The answer is adware, as the symptoms of popup advertisements appearing without a browser and a fake system process like 'svch0st.exe' consuming 95% CPU are classic indicators of this malware type. Adware is designed to generate revenue by displaying intrusive ads, and it often disguises itself by using misspelled names of legitimate Windows processes—such as replacing the 'o' in 'svchost.exe' with a zero—to evade casual detection. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate adware from other malware like trojans or spyware, with a common trap being to misidentify the high CPU usage as a virus or resource leak. Remember that adware’s primary goal is ad delivery, not data theft or system damage, so removal requires a dedicated anti-malware tool rather than simple process termination. A helpful memory tip: if it’s popping up ads and faking a system name, think “Ad-ware, not a-ware of its disguise.”
220-1102 Malware Types and Removal Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of malware types and removal. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 customer reports that their desktop computer is running extremely slowly, and they see frequent pop-up advertisements even when no browser is open. Task Manager shows a process named 'svch0st.exe' consuming 95% CPU. Which type of malware is most likely causing these symptoms?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Adware
Adware displays unwanted advertisements and often masquerades as legitimate processes. The misspelled 'svch0st.exe' mimics a Windows system process, a common adware tactic. This malware type is best removed using a dedicated anti-malware tool.
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.
✗
Ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment, but does not typically cause pop-up ads or mimic system processes.
✓
Adware
Why this is correct
Adware displays unwanted ads and often runs processes that impersonate legitimate ones, matching the symptoms described.
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.
✗
Rootkit
Why it's wrong here
Rootkits hide deep in the OS to conceal other malware, but they do not directly cause pop-up ads.
✗
Spyware
Why it's wrong here
Spyware steals data silently; while it may slow a system, it rarely generates pop-up ads.
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.
Malware Types and Removal — This question tests Malware Types and Removal — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Adware — Adware displays unwanted advertisements and often masquerades as legitimate processes. The misspelled 'svch0st.exe' mimics a Windows system process, a common adware tactic. This malware type is best removed using a dedicated anti-malware tool.
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.
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 →
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 customer reports that their Windows 10 computer is running very slowly, and they see frequent pop-up ads even when no browser is open. They also notice a new toolbar in their browser that they did not install. What type of malware is most likely causing these symptoms?
easy
A.Ransomware
✓ B.Adware
C.Virus
D.Worm
Why B: Adware displays unwanted advertisements and often installs browser toolbars, slowing down the system. Unlike a virus or worm, adware does not self-replicate, and ransomware would demand payment rather than show ads.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
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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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