FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
An employee is working from a coffee shop and needs to access company files. Which of the following is the most secure method?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests the misconception that HTTPS alone is sufficient for secure remote access — candidates must recognize that a VPN is required to encrypt all traffic and access internal resources securely.
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 to encrypt all traffic between the laptop and the company
A VPN encrypts all traffic between the laptop and the company network, protecting data from eavesdropping on the untrusted public Wi-Fi. This ensures that even if the coffee shop's network is compromised, the employee's files and credentials remain secure. It is the most secure method because it provides end-to-end encryption and authenticated access to company resources.
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 a VPN to encrypt all traffic between the laptop and the company
Why this is correct
A VPN builds an encrypted tunnel between the laptop and the company network, so credentials and files stay unreadable across the untrusted coffee-shop Wi-Fi. This satisfies the secure-access constraint, whereas plain HTTPS or public hotspots leave traffic exposed to interception.
- ✗
Connect directly to the company's network over the public Wi-Fi
Why it's wrong here
Joining the corporate network directly over untrusted public Wi-Fi exposes credentials and traffic to interception by other patrons; the connection itself is unencrypted. Direct network attachment suits a managed office LAN, whereas remote access requires an encrypted tunnel such as a VPN before any file transfer.
- ✗
Disable file sharing on the laptop
Why it's wrong here
Disabling file sharing only stops inbound connections to the laptop's own shares; it does nothing to protect the outbound session carrying company files across the coffee shop network. This setting belongs in a hardening baseline for untrusted networks, not as the mechanism securing remote file access.
- ✗
Use HTTPS websites only
Why it's wrong here
HTTPS encrypts only browser traffic to web servers; it cannot secure SMB or other file-access protocols, and it does not authenticate the user to the corporate network. Restricting browsing to HTTPS is a sensible general hygiene measure, but the scenario requires an encrypted tunnel for file access.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on FC0-U71
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 user is concerned about connecting to a public Wi-Fi network at a coffee shop. Which security measure can best protect their data?
medium- A.Use HTTPS websites only
- B.Use a firewall
- C.Disable antivirus
- ✓ D.Use a VPN
Why D: A VPN encrypts traffic between the user's device and the VPN server, protecting data on public networks.
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.