Question 654 of 750

Browser and Application Security →easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

220-1202 Browser and Application Security Practice Question

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 user reports that their browser frequently redirects to a search page they never set, and they see unfamiliar toolbars. After running a malware scan that found nothing, what should the technician do next to resolve the issue?

Clue words in this question

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

Clue: "never"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.

A
Replace the network cable.
Why wrong: A network cable issue would cause connectivity problems, not browser redirects and toolbars.
B
Reset the browser settings to default.
Resetting the browser removes all add-ons, toolbars, and restores default homepage and search settings, which effectively eliminates browser hijackers.
C
Update the network adapter driver.
Why wrong: An outdated network driver might cause slow internet, but it would not cause browser redirects or add toolbars.
D
Reinstall the operating system.
Why wrong: Reinstalling the OS is an extreme measure; browser hijackers can be removed without a full OS reinstall.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Reset the browser settings to default.

The symptoms—unwanted redirects and unfamiliar toolbars—are classic signs of browser hijacking, often caused by a malicious extension or a changed proxy configuration. Since a malware scan found nothing, the next logical step is to reset the browser settings to default, which removes all extensions, restores the homepage and search engine, and clears cached data that may be enforcing the redirects. This action directly addresses the most common vector for such behavior without resorting to hardware or OS-level changes.

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.

✗
Replace the network cable.
Why it's wrong here
A network cable issue would cause connectivity problems, not browser redirects and toolbars.
✓
Reset the browser settings to default.
Why this is correct
Resetting the browser removes all add-ons, toolbars, and restores default homepage and search settings, which effectively eliminates browser hijackers.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Update the network adapter driver.
Why it's wrong here
An outdated network driver might cause slow internet, but it would not cause browser redirects or add toolbars.
✗
Reinstall the operating system.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the OS is an extreme measure; browser hijackers can be removed without a full OS reinstall.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often jump to reinstalling the OS or scanning for malware again, but CompTIA tests whether you recognize that browser-specific issues are best resolved with browser-level tools before escalating to system-wide repairs.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Browser hijacking often works by modifying the browser's proxy auto-config (PAC) file or by installing a malicious extension that intercepts navigation requests via the chrome.webRequest API (in Chromium-based browsers) or equivalent in Firefox. Resetting the browser clears these modifications, including any Group Policy Objects (GPOs) that may have locked the search engine, and restores the default about:blank or specified homepage. In real-world scenarios, a technician should also check for rogue DNS settings on the machine, as some hijackers alter the system's DNS to point to malicious resolvers.

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.

Visual reference

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?

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: Reset the browser settings to default. — The symptoms—unwanted redirects and unfamiliar toolbars—are classic signs of browser hijacking, often caused by a malicious extension or a changed proxy configuration. Since a malware scan found nothing, the next logical step is to reset the browser settings to default, which removes all extensions, restores the homepage and search engine, and clears cached data that may be enforcing the redirects. This action directly addresses the most common vector for such behavior without resorting to hardware or OS-level changes.

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: "never". Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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