- A
Run a system restore to a point before the infection.
Why wrong: System restore may not remove rootkits as they can persist in the MBR or system files.
- B
Use an antivirus boot disk to scan and remove the rootkit.
Why wrong: Boot disks can sometimes detect rootkits, but removal is not guaranteed due to deep integration.
- C
Reinstall the operating system from a trusted source.
A clean installation ensures all traces of the rootkit are removed.
- D
Delete the rootkit's files manually in Safe Mode.
Why wrong: Rootkits hide their files and processes, making manual deletion nearly impossible.
Question 209 of 750
Rootkit Removal: Reinstall Operating System
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 security incident, a technician discovers that a user's computer has a program that hides its processes from Task Manager and allows an attacker to remotely control the system. The technician suspects a rootkit. Which removal method is most effective for a rootkit?
Quick Answer
The answer is to reinstall the operating system from a trusted source. This is the most effective rootkit removal method because rootkits operate at the kernel or firmware level, granting them deep system access that allows them to hide processes from tools like Task Manager and evade standard antivirus scans. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding that rootkits cannot be reliably removed through conventional means; the only guaranteed solution is to wipe the drive completely and perform a clean OS installation. A common trap is choosing a tool like System Restore or an antivirus boot disk, but these often fail because the rootkit can re-infect the system before the OS fully loads. Remember the memory tip: “If it hides from Task Manager, it’s time to wipe the platter.”
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
✓
Reinstall the operating system from a trusted source.
Option C is correct because rootkits operate at a deep level within the operating system, often hooking kernel-mode functions or modifying system files to hide their presence. Reinstalling the OS from a trusted source ensures that all rootkit components, including those embedded in the boot sector or kernel, are completely removed, as no residual malicious code remains. This method is the only guaranteed way to eliminate a rootkit that has compromised the system's integrity.
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.
- ✗
Run a system restore to a point before the infection.
Why it's wrong here
System restore may not remove rootkits as they can persist in the MBR or system files.
- ✗
Use an antivirus boot disk to scan and remove the rootkit.
Why it's wrong here
Boot disks can sometimes detect rootkits, but removal is not guaranteed due to deep integration.
- ✓
Reinstall the operating system from a trusted source.
Why this is correct
A clean installation ensures all traces of the rootkit are removed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Delete the rootkit's files manually in Safe Mode.
Why it's wrong here
Rootkits hide their files and processes, making manual deletion nearly impossible.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that Safe Mode or boot-time scans are sufficient for rootkit removal, but the trap here is that rootkits operate at a lower level than these methods can reliably clean, making a full OS reinstall the only definitive solution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Rootkits commonly use techniques like SSDT (System Service Descriptor Table) hooking or DKOM to hide processes, files, and registry keys from user-mode tools like Task Manager. In real-world scenarios, such as the Stuxnet rootkit, the malware infected the boot sector and kernel, making it impossible to remove without a full reinstall because the rootkit could intercept and falsify responses from antivirus scanners even when booted from a clean disk. The only way to guarantee a rootkit-free system is to wipe the storage device and install the OS from a trusted, uninfected source, as this eliminates any persistence mechanisms that survive a standard removal attempt.
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: Reinstall the operating system from a trusted source. — Option C is correct because rootkits operate at a deep level within the operating system, often hooking kernel-mode functions or modifying system files to hide their presence. Reinstalling the OS from a trusted source ensures that all rootkit components, including those embedded in the boot sector or kernel, are completely removed, as no residual malicious code remains. This method is the only guaranteed way to eliminate a rootkit that has compromised the system's integrity.
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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