Question 282 of 750

Social Engineering Attacks →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Tech Support Scam: Malware Installed via Remote Access

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of social engineering attacks. 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 troubleshooting a user's slow computer. The user mentions they received a call from 'Windows Support' saying their computer had a virus. The user gave the caller remote access to 'fix' it. Now, the computer is running slower and has strange pop-ups. What is the most likely consequence of this social engineering attack?

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 computer is now part of a botnet used for DDoS attacks.
Why wrong: While possible, this is not the most immediate or likely consequence. The symptoms (pop-ups, slowness) suggest a more direct malware infection.
B
The attacker installed a keylogger to steal credentials and sensitive data.
A keylogger is a common payload in tech support scams. The attacker can capture passwords, banking info, and other sensitive data, leading to identity theft or financial loss.
C
The computer's BIOS has been corrupted.
Why wrong: BIOS corruption is rare from remote access attacks. The symptoms are more consistent with software-level malware.
D
The hard drive has been physically damaged.
Why wrong: Physical damage is unlikely from a remote access attack. The issues are software-related.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is that the attacker most likely installed a keylogger to steal credentials and sensitive data. This is the correct consequence because granting remote access to a scammer allows them to bypass all security controls and directly install malware, such as a keylogger, which records keystrokes to capture passwords, banking details, and personal information. The slow performance and pop-ups are classic symptoms of an active malware infection, confirming that the system has been compromised. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of social engineering and the consequences of tech support scam remote access, often appearing as a multiple-choice trap where students might mistakenly choose “ransomware” or “adware” instead of the more specific and stealthy keylogger. A common memory tip is to think of the acronym K.I.S.S. — Keyloggers Install Stealthy Spyware — reminding you that the primary goal of these scams is credential theft, not just system disruption.

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 attacker installed a keylogger to steal credentials and sensitive data.

The attacker gained remote access to the user's computer under the guise of tech support. Once in, they installed a keylogger to capture keystrokes, which is a common payload in such social engineering attacks. This allows the attacker to steal credentials, banking information, and other sensitive data, explaining the continued slow performance and pop-ups.

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 computer is now part of a botnet used for DDoS attacks.
Why it's wrong here
While possible, this is not the most immediate or likely consequence. The symptoms (pop-ups, slowness) suggest a more direct malware infection.
✓
The attacker installed a keylogger to steal credentials and sensitive data.
Why this is correct
A keylogger is a common payload in tech support scams. The attacker can capture passwords, banking info, and other sensitive data, leading to identity theft or financial loss.
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 computer's BIOS has been corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
BIOS corruption is rare from remote access attacks. The symptoms are more consistent with software-level malware.
✗
The hard drive has been physically damaged.
Why it's wrong here
Physical damage is unlikely from a remote access attack. The issues are software-related.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between generic malware effects (like botnet membership) and the specific, high-value goal of credential theft in social engineering scenarios, leading candidates to choose a broader but less precise answer.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

Keyloggers can be user-mode (hooking Windows API functions like GetAsyncKeyState or SetWindowsHookEx) or kernel-mode (intercepting keyboard IRPs). In a tech support scam, the attacker often uses a remote administration tool like TeamViewer or AnyDesk to install the keylogger manually, then disconnects, leaving the keylogger to exfiltrate data via HTTP POST requests or DNS tunneling. The pop-ups are often scareware designed to keep the user engaged while the keylogger captures credentials.

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?

Social Engineering Attacks — This question tests Social Engineering Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The attacker installed a keylogger to steal credentials and sensitive data. — The attacker gained remote access to the user's computer under the guise of tech support. Once in, they installed a keylogger to capture keystrokes, which is a common payload in such social engineering attacks. This allows the attacker to steal credentials, banking information, and other sensitive data, explaining the continued slow performance and pop-ups.

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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