Quick Answer
The answer is attack surface reduction, next-generation protection, and endpoint detection and response. These three features form the core of Defender for Endpoint’s device protection capabilities: attack surface reduction rules harden the system against common exploit techniques, next-generation protection provides antivirus and antimalware defenses, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) continuously monitors and responds to advanced threats. On the MD-102 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish Defender’s native security features from adjacent Microsoft 365 services—a common trap is confusing Conditional Access (an Entra ID feature) or Data Loss Prevention (a Purview feature) with Defender’s own protections. To remember, think of the acronym “AND”: Attack surface reduction, Next-generation protection, and Detection/response—these three are always bundled together as Defender’s core device protection stack.
This MD-102 practice question tests your understanding of protect devices. 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.
Which THREE of the following are features of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint that help protect devices?
Attack surface reduction rules
These rules reduce the attack surface.
Endpoint detection and response
EDR provides threat detection and response capabilities.
Next-generation protection
This includes antivirus and antimalware.
Data loss prevention
Why wrong: This is a Microsoft Purview feature.
Conditional access policies
Why wrong: This is a Microsoft Entra ID feature.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Attack surface reduction rules
Attack surface reduction, next-generation protection, and endpoint detection and response are core features. Option A is correct because attack surface reduction rules reduce vulnerabilities. Option B is correct because next-generation protection includes antivirus. Option C is correct because EDR detects and responds to threats. Option D is incorrect because 'Conditional access' is a Microsoft Entra ID feature. Option E is incorrect because 'Data loss prevention' is a Microsoft Purview feature.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Attack surface reduction rules
Why this is correct
These rules reduce the attack surface.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Endpoint detection and response
Why this is correct
EDR provides threat detection and response capabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Next-generation protection
Why this is correct
This includes antivirus and antimalware.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Data loss prevention
Why it's wrong here
This is a Microsoft Purview feature.
Conditional access policies
Why it's wrong here
This is a Microsoft Entra ID feature.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Protect devices — study guide chapter
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Protect devices practice questions
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FAQ
Protect devices — This question tests Protect devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Attack surface reduction rules — Attack surface reduction, next-generation protection, and endpoint detection and response are core features. Option A is correct because attack surface reduction rules reduce vulnerabilities. Option B is correct because next-generation protection includes antivirus. Option C is correct because EDR detects and responds to threats. Option D is incorrect because 'Conditional access' is a Microsoft Entra ID feature. Option E is incorrect because 'Data loss prevention' is a Microsoft Purview feature.
Identify which MD-102 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This MD-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 MD-102 exam.
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