- A
Install a self-signed SSL certificate on the server.
Why wrong: A self-signed certificate would still require the application to support HTTPS, which it does not.
- B
Use a VPN to access the internal network.
A VPN encrypts all traffic between the remote user and the network, securing the legacy HTTP traffic without changing the app.
- C
Enable HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) on the server.
Why wrong: HSTS only works with HTTPS and forces browsers to use HTTPS; it does not add encryption to HTTP.
- D
Configure the browser to use a proxy server.
Why wrong: A proxy server does not encrypt traffic between the client and the proxy; it only relays requests.
Question 526 of 750
How to Secure Legacy HTTP Traffic Using a VPN
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of browser and application security. 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 tasked with securing a legacy web application that only supports HTTP, not HTTPS. The application is critical for internal operations but must be accessible remotely. What is the best way to secure the traffic without modifying the application?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Quick Answer
The best way to secure legacy HTTP traffic without modifying the application is to use a VPN to access the internal network. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the remote user and the corporate network, wrapping all data—including the unencrypted HTTP traffic from the legacy app—inside a secure envelope, so even though the application itself sends plaintext, the tunnel protects it from interception over the internet. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding that VPNs solve the problem of insecure protocols without requiring application changes, while a common trap is suggesting SSL/TLS termination, which demands a reverse proxy and configuration changes. Remember the key distinction: VPNs secure the path, not the payload. For a memory tip, think “VPN wraps the HTTP in a secure envelope”—the app stays the same, but the tunnel keeps it safe.
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 access the internal network.
Option B is correct because a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the remote user and the internal network, securing all HTTP traffic without any modification to the legacy application. Since the application only supports HTTP, it cannot serve HTTPS natively, and a VPN provides transport-layer encryption (e.g., IPsec or TLS-based VPN) that protects data in transit over untrusted networks.
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.
- ✗
Install a self-signed SSL certificate on the server.
Why it's wrong here
A self-signed certificate would still require the application to support HTTPS, which it does not.
- ✓
Use a VPN to access the internal network.
- ✗
Enable HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) on the server.
Why it's wrong here
HSTS only works with HTTPS and forces browsers to use HTTPS; it does not add encryption to HTTP.
- ✗
Configure the browser to use a proxy server.
Why it's wrong here
A proxy server does not encrypt traffic between the client and the proxy; it only relays requests.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that installing a certificate or enabling a security header can magically convert an HTTP-only application to HTTPS, when in fact the application must natively support TLS termination to use those features.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A VPN operates at the network or transport layer (e.g., IPsec in tunnel mode or OpenVPN using TLS), encapsulating entire IP packets or TCP segments within an encrypted payload. This ensures that even if the application sends plaintext HTTP, the data is encrypted before leaving the client and decrypted only after entering the trusted internal network, effectively bypassing the application's lack of HTTPS support. In real-world scenarios, organizations often deploy a VPN concentrator at the network edge and require remote users to authenticate before accessing internal resources, which also provides access control and auditing.
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.
Quick reference
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Port | Encryption | Authentication | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IKEv2 / IPsec | UDP 500 / 4500 | AES-256 | Certificates / PSK | Site-to-site & remote access |
| SSL / TLS VPN | TCP 443 | TLS 1.3 | Certificates / MFA | Clientless remote access |
| L2TP / IPsec | UDP 1701 | AES (IPsec) | PSK / Certificates | Legacy remote access |
| WireGuard | UDP 51820 | ChaCha20 | Public keys | Modern high-performance VPN |
| PPTP | TCP 1723 | MPPE (weak) | MS-CHAPv2 | Legacy — avoid in production |
PPTP is considered insecure. IKEv2/IPsec and SSL VPN are the current recommended options.
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.
- →
Browser and Application Security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Browser and Application Security 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?
Browser and Application Security — This question tests Browser and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use a VPN to access the internal network. — Option B is correct because a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the remote user and the internal network, securing all HTTP traffic without any modification to the legacy application. Since the application only supports HTTP, it cannot serve HTTPS natively, and a VPN provides transport-layer encryption (e.g., IPsec or TLS-based VPN) that protects data in transit over untrusted networks.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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.