- A
Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
Why wrong: SIP does not control user authentication prompts; disabling it reduces system security.
- B
Change the user account type from Standard to Administrator in Users & Groups
Admin accounts can change network settings without re-entering credentials. This is the standard fix, though it broadens privileges.
- C
Use the 'security authorizationdb' command to remove the requirement
Why wrong: Modifying authorization databases is complex, risky, and unsupported for this purpose.
- D
Turn off FileVault
Why wrong: FileVault encryption does not affect authentication prompts for system settings.
Question 46 of 750
How to Stop Admin Password Prompts for Network Settings on macOS
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of macos features and tools. 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 reports that their Mac running macOS Ventura frequently asks for the admin password when trying to change network settings, even though they are the only user. They want this to stop. What is the most secure way to address this?
Quick Answer
The answer is to change the user account type from Standard to Administrator in Users & Groups. This works because macOS enforces a security boundary where only administrator accounts can modify network settings without re-entering credentials; a standard user lacks the necessary authorization token, triggering the admin password prompt. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of macOS user account privileges and the principle of least privilege—a common trap is assuming you can simply disable the prompt via a checkbox or a terminal command, but those options either don’t exist or create a security hole. Remember that granting admin rights is the only secure method to stop the admin password prompt for network settings on macOS, but it also gives full system access, so it should only be used for trusted users. Memory tip: “Admin to avoid the prompt, but think before you grant the mount.”
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
✓
Change the user account type from Standard to Administrator in Users & Groups
Option B is correct because changing the user account type from Standard to Administrator in System Settings > Users & Groups grants the user the necessary privileges to modify network settings without repeated authentication prompts. On macOS Ventura, only administrator accounts can unlock network preferences by default; a standard user is prompted for admin credentials each time. This is the most secure approach because it avoids disabling security features like SIP or FileVault.
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.
- ✗
Disable System Integrity Protection (SIP)
Why it's wrong here
SIP does not control user authentication prompts; disabling it reduces system security.
- ✓
Change the user account type from Standard to Administrator in Users & Groups
Why this is correct
Admin accounts can change network settings without re-entering credentials. This is the standard fix, though it broadens privileges.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use the 'security authorizationdb' command to remove the requirement
Why it's wrong here
Modifying authorization databases is complex, risky, and unsupported for this purpose.
- ✗
Turn off FileVault
Why it's wrong here
FileVault encryption does not affect authentication prompts for system settings.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that disabling a security feature like SIP or FileVault is a valid shortcut to stop password prompts, when the correct approach is to adjust user account privileges within the existing security framework.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, macOS uses the Authorization Services framework (via the 'authorizationdb' database) to control access to privileged operations like modifying network settings. Each preference pane has a right (e.g., 'system.preferences.network') that defaults to requiring an admin user to authenticate. When a standard user attempts to change network settings, the system prompts for an admin name and password because the right's rule is set to 'authenticate-session-owner-or-admin'. Changing the account to Administrator makes the user the session owner, so the right evaluates without a prompt. In a real-world scenario, a small business with a single Mac used by one person should create an admin account for that user rather than weakening system-wide authorization rules.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
macOS Features and Tools — This question tests macOS Features and Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Change the user account type from Standard to Administrator in Users & Groups — Option B is correct because changing the user account type from Standard to Administrator in System Settings > Users & Groups grants the user the necessary privileges to modify network settings without repeated authentication prompts. On macOS Ventura, only administrator accounts can unlock network preferences by default; a standard user is prompted for admin credentials each time. This is the most secure approach because it avoids disabling security features like SIP or FileVault.
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
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