Question 539 of 750

PC Security Issue Remediation →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Containing Ransomware: Immediate Network Disconnection

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of pc security issue remediation. 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 user calls the help desk because their workstation is running very slowly and they notice unusual network activity. You suspect ransomware. What should you do first to contain the threat?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

A
Run a full antivirus scan on the affected workstation.
Why wrong: Running a scan without isolating the system first could allow the ransomware to continue encrypting files and communicating with its command server.
B
Disconnect the workstation from the network immediately.
Disconnecting the network cable or disabling the wireless adapter stops the ransomware from spreading and communicating externally, containing the incident.
C
Back up all files to an external drive before taking action.
Why wrong: Backing up during an active ransomware infection could result in backing up encrypted files, and the ransomware may also infect the external drive.
D
Restart the computer and boot into Safe Mode.
Why wrong: While Safe Mode is useful later, the first step must be to disconnect from the network to prevent further spread.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The correct first step is to disconnect the workstation from the network immediately. This action is critical because ransomware often spreads laterally across a network, encrypting files on connected drives and servers; isolating the machine cuts off its ability to communicate with other systems, containing the threat before it can propagate. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of incident response procedures, specifically the priority of containment over eradication or recovery. A common trap is to first run an antivirus scan or shut down the computer, but scanning can trigger further encryption, and shutdown may destroy volatile evidence. Remember the memory tip: “Cut the cord before you record”—disconnect the network cable before documenting or analyzing the infection.

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

✓

Disconnect the workstation from the network immediately.

Disconnecting the workstation from the network immediately is the correct first step because ransomware often uses network propagation mechanisms (e.g., SMB, RDP) to encrypt shared drives and spread to other systems. By isolating the machine at the physical or logical layer, you prevent lateral movement and further encryption of network resources, which is the primary containment priority in a suspected ransomware incident.

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.

✗
Run a full antivirus scan on the affected workstation.
Why it's wrong here
Running a scan without isolating the system first could allow the ransomware to continue encrypting files and communicating with its command server.
✓
Disconnect the workstation from the network immediately.
Why this is correct
Disconnecting the network cable or disabling the wireless adapter stops the ransomware from spreading and communicating externally, containing the incident.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Back up all files to an external drive before taking action.
Why it's wrong here
Backing up during an active ransomware infection could result in backing up encrypted files, and the ransomware may also infect the external drive.
✗
Restart the computer and boot into Safe Mode.
Why it's wrong here
While Safe Mode is useful later, the first step must be to disconnect from the network to prevent further spread.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA A+ emphasizes that containment (isolation) must precede remediation (scanning, backup, or boot changes) in incident response. The trap here is that candidates mistakenly choose a reactive remediation step like running a scan or backing up files, which can worsen the spread or data loss.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
Running a scan without isolating the system first could allow the ransomware to continue encrypting files and communicating with its command server.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Ransomware like WannaCry uses the EternalBlue exploit (MS17-010) over SMBv1 to spread laterally without user interaction, so physical disconnection (unplugging the Ethernet cable or disabling the Wi-Fi adapter) is the only guaranteed way to stop that propagation at Layer 1/2. Even if the ransomware is not actively spreading, many variants maintain C2 (command-and-control) channels over HTTPS or DNS tunneling to receive encryption keys or exfiltrate data, so network isolation also disrupts those outbound connections.

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.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

PC Security Issue Remediation — This question tests PC Security Issue Remediation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Disconnect the workstation from the network immediately. — Disconnecting the workstation from the network immediately is the correct first step because ransomware often uses network propagation mechanisms (e.g., SMB, RDP) to encrypt shared drives and spread to other systems. By isolating the machine at the physical or logical layer, you prevent lateral movement and further encryption of network resources, which is the primary containment priority in a suspected ransomware incident.

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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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