The answer is Event Viewer, the built-in Windows tool for reviewing security logs to investigate incidents like unauthorized access. Event Viewer is the correct choice because it provides a centralized, detailed record of security-related events, including logon attempts (Event ID 4624 for successful logons, 4625 for failed logons) and file access audits (Event ID 4663), which are essential for forensic analysis to determine the scope of a breach. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to identify the appropriate tool for incident response and log analysis, often presenting Event Viewer as the straightforward answer while traps might suggest Task Manager or Resource Monitor, which lack security-specific event filtering. A common memory tip is to think of Event Viewer as the "security diary" of Windows—if you need to review security logs, you always open Event Viewer, not Performance Monitor. Remember the mnemonic "EV for EVidence" to link Event Viewer directly to forensic log review.
220-1102 Windows OS Features and Tools Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of windows os features and tools. 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 occurred on a Windows 10 workstation where an unauthorized user gained access. The technician needs to review detailed security events, such as logon attempts and file access, to determine the scope of the breach. Which tool should the technician use to examine these logs?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Event Viewer
Event Viewer is the correct tool because it provides a centralized, detailed log of security-related events, including logon attempts (Event ID 4624 for successful logons, 4625 for failed logons) and file access audits (Event ID 4663). These logs are essential for forensic analysis to determine the scope of a breach on a Windows 10 workstation.
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.
✓
Event Viewer
Why this is correct
Event Viewer's Windows Logs > Security section contains detailed records of security-related events, such as logon successes and failures.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Resource Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Resource Monitor shows real-time system resource usage, not historical security event logs.
✗
Performance Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Performance Monitor is used for tracking performance counters and creating data collector sets, not for security auditing.
✗
Local Security Policy
Why it's wrong here
Local Security Policy is used to configure audit policies and user rights, but it does not display the logged events themselves.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between tools that configure security settings (Local Security Policy) versus tools that review logged events (Event Viewer), leading candidates to confuse policy configuration with log review.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Resource Monitor shows real-time system resource usage, not historical security event logs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Event Viewer stores logs in .evtx files under %SystemRoot%\System32\winevt\Logs, with the Security log specifically containing audit events. For file access auditing, the technician must first enable Object Access auditing via Local Security Policy or Group Policy, and then configure the SACL on the specific file or folder; Event Viewer then captures the resulting events. In a real-world breach investigation, correlating logon events (4624/4625) with file access events (4663) can reveal lateral movement or data exfiltration patterns.
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.
Windows OS Features and Tools — This question tests Windows OS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Event Viewer — Event Viewer is the correct tool because it provides a centralized, detailed log of security-related events, including logon attempts (Event ID 4624 for successful logons, 4625 for failed logons) and file access audits (Event ID 4663). These logs are essential for forensic analysis to determine the scope of a breach on a Windows 10 workstation.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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