- A
WPA2-PSK with a longer passphrase.
Why wrong: A longer passphrase makes cracking harder but does not prevent handshake capture and offline attacks.
- B
WPA3-SAE.
WPA3-SAE uses SAE, which is resistant to offline dictionary attacks, even if the handshake is captured.
- C
WPA2-Enterprise with PEAP-MSCHAPv2.
Why wrong: While more secure, PEAP-MSCHAPv2 can still be vulnerable to credential harvesting if not properly configured.
- D
WPA2-PSK with TKIP.
Why wrong: TKIP is even less secure and also vulnerable to handshake capture attacks.
Question 497 of 750
220-1202 Wireless Security Protocols Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. 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 occurs where an attacker captures the 4-way handshake of a WPA2-PSK network and successfully cracks the passphrase offline. The technician is tasked with preventing this type of attack in the future. Which protocol should the technician implement?
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
✓
WPA3-SAE.
WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) replaces the pre-shared key (PSK) model with a password-authenticated key exchange that is resistant to offline dictionary attacks. Unlike WPA2-PSK, which transmits a hash of the password in the 4-way handshake that can be captured and cracked offline, SAE uses a zero-knowledge proof protocol that prevents an attacker from deriving the password from captured handshake data, even if they have the full handshake.
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.
- ✗
WPA2-PSK with a longer passphrase.
Why it's wrong here
A longer passphrase makes cracking harder but does not prevent handshake capture and offline attacks.
- ✓
WPA3-SAE.
Why this is correct
WPA3-SAE uses SAE, which is resistant to offline dictionary attacks, even if the handshake is captured.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
WPA2-Enterprise with PEAP-MSCHAPv2.
Why it's wrong here
While more secure, PEAP-MSCHAPv2 can still be vulnerable to credential harvesting if not properly configured.
- ✗
WPA2-PSK with TKIP.
Why it's wrong here
TKIP is even less secure and also vulnerable to handshake capture attacks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that simply increasing passphrase length or switching to enterprise authentication prevents offline cracking of the 4-way handshake, when in fact only a protocol change to SAE (WPA3) eliminates the offline dictionary attack vector.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
A longer passphrase makes cracking harder but does not prevent handshake capture and offline attacks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
WPA3-SAE uses the Dragonfly key exchange (RFC 7664), which employs a password-authenticated key agreement based on finite field cryptography or elliptic curves. During the handshake, both parties prove knowledge of the password without ever transmitting a verifiable hash of it, making offline brute-force attacks computationally infeasible even if the entire handshake is captured. In real-world deployments, WPA3 also introduces Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) for open networks and a 192-bit security suite for enterprise environments.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Wireless Security Protocols — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1202 questions
750 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1202 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1202 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Windows OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows OS Features and Tools.
Windows Settings and Control Panel practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Settings and Control Panel.
Windows Command-Line Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Command-Line Tools.
Windows Administrative Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Windows Administrative Tools.
macOS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to macOS Features and Tools.
Linux Commands and File Permissions practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Linux Commands and File Permissions.
Mobile OS Features and Tools practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Mobile OS Features and Tools.
Virtualization and Cloud Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Virtualization and Cloud Technologies.
Physical Security Controls practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Physical Security Controls.
Logical Security Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Logical Security Concepts.
Wireless Security Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Wireless Security Protocols.
Malware Types and Removal practice questions
Practise 220-1202 questions linked to Malware Types and Removal.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1202 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: WPA3-SAE. — WPA3-SAE (Simultaneous Authentication of Equals) replaces the pre-shared key (PSK) model with a password-authenticated key exchange that is resistant to offline dictionary attacks. Unlike WPA2-PSK, which transmits a hash of the password in the 4-way handshake that can be captured and cracked offline, SAE uses a zero-knowledge proof protocol that prevents an attacker from deriving the password from captured handshake data, even if they have the full handshake.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More 220-1202 practice questions
- During a Windows 10 deployment, you need to ensure that a specific Group Policy setting is applied to a computer before…
- After installing a new printer driver, a user's Windows 11 computer crashes with a blue screen error every time they try…
- A user reports that their Windows 10 computer is infected with a virus that keeps reinstalling itself after removal. Wha…
- A customer reports that their Windows 10 laptop is displaying pop-up ads even when no browser is open. They suspect a ma…
- A technician is configuring a new Windows 10 workstation for a user who handles sensitive financial data. The company po…
- A technician is responding to a security incident where an employee's credentials were used to access a server without a…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.