- A
Set up an open network with no encryption and a captive portal for terms of service.
An open network allows easy access without a password, and a captive portal can enforce acceptable use, but it does not encrypt traffic; this matches the owner's request for no password.
- B
Use WPA2-PSK with a simple password like 'coffee123'.
Why wrong: This still requires a password, which the owner does not want; it also provides encryption but is not 'no password'.
- C
Enable WPA3-Enterprise with certificate-based authentication.
Why wrong: This is overly complex for a coffee shop and requires certificates, defeating the purpose of easy access.
- D
Use WEP with a shared key printed on a receipt.
Why wrong: WEP is insecure and deprecated; it also requires a key, not a 'no password' scenario.
Configuring Guest Wi-Fi: Open Network with Captive Portal
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of wireless security protocols. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 setting up a guest Wi-Fi network in a coffee shop. The owner wants customers to be able to connect easily without entering a password, but still wants basic encryption to prevent eavesdropping. Which security configuration should the technician use?
Quick Answer
The answer is to set up an open network with no encryption and a captive portal for terms of service. This configuration directly meets the coffee shop owner’s request for guest Wi-Fi security without a password, prioritizing easy connection over data protection. The key technical trade-off here is that an open network with a captive portal provides no encryption, meaning traffic is transmitted in plain text and vulnerable to eavesdropping—a critical point the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam tests to see if you understand the difference between access control and encryption. A common trap is assuming a captive portal alone secures the data; it only gates entry. While WPA3-Enhanced Open (OWE) offers encryption without a password, it is not always available in legacy equipment, so the exam expects you to recognize the open-plus-captive-portal model as the standard, practical answer for guest Wi-Fi security without a password. Memory tip: “Portal for access, no cloak for data”—the captive portal controls who gets in, but the data stays naked.
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
Set up an open network with no encryption and a captive portal for terms of service.
Option A is correct because an open network with a captive portal allows customers to connect without a password while still providing a layer of control (terms of service acceptance). However, it does not provide encryption, so the owner's desire for 'basic encryption' is not actually met by this configuration. The question contains a contradiction: the owner wants no password but also wants encryption. In practice, an open network with a captive portal is the only option that allows password-free connectivity, but it offers no encryption, leaving traffic vulnerable to eavesdropping.
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.
- ✓
Set up an open network with no encryption and a captive portal for terms of service.
Why this is correct
An open network allows easy access without a password, and a captive portal can enforce acceptable use, but it does not encrypt traffic; this matches the owner's request for no password.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use WPA2-PSK with a simple password like 'coffee123'.
Why it's wrong here
This still requires a password, which the owner does not want; it also provides encryption but is not 'no password'.
- ✗
Enable WPA3-Enterprise with certificate-based authentication.
Why it's wrong here
This is overly complex for a coffee shop and requires certificates, defeating the purpose of easy access.
- ✗
Use WEP with a shared key printed on a receipt.
Why it's wrong here
WEP is insecure and deprecated; it also requires a key, not a 'no password' scenario.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that a captive portal provides encryption, when in fact it only provides authentication/authorization at the application layer, leaving the wireless link unencrypted.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
WEP is insecure and deprecated; it also requires a key, not a 'no password' scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
A captive portal operates at Layer 7 (HTTP/HTTPS) and intercepts web traffic to present a login or acceptance page, but it does not encrypt the wireless medium. Without encryption (e.g., WPA2/WPA3), all traffic between the client and access point is transmitted in plaintext, allowing anyone with a packet sniffer (like Wireshark) to capture sensitive data. The only way to provide both no-password access and encryption is to use a technology like Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE), defined in RFC 8110, which is part of WPA3's 'Enhanced Open' mode, but this is not listed in the options.
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?
Wireless Security Protocols — This question tests Wireless Security Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set up an open network with no encryption and a captive portal for terms of service. — Option A is correct because an open network with a captive portal allows customers to connect without a password while still providing a layer of control (terms of service acceptance). However, it does not provide encryption, so the owner's desire for 'basic encryption' is not actually met by this configuration. The question contains a contradiction: the owner wants no password but also wants encryption. In practice, an open network with a captive portal is the only option that allows password-free connectivity, but it offers no encryption, leaving traffic vulnerable to eavesdropping.
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
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