- A
Perform a clean installation of Windows.
Why wrong: Reinstalling Windows is a last resort; a boot-time scan should be attempted first.
- B
Boot from a rescue disk and run a malware scan.
A rescue disk boots a trusted OS, bypassing the rootkit and enabling effective removal.
- C
Disable System Restore and run the antivirus again.
Why wrong: Disabling System Restore helps but does not address rootkit persistence.
- D
Run the antivirus in Safe Mode.
Why wrong: Some rootkits can still load in Safe Mode; a rescue disk is more reliable.
Question 525 of 750
Rootkit: Removal Using a Rescue Disk
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of malware types and removal. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 technician is cleaning a computer that has been infected with a rootkit. After running a standard antivirus scan, the malware is still detected on reboot. Which step should the technician take next to ensure complete removal?
Quick Answer
The correct next step is to boot from a rescue disk and run a malware scan. This is necessary because a rootkit loads before the operating system, allowing it to intercept system calls and hide its processes from standard antivirus tools running within the infected OS. By booting from a rescue disk—such as a bootable USB with anti-malware software—you load a clean, trusted operating environment that bypasses the rootkit entirely, enabling the scanner to detect and remove the malware without interference. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of rootkit behavior and the limitations of standard scans; a common trap is suggesting a safe mode boot, but rootkits can still hide there since the same compromised OS loads. Remember the memory tip: “Rootkits ride the OS, so boot before they boot.”
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
✓
Boot from a rescue disk and run a malware scan.
Rootkits are designed to hide from the operating system and standard antivirus tools by intercepting system calls and loading before the OS security components. Booting from a rescue disk (e.g., a Linux live CD or a dedicated antivirus rescue ISO) bypasses the infected OS entirely, allowing the scanner to access the file system without the rootkit actively masking its presence. This ensures the malware cannot interfere with the scan, enabling complete detection and removal.
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.
- ✗
Perform a clean installation of Windows.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling Windows is a last resort; a boot-time scan should be attempted first.
- ✓
Boot from a rescue disk and run a malware scan.
Why this is correct
A rescue disk boots a trusted OS, bypassing the rootkit and enabling effective removal.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable System Restore and run the antivirus again.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling System Restore helps but does not address rootkit persistence.
- ✗
Run the antivirus in Safe Mode.
Why it's wrong here
Some rootkits can still load in Safe Mode; a rescue disk is more reliable.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume Safe Mode provides a clean environment for malware removal, but rootkits specifically target kernel-level persistence that persists even in Safe Mode, making a boot-time rescue disk the only reliable method.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Rootkits often use kernel-mode drivers to hook system service dispatch tables (SSDTs) or filter driver stacks, making them invisible to user-mode processes like antivirus scanners. A rescue disk typically runs a minimal OS (e.g., Linux) that does not load the infected Windows kernel, so the rootkit's hooks are never activated, and the scanner can read raw disk sectors to identify malicious files. In real-world scenarios, advanced rootkits like TDL4 or Alureon have been known to survive Safe Mode scans but were successfully removed using boot-time rescue 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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Malware Types and Removal — This question tests Malware Types and Removal — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Boot from a rescue disk and run a malware scan. — Rootkits are designed to hide from the operating system and standard antivirus tools by intercepting system calls and loading before the OS security components. Booting from a rescue disk (e.g., a Linux live CD or a dedicated antivirus rescue ISO) bypasses the infected OS entirely, allowing the scanner to access the file system without the rootkit actively masking its presence. This ensures the malware cannot interfere with the scan, enabling complete detection and removal.
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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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.
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