- A
The antivirus definitions are outdated.
Why wrong: Outdated definitions could miss the virus, but the technician already removed it in Safe Mode, so the issue is likely persistence, not detection.
- B
The virus has a persistence mechanism, such as a scheduled task or registry run key.
Persistence mechanisms allow malware to reinstall itself after removal. The technician must identify and delete these triggers in Task Scheduler, registry, or startup folders.
- C
The user is re-downloading the virus from the same source.
Why wrong: While possible, the scenario states the virus 'keeps reappearing after removal' without user action, pointing to a persistence mechanism rather than user behavior.
- D
The virus is a polymorphic variant that changes its signature.
Why wrong: Polymorphic malware changes code to avoid signature detection, but the technician successfully removed it in Safe Mode, so the issue is not evasion but re-infection.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the virus has a persistence mechanism, such as a scheduled task or registry run key. This is correct because even after removal during a Safe Mode scan, the virus’s persistence mechanism—often a scheduled task created via schtasks.exe or a Run key in HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run—survives the cleanup. When the system reboots normally, these triggers re-execute the malware, causing the virus to keep reappearing after removal. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how malware maintains footholds and why Safe Mode alone isn’t enough; a common trap is assuming the antivirus failed rather than recognizing the persistence layer. A helpful memory tip is “Run and Task” for the two main persistence vectors: Registry Run keys and scheduled tasks.
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 user reports that their Windows 10 PC is infected with a virus that keeps reappearing after removal. The technician boots into Safe Mode, runs a full antivirus scan, and removes the threat. However, after rebooting normally, the virus returns. What is the most likely reason?
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 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
The virus has a persistence mechanism, such as a scheduled task or registry run key.
Option B is correct because the virus likely uses a persistence mechanism such as a scheduled task (via schtasks.exe) or a registry Run key (e.g., HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) to re-infect the system after boot. Safe Mode may bypass some of these mechanisms, but a normal boot re-triggers them, allowing the virus to reinstall itself even after the initial removal.
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 antivirus definitions are outdated.
Why it's wrong here
Outdated definitions could miss the virus, but the technician already removed it in Safe Mode, so the issue is likely persistence, not detection.
- ✓
The virus has a persistence mechanism, such as a scheduled task or registry run key.
Why this is correct
Persistence mechanisms allow malware to reinstall itself after removal. The technician must identify and delete these triggers in Task Scheduler, registry, or startup folders.
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 is re-downloading the virus from the same source.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, the scenario states the virus 'keeps reappearing after removal' without user action, pointing to a persistence mechanism rather than user behavior.
- ✗
The virus is a polymorphic variant that changes its signature.
Why it's wrong here
Polymorphic malware changes code to avoid signature detection, but the technician successfully removed it in Safe Mode, so the issue is not evasion but re-infection.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between detection failure (outdated definitions or polymorphism) and re-infection due to persistence mechanisms, so the trap here is assuming the antivirus failed to detect the virus rather than recognizing that the virus is being re-introduced after removal.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
While possible, the scenario states the virus 'keeps reappearing after removal' without user action, pointing to a persistence mechanism rather than user behavior.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Persistence mechanisms like scheduled tasks (stored in C:\Windows\System32\Tasks) or registry Run keys are executed by the Windows Session Manager (smss.exe) and Service Control Manager (services.exe) during boot. Even if the main executable is deleted, a small stub or script can re-download or recreate the virus from a hidden location, such as the Volume Shadow Copy or a secondary partition. In real-world scenarios, malware like Emotet uses scheduled tasks to re-infect after removal, requiring manual deletion of the task via Task Scheduler or registry editing.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
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: The virus has a persistence mechanism, such as a scheduled task or registry run key. — Option B is correct because the virus likely uses a persistence mechanism such as a scheduled task (via schtasks.exe) or a registry Run key (e.g., HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run) to re-infect the system after boot. Safe Mode may bypass some of these mechanisms, but a normal boot re-triggers them, allowing the virus to reinstall itself even after the initial removal.
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.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their Windows 10 PC is infected with a virus that changes the desktop background to a ransom note. After removing the virus with antivirus software, the desktop background remains unchanged. What should you do to restore the original background?
medium- A.Reinstall the graphics driver.
- B.Run System File Checker (sfc /scannow).
- ✓ C.Check Group Policy settings for desktop wallpaper enforcement and reset them.
- D.Perform a system restore to a point before the infection.
Why C: Option C is correct because the virus likely modified the Group Policy setting that enforces a specific desktop wallpaper. Even after the virus is removed, the Group Policy setting persists and overrides any user attempts to change the background. Resetting the Group Policy wallpaper enforcement restores the user's ability to change the background normally.
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
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.
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