- A
Configure each browser's proxy settings to use a filtering proxy server.
Why wrong: While effective, this requires configuration on each client, which is not 'without installing client software' and is more complex to manage.
- B
Enable Windows Defender SmartScreen on each computer via Group Policy.
Why wrong: SmartScreen is a client-side feature that requires enabling on each machine, not a network-level solution.
- C
Implement a DNS-based content filtering service on the network's DNS server.
DNS filtering blocks requests to malicious domains at the network level, affecting all devices without client software.
- D
Install a third-party browser extension on all browsers to block malicious sites.
Why wrong: This would require installing software (extensions) on each browser, which violates the 'without installing client software' requirement.
DNS Content Filtering: Block Malicious Sites
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of browser and application security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 company policy requires that all web traffic from employee computers be filtered to block known malicious sites. You need to implement this without installing client software on each machine. Which approach should you use?
Quick Answer
The answer is to implement a DNS-based content filtering service on the network’s DNS server. This approach works because DNS content filtering blocks malicious sites by resolving dangerous domain names to a blocked page or null IP address before any connection is made, effectively filtering all web traffic at the network level without requiring client software on each machine. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this tests your understanding of network-based security controls versus host-based solutions; a common trap is choosing a proxy or firewall rule that still requires per-machine configuration. Remember that DNS filtering is lightweight, scalable, and invisible to the end user—perfect for policy-driven environments. Memory tip: “DNS blocks before the box connects”—the filter happens at the resolver, not the endpoint.
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
Implement a DNS-based content filtering service on the network's DNS server.
Option C is correct because DNS-based content filtering operates at the network level, blocking resolution of domains known to host malicious content. This approach requires no client software, as all DNS queries from employee computers are intercepted and filtered by the network's DNS server, enforcing the policy transparently.
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.
- ✗
Configure each browser's proxy settings to use a filtering proxy server.
Why it's wrong here
While effective, this requires configuration on each client, which is not 'without installing client software' and is more complex to manage.
- ✗
Enable Windows Defender SmartScreen on each computer via Group Policy.
Why it's wrong here
SmartScreen is a client-side feature that requires enabling on each machine, not a network-level solution.
- ✓
Implement a DNS-based content filtering service on the network's DNS server.
Why this is correct
DNS filtering blocks requests to malicious domains at the network level, affecting all devices without client software.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Install a third-party browser extension on all browsers to block malicious sites.
Why it's wrong here
This would require installing software (extensions) on each browser, which violates the 'without installing client software' requirement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the distinction between client-side and network-level security controls, and the trap here is assuming that proxy settings or browser extensions are acceptable when the question explicitly prohibits installing client software.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DNS-based filtering works by configuring the network's DNS resolver (e.g., BIND, Windows Server DNS) to use a filtering upstream provider like Cisco Umbrella or Cloudflare Gateway, which maintains real-time threat intelligence feeds. When a user requests a malicious domain, the DNS server returns a sinkhole IP (e.g., 0.0.0.0 or a block page) instead of the real address, effectively blocking the connection at the protocol level before any HTTP traffic occurs.
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
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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: Implement a DNS-based content filtering service on the network's DNS server. — Option C is correct because DNS-based content filtering operates at the network level, blocking resolution of domains known to host malicious content. This approach requires no client software, as all DNS queries from employee computers are intercepted and filtered by the network's DNS server, enforcing the policy transparently.
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
This 220-1202 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1202 exam.
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