- A
Keep WPA-TKIP but enable MAC address filtering to block unauthorized devices.
Why wrong: Incorrect. MAC filtering provides minimal security and does not address the fundamental vulnerability of TKIP.
- B
Upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption.
Correct. WPA2 with AES is secure and supported by almost all devices made after 2006, including most older smartphones.
- C
Change the SSID to something non-descript and disable SSID broadcast.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Hiding the SSID is a weak security measure and does not protect against TKIP attacks.
- D
Switch to WPA3 and set up a separate guest network for older devices.
Why wrong: Incorrect. WPA3 is not supported by older devices; they would not be able to connect at all.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption, as this directly addresses the need to replace WPA-TKIP with WPA2-AES for better security. WPA-TKIP is an outdated protocol with known vulnerabilities, while WPA2-AES provides robust, industry-standard encryption that is backward-compatible with the vast majority of devices. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless security standards and the practical trade-off between security and legacy device support; a common trap is assuming you must keep TKIP for older devices, when in fact most devices claiming “no WPA2 support” actually work with WPA2-PSK. A key memory tip is to think “AES is the best, TKIP is a pest”—always push for AES encryption, and only isolate or replace truly incompatible devices rather than weakening the whole network.
220-1102 Wireless Security Protocols Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. 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.
During a security audit, a technician discovers that a small office's wireless router is still using WPA-TKIP. The office has 20 devices, including some older smartphones that cannot support WPA2. What should the technician recommend to improve security without replacing all devices?
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
Upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption.
WPA-TKIP is vulnerable and should be replaced. The best approach is to upgrade the router to support WPA2 and use WPA2-PSK with AES, which is backward-compatible with most devices. If some devices truly cannot support WPA2, they should be replaced or isolated.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Keep WPA-TKIP but enable MAC address filtering to block unauthorized devices.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. MAC filtering provides minimal security and does not address the fundamental vulnerability of TKIP.
- ✓
Upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption.
- ✗
Change the SSID to something non-descript and disable SSID broadcast.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Hiding the SSID is a weak security measure and does not protect against TKIP attacks.
- ✗
Switch to WPA3 and set up a separate guest network for older devices.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. WPA3 is not supported by older devices; they would not be able to connect at all.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1202 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Wireless Security Protocols — study guide chapter
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Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption. — WPA-TKIP is vulnerable and should be replaced. The best approach is to upgrade the router to support WPA2 and use WPA2-PSK with AES, which is backward-compatible with most devices. If some devices truly cannot support WPA2, they should be replaced or isolated.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related 220-1202 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Last reviewed: Jun 19, 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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