The answer is to boot the device into safe mode and uninstall the side-loaded app. This is correct because persistent pop-up ads appearing even when no browser is open is a classic symptom of adware, a type of malware that displays unwanted advertisements to generate revenue. Since the employee side-loaded a game from an unknown website, that app is the most likely source of the adware. For the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of malware removal best practices and the Android boot process; a common trap is jumping to a factory reset, which is unnecessary and causes data loss when safe mode can isolate and remove the malicious app. Remember the mnemonic “Safe Mode Saves Data” to recall that booting into safe mode disables third-party apps, allowing you to uninstall the adware without wiping the device.
220-1102 Mobile OS and App Troubleshooting Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of mobile os and app troubleshooting. 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 security incident is reported: an employee's company-issued Android phone is displaying persistent pop-up ads, even when no browser is open. The employee admits to side-loading a game from an unknown website. What is the most likely cause and best immediate action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
✓
The side-loaded app is adware; boot into safe mode and uninstall it.
The persistent pop-up ads, even without a browser open, indicate adware behavior typical of malicious apps. Since the employee side-loaded a game from an unknown website, the most likely cause is that the side-loaded app contains adware. Booting into safe mode (which disables third-party apps) and uninstalling the suspicious app is the best immediate action because it removes the adware without data loss, unlike a factory reset.
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 phone has a virus; perform a factory reset immediately.
Why it's wrong here
Factory reset is a last resort; booting into safe mode to uninstall the app is less destructive and should be tried first.
✓
The side-loaded app is adware; boot into safe mode and uninstall it.
Why this is correct
Safe mode disables third-party apps, allowing the user to remove the malicious app without interference.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "best", "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The browser is infected; clear the browser cache and data.
Why it's wrong here
The ads appear even without a browser open, indicating a system-level adware, not a browser issue.
✗
The phone's firmware is compromised; reflash the stock ROM.
Why it's wrong here
This is an extreme measure; adware from side-loading is typically removable without reflashing.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between adware and a general virus, and the trap here is that candidates may jump to a factory reset (Option A) without considering the less destructive safe-mode uninstall, or they may incorrectly attribute the pop-ups to the browser (Option C) when the behavior occurs system-wide.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Adware on Android often uses the SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission to draw overlays on top of other apps, causing pop-ups even when no browser is active. Safe mode on Android disables all third-party applications by preventing them from starting, allowing the user to identify and uninstall the offending app without interference. In a real-world scenario, an enterprise MDM policy might block side-loading entirely, but if adware is installed, safe mode is the first step before considering a factory reset to preserve user data.
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 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.
Mobile OS and App Troubleshooting — This question tests Mobile OS and App Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The side-loaded app is adware; boot into safe mode and uninstall it. — The persistent pop-up ads, even without a browser open, indicate adware behavior typical of malicious apps. Since the employee side-loaded a game from an unknown website, the most likely cause is that the side-loaded app contains adware. Booting into safe mode (which disables third-party apps) and uninstalling the suspicious app is the best immediate action because it removes the adware without data loss, unlike a factory reset.
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: "best", "most likely". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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. An employee's company-issued Android phone is suddenly displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. The employee claims they only downloaded apps from the official Google Play Store. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
medium
A.The phone's firmware is outdated.
✓ B.A recently installed app has been granted 'Draw over other apps' permission.
C.The phone's Wi-Fi network is infected with malware.
D.The phone's screen has a hardware defect causing ghost touches.
Why B: The 'Draw over other apps' permission allows an app to display content on top of other applications, including the home screen and lock screen. This is a common technique used by adware and malicious apps to serve persistent pop-up ads even when no browser is open, as the app can draw its own window outside of the normal app lifecycle. Since the employee only downloaded from Google Play, this permission abuse is the most likely cause, as even Play Store apps can be granted this permission by the user during installation or runtime.
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Question Discussion
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