- A
Trojan horse
Why wrong: A Trojan disguises itself as legitimate software but does not necessarily record keystrokes; it may give remote access.
- B
Worm
Why wrong: A worm self-replicates across networks, but it does not typically record keystrokes or send data to a server.
- C
Keylogger
A keylogger specifically records keystrokes and sends them to an attacker, exactly as described.
- D
Ransomware
Why wrong: Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment; it does not record keystrokes or exfiltrate data.
Question 171 of 750
Keylogger: Identification and Removal
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of malware types and removal. 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.
During a routine security audit, a technician discovers that a user's workstation has a program that records keystrokes and periodically sends the data to an external server. The user denies installing any software recently. Which type of malware is this?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is keylogger, a specific type of spyware designed to record every keystroke made on a workstation and transmit that data to an external server. This matches the scenario exactly because keyloggers operate stealthily, often without the user’s knowledge or consent, capturing sensitive information like passwords and credit card numbers. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to differentiate between broad malware categories and their specific variants—spyware is the umbrella term, but keylogger is the precise malware described when keystroke recording and data exfiltration are involved. A common trap is choosing “spyware” without narrowing it down, so remember that the exam rewards specificity when the symptoms point to a distinct subtype. Memory tip: think “keys” for keystrokes and “logger” for recording—if it logs your keys, it’s a keylogger.
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
✓
Keylogger
The program described records keystrokes and exfiltrates them to an external server, which is the defining behavior of a keylogger. This type of malware captures user input, such as usernames and passwords, and sends the data to an attacker. The user's denial of installing software suggests the keylogger may have been delivered stealthily, often via a Trojan horse or drive-by download, but the core functionality is keylogging.
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.
- ✗
Trojan horse
Why it's wrong here
A Trojan disguises itself as legitimate software but does not necessarily record keystrokes; it may give remote access.
- ✗
Worm
Why it's wrong here
A worm self-replicates across networks, but it does not typically record keystrokes or send data to a server.
- ✓
Keylogger
Why this is correct
A keylogger specifically records keystrokes and sends them to an attacker, exactly as described.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware encrypts files and demands payment; it does not record keystrokes or exfiltrate data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the delivery method (e.g., a Trojan horse) with the malware's primary function, but the question focuses on the observed behavior (keystroke recording and data exfiltration), which directly identifies it as a keylogger, not the method of installation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Keyloggers can be implemented as software (e.g., hooking into the Windows keyboard event chain via SetWindowsHookEx) or hardware (e.g., a physical device inserted between the keyboard and USB port). In a real-world scenario, a keylogger might be part of a banking Trojan like Zeus, which captures credentials for financial fraud, and can evade detection by using encrypted communication channels (e.g., HTTPS) to exfiltrate data to a command-and-control server.
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.
Quick reference
Common DNS Record Types
| Record | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | IPv4 address mapping | example.com → 93.184.216.34 |
| AAAA | IPv6 address mapping | example.com → 2606:2800::1 |
| CNAME | Alias to another hostname | www → example.com |
| MX | Mail server for domain | example.com → mail.example.com (priority 10) |
| TXT | Text data (SPF, DKIM, verification) | v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all |
| NS | Authoritative name servers | example.com NS ns1.example.com |
| PTR | Reverse DNS (IP → hostname) | 34.216.184.93.in-addr.arpa → example.com |
| SOA | Zone authority record | Primary NS, admin email, serial, TTL defaults |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Malware Types and Removal — This question tests Malware Types and Removal — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Keylogger — The program described records keystrokes and exfiltrates them to an external server, which is the defining behavior of a keylogger. This type of malware captures user input, such as usernames and passwords, and sends the data to an attacker. The user's denial of installing software suggests the keylogger may have been delivered stealthily, often via a Trojan horse or drive-by download, but the core functionality is keylogging.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. During a routine security audit, a technician finds that a user's computer has an unknown program running that is sending keystrokes and screenshots to a remote server. The user did not install this program. Which type of malware is this?
easy- A.Rootkit
- B.Worm
- ✓ C.Keylogger
- D.Ransomware
Why C: Option C is correct because the described behavior—capturing keystrokes and screenshots and sending them to a remote server—is the defining characteristic of a keylogger. This type of malware specifically records user input and screen activity to steal sensitive data like passwords and personal information, and it often runs without the user's knowledge or consent.
Variation 2. A technician is investigating a security breach where sensitive customer data was exfiltrated. The only malware found is a hidden driver that intercepts keystrokes and sends them to a remote server. Which malware type is responsible, and what is the best removal strategy?
hard- A.Spyware; remove by running a standard antivirus scan.
- ✓ B.Keylogger; use a rescue disk to boot and run an anti-rootkit scanner.
- C.Ransomware; restore from backup.
- D.Adware; uninstall suspicious programs from Control Panel.
Why B: The malware is a hidden driver that intercepts keystrokes and sends them to a remote server, which is the classic behavior of a keylogger. Because it is a driver, it likely operates at the kernel level, making it a rootkit. Standard antivirus scans may miss it because the OS is compromised, so the best removal strategy is to boot from a rescue disk (clean OS) and run an anti-rootkit scanner to detect and remove the driver without the rootkit hiding itself.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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