Advanced Encryption Standard
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is a widely used symmetric encryption algorithm that protects electronic data by converting readable information into a scrambled format that can only be unscrambled with the correct secret key.
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.