The CompTIA A+ Core 2 2025 Exam (220-1202)

Authenticator apps (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Duo) often support push notifications. When the user logs in, the app sends a push to their mobile device, prompting the user to approve or deny the authentication request — a common and user-friendly form of multi-factor authentication (MFA).

A. Phone call verification is a separate method involving voice-based confirmation.

C. Hardware tokens generate one-time codes but do not send push notifications.

D. SMS sends a text message with a code — again, no push mechanism.

Many modern commercial software applications (including photo editors like Adobe Photoshop) offer tiered features based on user subscriptions or license levels. If certain features are locked and prompt for a login, the issue is likely due to a missing or unassigned software license. Assigning the correct license through a centralized license management system (such as Adobe Admin Console or Microsoft 365 portal) will enable those features.

B. VPN connection does not affect local software licensing.

C. Repairing the application does not resolve license entitlement.

D. Reinstalling the software won’t help unless the license is assigned.

The correct answer is A. Use a virtual machine to emulate an older OS, because virtualization is the most reliable method for running legacy applications that are incompatible with modern operating systems or hardware. When a new computer does not meet an application’s requirements—such as OS version, driver support, or system libraries—the issue is typically software compatibility, not system performance.

According to the Quentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, virtualization allows technicians to install an older operating system inside a virtual machine (VM) while still using modern hardware. This approach isolates the legacy application in a controlled environment that exactly matches its original requirements, without compromising the security or stability of the host OS.

The Travis Everett & Andrew Hutz – All-in-One Exam Guide explains that virtual machines are a preferred solution when organizations must maintain access to older business-critical software that cannot be updated. Running installers in Safe Mode or increasing swap space does not resolve OS-level incompatibility issues.

The Mike Meyers / Mark Soper Lab Manual further reinforces that compatibility toolkits can help with minor application issues, but they cannot fully emulate missing OS components or deprecated system calls. Virtualization provides complete compatibility by recreating the expected environment.

Therefore, using a virtual machine with an older OS is the most effective and exam-correct solution.

The correct answer is D. cp, which is a core Linux command used to copy files and directories. File management in Linux is performed primarily through command-line utilities, and cp is one of the most fundamental commands for this purpose.

According to the Quentin Docter – CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide, Linux administrators frequently use commands such as cp, mv, rm, and ls to manage files. The cp command allows users to copy files between directories or locations and supports options for recursive copying and permission preservation.

The Travis Everett & Andrew Hutz – All-in-One Exam Guide highlights that Linux file management commands differ significantly from Windows equivalents. While Windows uses robocopy and xcopy, Linux relies on simpler, built-in commands like cp.

The Mike Meyers / Mark Soper Lab Manual further explains that curl is used for transferring data over network protocols, not for managing local files. Commands such as robocopy and xcopy are Windows-specific and not available in standard Linux environments.

Because the question asks specifically about managing files in Linux, and cp is a native Linux file-management command, D is the correct answer.

The best answer is B because Linux, macOS, and Windows handle application installation differently, so the technician should use the correct tool or deployment method for each operating system. The A+ Core 2 objectives specifically include diverse OS environments, macOS application installation file types such as .dmg, .pkg, and .app , and Linux tools such as apt-get and yum . The Mike Meyers/Mark Soper material explains that macOS software may be installed from the App Store, a .dmg disk image, or a .pkg installer, while Linux commonly uses package-management tools and distro software stores. The All-in-One Exam Guide also emphasizes that package managers install and update software while handling dependencies, which is especially important in Linux. A single Windows batch script would not properly apply to macOS and Linux. Sending users to the manufacturer’s website bypasses organizational control, and manual installation on every system is inefficient and error-prone.

TheDo Not Disturbsetting in Windows Notification settings allows users to suppress all notification banners and sounds during presentations or video calls.

FromTravis Everett – All-in-One Exam Guide:

“Use Windows ‘Do Not Disturb’ to prevent notifications from interrupting full-screen apps like video conferencing.”

The net use command in Windows is used to map (assign) a shared drive from the command line. The syntax typically looks like: net use X: \server\share where X is the drive letter and \server\share is the network path.

A. pathping tests network latency and packet loss.

B. nslookup is used for DNS troubleshooting.

D. tracert shows the route packets take to reach a destination — not for drive mapping.

Windows Helloprovides alternative sign-in options including facial recognition, fingerprint scans, and PINs, reducing dependence on passwords.

FromAll-in-One Exam Guide:

“Windows Hello offers a range of biometric and PIN-based login methods designed to simplify access while enhancing security.”

“It can be used in place of a password, ideal for users who frequently forget credentials.”

Using many separate systems (endpoints) to attack one target is the defining characteristic of a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. Mike Meyers’ Lab Manual defines DDoS as: “An attack on a computer or network device in which multiple computers send data and requests to the device in an attempt to overwhelm it so that it cannot perform normal operations.” That description exactly matches the scenario: many endpoints are coordinated to flood one endpoint, preventing legitimate use.

This is different from an on-path (man-in-the-middle) attack, which intercepts traffic between two parties; SQL injection, which targets databases via malicious input; and brute-force attacks, which attempt repeated authentication guesses. The key clue is multiple endpoints working together, which implies distribution (often via botnets) and service disruption by volume. That is why the correct classification is Distributed Denial of Service (D).