- A
Rootkit
Why wrong: A rootkit hides its presence and provides privileged access, but does not specifically log keystrokes.
- B
Worm
Why wrong: A worm spreads independently, but does not typically capture keystrokes or screenshots.
- C
Keylogger
A keylogger records keystrokes and often captures screenshots, matching the described behavior.
- D
Ransomware
Why wrong: Ransomware encrypts files for ransom, not for stealthy data capture.
Question 598 of 750
220-1202 Malware Types and Removal Practice Question
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 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?
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
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.
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.
- ✗
Rootkit
Why it's wrong here
A rootkit hides its presence and provides privileged access, but does not specifically log keystrokes.
- ✗
Worm
Why it's wrong here
A worm spreads independently, but does not typically capture keystrokes or screenshots.
- ✓
Keylogger
Why this is correct
A keylogger records keystrokes and often captures screenshots, matching the described behavior.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ransomware
Why it's wrong here
Ransomware encrypts files for ransom, not for stealthy data capture.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a keylogger with a rootkit because both can operate stealthily, but the rootkit's primary function is hiding itself and other malware, not capturing keystrokes or screenshots.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Keyloggers can be implemented as software (e.g., hooking the keyboard interrupt handler via SetWindowsHookEx on Windows) or hardware (e.g., a device inserted between the keyboard and computer). In real-world scenarios, advanced keyloggers may use encrypted communication channels (e.g., HTTPS) to exfiltrate data, making them harder to detect with simple network monitoring tools.
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.
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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 — 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.
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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