Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A help desk technician reports several workstations are suddenly showing lots of pop-up ads and browser redirects after users installed a free media player. What type of unwanted software is most likely present?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
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Ransomware
Ransomware encrypts or locks data for payment, which is not the behavior described here.
B
Best answer
Adware
Adware commonly causes pop-ups, redirects, and unwanted advertising behavior after installation.
C
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Rootkit
Rootkits hide malicious activity from the operating system and are not defined by ads.
D
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Logic bomb
A logic bomb triggers on a condition or date, rather than causing ad-supported redirects.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Adware — Adware is the best fit because the symptoms are unwanted advertisements, browser redirects, and installation bundled with a free utility. This type of software often arrives as part of another download and changes the user experience rather than encrypting data or hiding itself deeply in the operating system. For Security+, the key clue is repeated ad pop-ups and redirects immediately after installing free software from an untrusted source. Why others are wrong: Ransomware is about extortion through encryption or data locking, not advertising behavior. Rootkits focus on stealth and persistence, hiding malicious activity from detection tools. Logic bombs activate when a trigger event occurs, but the scenario describes ongoing pop-ups and redirects, not a timed or conditional destructive action.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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