- A
Keep WPA-TKIP but enable MAC address filtering to block unauthorized devices.
Correct. MAC address filtering adds a basic access control layer that is not present with WPA-TKIP alone, and it does not require replacing devices. Although it is weak, it is the only option that improves security without breaking connectivity for the older smartphones.
- B
Upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Upgrading to WPA2-PSK would break connectivity for older smartphones that cannot support WPA2, contradicting the requirement to avoid replacing all devices.
- C
Change the SSID to something non-descript and disable SSID broadcast.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Hiding the SSID and changing it to something non-descript does not improve encryption or prevent attacks; it is easily bypassed and does not address the weakness of WPA-TKIP.
- D
Switch to WPA3 and set up a separate guest network for older devices.
Why wrong: Incorrect. Switching to WPA3 would also break connectivity for older devices that lack support for WPA3, and setting up a separate guest network would still require the older devices to use a compatible protocol, likely WPA-TKIP, offering no security improvement.
How to Replace WPA-TKIP with WPA2-AES for Better Security
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: wPA-TKIP. 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 security audit, a technician discovers that a small office's wireless router is still using WPA-TKIP. The office has 20 devices, including some older smartphones that cannot support WPA2. What should the technician recommend to improve security without replacing all devices?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption, as this directly addresses the need to replace WPA-TKIP with WPA2-AES for better security. WPA-TKIP is an outdated protocol with known vulnerabilities, while WPA2-AES provides robust, industry-standard encryption that is backward-compatible with the vast majority of devices. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless security standards and the practical trade-off between security and legacy device support; a common trap is assuming you must keep TKIP for older devices, when in fact most devices claiming “no WPA2 support” actually work with WPA2-PSK. A key memory tip is to think “AES is the best, TKIP is a pest”—always push for AES encryption, and only isolate or replace truly incompatible devices rather than weakening the whole network.
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
Keep WPA-TKIP but enable MAC address filtering to block unauthorized devices.
In this scenario, the older smartphones cannot support WPA2, so upgrading to WPA2-PSK (option B) would break connectivity for those devices. Option A (keeping WPA-TKIP but enabling MAC address filtering) is the only choice that maintains connectivity for all devices without replacement. While MAC filtering is a weak security measure that can be bypassed by MAC spoofing, it does add a layer of access control that was not present before. This is a minimal improvement, and the technician should plan to replace the older devices or isolate them on a separate network as soon as feasible. Options C and D do not solve the core encryption weakness and either fail to improve security or would also break connectivity.
Key principle: WPA-TKIP
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Keep WPA-TKIP but enable MAC address filtering to block unauthorized devices.
Why this is correct
Correct. MAC address filtering adds a basic access control layer that is not present with WPA-TKIP alone, and it does not require replacing devices. Although it is weak, it is the only option that improves security without breaking connectivity for the older smartphones.
Related concept
WPA-TKIP
- ✗
Upgrade the router to support WPA2 and configure it to use WPA2-PSK with AES encryption.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Upgrading to WPA2-PSK would break connectivity for older smartphones that cannot support WPA2, contradicting the requirement to avoid replacing all devices.
- ✗
Change the SSID to something non-descript and disable SSID broadcast.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Hiding the SSID and changing it to something non-descript does not improve encryption or prevent attacks; it is easily bypassed and does not address the weakness of WPA-TKIP.
- ✗
Switch to WPA3 and set up a separate guest network for older devices.
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. Switching to WPA3 would also break connectivity for older devices that lack support for WPA3, and setting up a separate guest network would still require the older devices to use a compatible protocol, likely WPA-TKIP, offering no security improvement.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common trap is to assume that upgrading to WPA2 is always an option, but the question explicitly states that older devices cannot support it. The candidate must carefully read the scenario and recognize that MAC filtering, while weak, is the only option that does not disrupt connectivity.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
TKIP (Temporal Key Integrity Protocol) uses a 128-bit per-packet key mixing scheme but relies on the RC4 stream cipher, which is vulnerable to statistical attacks like the Beck-Tews attack that can recover the MIC key and inject forged packets. WPA2 with AES-CCMP (Counter Mode CBC-MAC Protocol) uses a block cipher in CCM mode, providing authenticated encryption that is resistant to all known practical attacks. In real-world audits, many 'WPA2-incapable' devices actually support WPA2 after a driver update or by manually configuring the security type, so the technician should test this before assuming replacement is necessary.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- WPA-TKIP
- MAC address filtering
- Device compatibility
- Network isolation
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
WPA-TKIP
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review wPA-TKIP, then practise related 220-1202 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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Wireless Security Protocols — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — WPA-TKIP.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Keep WPA-TKIP but enable MAC address filtering to block unauthorized devices. — In this scenario, the older smartphones cannot support WPA2, so upgrading to WPA2-PSK (option B) would break connectivity for those devices. Option A (keeping WPA-TKIP but enabling MAC address filtering) is the only choice that maintains connectivity for all devices without replacement. While MAC filtering is a weak security measure that can be bypassed by MAC spoofing, it does add a layer of access control that was not present before. This is a minimal improvement, and the technician should plan to replace the older devices or isolate them on a separate network as soon as feasible. Options C and D do not solve the core encryption weakness and either fail to improve security or would also break connectivity.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review wPA-TKIP, then practise related 220-1202 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
WPA-TKIP
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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