easyMultiple Choice
220-1102 Practice Question: That their browser frequently redirects to a…
A user reports that their browser frequently redirects to a different search engine, and a new toolbar has appeared. After checking the browser settings, you find the homepage has been changed and there are unknown extensions enabled. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
220-1202 often tests the ability to differentiate between malware symptoms (hijacker) and benign issues (cache, outdated browser, proxy), with the trap being to attribute redirects to proxy misconfiguration when the evidence points to a malicious extension.
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
✓
A browser hijacker installed via a malicious extension
The symptoms—browser redirects, new toolbar, changed homepage, and unknown extensions—are classic signs of a browser hijacker, which is often installed via malicious extensions. These extensions modify browser settings to redirect traffic and inject ads.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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A corrupted browser cache
Why it's wrong here
A corrupted browser cache stores temporary website data to improve loading times. While corruption can lead to display issues, broken images, or pages failing to load correctly, it does not actively modify browser settings to force frequent redirects to different URLs. Redirects are typically caused by active malicious code or server-side instructions, not passive data corruption within the cache.
- ✓
A browser hijacker installed via a malicious extension
Why this is correct
A browser hijacker is a specific type of malware designed to alter a web browser's settings without the user's permission. These hijackers frequently install themselves as malicious extensions, which then modify the default homepage, search engine, and crucially, inject code that forces frequent redirects to unwanted advertising, phishing sites, or other malicious domains, directly causing the reported symptom.
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An outdated browser version
Why it's wrong here
An outdated browser version certainly poses significant security risks, as it lacks patches for known vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. However, an outdated browser itself does not directly cause frequent redirects; rather, it creates an opportunity for malicious software, such as a browser hijacker, to be installed and then perform those redirects. The redirects are a symptom of the active malware, not the browser's age.
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A misconfigured proxy server
Why it's wrong here
A misconfigured proxy server can indeed cause network traffic to be routed incorrectly, potentially leading to connection errors or unexpected redirects at the network level. However, a proxy server primarily handles network requests and does not typically install malicious extensions, alter a browser's internal settings like the homepage or search engine, or inject toolbars, which are common characteristics of browser hijackers that cause persistent, unwanted redirects.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.