FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
A user is concerned about connecting to a public Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop. Which security measure can best protect their data?
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
✓
Use a VPN
A VPN encrypts traffic between the user's device and the VPN server, protecting data on public networks.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use HTTPS websites only
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS encrypts only the browser-to-server session, leaving other traffic on the open network readable. It is tempting because it protects credentials on any site, but a VPN encrypting the whole connection is required to shield all data from local eavesdroppers.
- ✗
Use a firewall
Why it's wrong here
A host firewall filters inbound and outbound traffic on the device itself; it cannot encrypt traffic crossing the coffee shop's unsecured wireless medium. Firewalls are the right control for blocking unauthorised ports and services on trusted networks, not for confidentiality over public Wi-Fi.
- ✗
Disable antivirus
Why it's wrong here
Disabling antivirus removes malware protection entirely, worsening exposure on an untrusted network. Antivirus is legitimately disabled only during controlled troubleshooting of false positives, never as a security measure; a VPN is what encrypts traffic against interception.
- ✓
Use a VPN
Why this is correct
A VPN encrypts all traffic between the user's device and the VPN server, creating a protected tunnel that prevents attackers on the public Wi-Fi network from intercepting credentials, messages, or browsing data. This directly satisfies the coffee-shop scenario's constraint: untrusted network traffic requiring confidentiality against local eavesdropping.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.