- A
Run a full antivirus scan on the computer.
Why wrong: Scanning is important but should be done after removing the device to prevent further compromise.
- B
Check the USB drive's contents to see what it contains.
Why wrong: Opening the drive could trigger malware; it should be isolated first.
- C
Ask the user to unplug the USB drive immediately.
Removing the device stops any ongoing malicious activity and is the first step in containment.
- D
Disable the USB ports in the BIOS.
Why wrong: Disabling ports is a longer-term fix but does not address the immediate threat of the unknown device.
Question 158 of 750
Responding to an Unknown USB Device: Immediate Removal
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of physical security controls. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user complains that their computer is running slowly and they see a USB drive they don't recognize plugged into the front port. What is the first step a technician should take to address this potential security issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Quick Answer
The answer is to ask the user to unplug the USB drive immediately. This is the correct first step because an unknown USB device could be a vector for malware, such as a BadUSB attack, or a tool for data exfiltration, and any delay in removal increases the risk of compromise. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of incident response procedures for physical media threats, specifically the principle of isolating the system from the potential threat before performing any diagnostic or remediation steps. A common trap is to first run antivirus scans or check Device Manager for driver errors, but the exam emphasizes that immediate physical removal is the priority when a security issue is suspected. Remember the mnemonic "PULL first, scan later" to lock in the correct order of operations.
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
✓
Ask the user to unplug the USB drive immediately.
Option C is correct because the immediate priority is to contain the potential security threat by physically removing the unknown USB drive. This follows the principle of least privilege and incident response best practices: isolate the suspect device before performing any analysis or remediation. Unplugging the drive stops any ongoing data exfiltration or malware installation, which is the first step in a security incident response.
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 full antivirus scan on the computer.
Why it's wrong here
Scanning is important but should be done after removing the device to prevent further compromise.
- ✗
Check the USB drive's contents to see what it contains.
Why it's wrong here
Opening the drive could trigger malware; it should be isolated first.
- ✓
Ask the user to unplug the USB drive immediately.
Why this is correct
Removing the device stops any ongoing malicious activity and is the first step in containment.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Disable the USB ports in the BIOS.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling ports is a longer-term fix but does not address the immediate threat of the unknown device.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often jump to scanning or investigating the drive (options A or B) because they focus on detection rather than containment, but the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 exam emphasizes immediate isolation as the first step in security incident response.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, USB devices can present as HID (Human Interface Device) or mass storage, and the OS may automatically mount them and execute autorun scripts if not disabled. In a real-world scenario, a malicious USB drive could emulate a keyboard to inject keystrokes (e.g., BadUSB attack) or install ransomware within seconds of connection. The first step is always physical removal to break the attack chain, then proceed with forensic imaging and analysis in an isolated sandbox.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Physical Security Controls — This question tests Physical Security Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ask the user to unplug the USB drive immediately. — Option C is correct because the immediate priority is to contain the potential security threat by physically removing the unknown USB drive. This follows the principle of least privilege and incident response best practices: isolate the suspect device before performing any analysis or remediation. Unplugging the drive stops any ongoing data exfiltration or malware installation, which is the first step in a security incident response.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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