Question 366 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 web browser frequently redirects to an unfamiliar search engine and displays pop-up ads even when no tabs are open. What is the most likely cause of this behavior?

Clue words in this question

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

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

A
The browser needs to be updated to the latest version.
Why wrong: While outdated browsers can have security issues, they do not typically cause redirects and pop-ups on their own; this is more indicative of malware.
B
The user has accidentally enabled a malicious browser extension.
A malicious extension can hijack browser settings, redirect searches, and inject ads. This is a common vector for browser hijackers.
C
The internet connection is unstable and causing DNS errors.
Why wrong: DNS errors can cause redirects, but they do not produce pop-up ads when no tabs are open.
D
The browser cache is full and needs to be cleared.
Why wrong: Clearing the cache can resolve display issues but will not stop a hijacker from redirecting or generating pop-ups.

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

✓

The user has accidentally enabled a malicious browser extension.

The described behavior—unwanted redirects to an unfamiliar search engine and pop-up ads appearing even with no tabs open—is a classic symptom of adware or a malicious browser extension. Such extensions hijack browser settings, inject ads, and redirect search queries without the user's consent. Unlike a simple update or cache issue, this requires a malicious add-on that has been granted permissions to modify web content and navigation.

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.

✗
The browser needs to be updated to the latest version.
Why it's wrong here
While outdated browsers can have security issues, they do not typically cause redirects and pop-ups on their own; this is more indicative of malware.
✓
The user has accidentally enabled a malicious browser extension.
Why this is correct
A malicious extension can hijack browser settings, redirect searches, and inject ads. This is a common vector for browser hijackers.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The internet connection is unstable and causing DNS errors.
Why it's wrong here
DNS errors can cause redirects, but they do not produce pop-up ads when no tabs are open.
✗
The browser cache is full and needs to be cleared.
Why it's wrong here
Clearing the cache can resolve display issues but will not stop a hijacker from redirecting or generating pop-ups.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA often tests the misconception that browser issues are always caused by outdated software or cache problems, when in fact malicious extensions are a common source of persistent adware behavior that updates and cache clearing cannot fix.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Malicious browser extensions often abuse the `webRequest` or `content_scripts` APIs to intercept navigation and inject HTML/JavaScript into every page. They may also modify the browser's default search provider via the `chrome_settings_overrides` manifest key (in Chromium-based browsers) or by altering the `browser.search.defaultenginename` preference in Firefox. In a real-world scenario, a user might have installed a 'free VPN' or 'coupon finder' extension that silently changes the new tab page to a search engine that generates ad revenue for the attacker.

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?

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: The user has accidentally enabled a malicious browser extension. — The described behavior—unwanted redirects to an unfamiliar search engine and pop-up ads appearing even with no tabs open—is a classic symptom of adware or a malicious browser extension. Such extensions hijack browser settings, inject ads, and redirect search queries without the user's consent. Unlike a simple update or cache issue, this requires a malicious add-on that has been granted permissions to modify web content and navigation.

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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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