CompTIA A+ 220-1102 Exam Notes

Vocabulary flashcards for the CompTIA A+ 220-1102 exam, covering key concepts and definitions from the lecture notes.

Windows 10 minimum requirements

CPU = 1 GHz; RAM = 2 GB; Free drive space = 32 GB

Windows 11 minimum requirements

CPU = 1 GHz; RAM = 4 GB; Free drive space = 64 GB; UEFI (secure boot) capable; TPM 2.0; DirectX 12; 720p resolution

Common System Tools

Device Manager, System Information, Task Manager, and msconfig

Remote Desktop Connection (RDP)

Enables a user to see and control the GUI of a remote computer

Workgroups vs. Domains

Workgroups are for small networks (20 maximum inbound sessions). Domains are for larger networks controlled by a domain controller with Active Directory

%systemroot%

C:\Windows by default

Windows DIR command

Directory command. Navigate with the CD command, including 'CD..' and 'CD\'

File manipulation commands

del (deletes), copy (copies files), robocopy (robust file copy, copies multiple files and directory trees)

Drive manipulation commands

format (writes new file system), diskpart (does everything Disk Management does in PowerShell/Command Prompt)

File checking command-line tools

chkdsk (/F fixes errors; /R locates bad sectors and recovers info) and sfc (System File Checker). sfc /scannow is common.

GPT (GUID Partition Table)

Can have 128 partitions and go beyond MBR’s 2 TB limit. Requires UEFI-compliant motherboard. GPT is stored in multiple locations

MBR (Master Boot Record)

Can have four partitions: up to four primary partitions but only one extended partition. Logical drives are sections of an extended partition. The Active partition is the one that is booted from; it usually contains the OS

Volume

Any section of a drive with a letter

NTFS

The most common file system in Windows

exFAT

Common file system for flash drives

Windows Backup Tools

File History and Windows Backup

System Restore

Fixes issues by reverting back to an earlier time

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

Includes System Recovery Options such as Startup Repair, System Restore, Command Prompt, and Startup Settings

Startup Settings

Brings up options such as Safe Mode, Enable low-resolution video, and Last Known Good Configuration. Safe Mode boots the system with minimal drivers

Event Viewer

Warns about possible issues and displays errors as they occur within three main log files: System, Application, and Security. Security displays auditing information

Stop Error (Blue Screen of Death - BSOD)

Completely halts the operating system and displays a blue screen with various text and code. Can be caused by faulty hardware or bad drivers

gpresult

Displays policy information for the user/computer

gpupdate

Updates policies without having to log off and on

ipconfig

Displays current TCP/IP network configuration values; ipconfig/all shows additional Information such as MAC address

ping

Tests whether another host is available over the network (example: ping 192.168.1.1). ping 127.0.0.1 or ping ::1 to test the local computer. ping -t is continuous, ping -n is a set of pings, ping -l changes the size of each ping, ping -a resolves IP address to hostname

tracert

Sends packets to test destinations beyond the local computer’s network. pathping is similar

netstat

Shows the network statistics for the local computer. Displays TCP and UDP sessions by computer name (or IP) and port

nslookup

Used to query DNS servers to find out DNS details, including the IP address of hosts

net

Used to map network drives (net use), view computers (net view), view users (net user), start/stop services (net start and net stop), and synchronize time (net time)

macOS Dock

Icons on the bottom of the screen used for quick access to applications and files

macOS Finder

Used for locating applications and files

macOS Key Chain

Protected passwords/certificates

macOS Mission Control

Larger desktop perspective

macOS Spotlight

Search tool

macOS iCloud

Cloud storage, sync, and backup

macOS Screen Sharing

View and take control of remote systems

macOS Boot Camp

Dual-boot to Windows

macOS Time Machine

Backup program/system state

macOS Terminal

Similar to Linux terminal

Linux File System

Typically uses GPT and the ext4 file system. Paths use slashes (example: /Downloads/PDFs)

Linux Command: ip a

Linux equivalent of ipconfig

Linux Command: ls

Lists directory contents

Linux Command: chmod

Modifies permissions

Linux Command: chown

Changes file ownership

Linux Command: ps

Displays process information

Linux Command: apt-get & yum

Installs packages

Linux Command: sudo

Executes commands as admin

Linux Command: vi/Vim/nano

Opens text editor

Linux Command: passwd

Changes password

Linux Command: pwd

Displays full path/filename of working directory

Linux Command: shutdown

Brings system down

Linux Command: kill

Terminates processes

Linux Command: cat

Displays file content

Linux Command: grep

Searches for matching information

Linux Command: df

Reports disk space usage

Linux Command: man

Manual pages (help)

Linux Command: top

Analyzes running processes, CPU, and RAM

Linux Command: find

Locates files

Linux Command: dig

Finds out information related to DNS

Wireless encryption protocols

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), PSK (pre-shared key). Deprecated protocols include WEP, WPA (version 1), and TKIP.

Virus

Code that runs on a computer without the user’s knowledge

Trojan horse

Appears to perform desired functions but are actually performing malicious functions behind the scenes

Spyware

Downloaded unwittingly from a website or installed along with some other third-party software

Rootkit

Designed to gain administrator-level access to the core of a system without being detected

Keylogger

Captures the keystrokes of a keyboard

Ransomware

Designed to hold the computer hostage, encrypting files or locking the computer until the user pays the attacker. Often propagated by a Trojan

Cryptominer

Attempts to calculate hashes for cryptocurrency tokens. Can use up resources making a system perform sluggishly

Malware removal best practices

1. Identify and verify malware symptoms 2. Quarantine infected systems 3. Disable System Restore in Windows 4. Remediate infected systems 5. Schedule scans and run updates 6. Enable System Restore and create a restore point 7. Educate the end user

Social Engineering

Manipulating users into revealing confidential information or performing other actions detrimental to the user

Network Attacks

On-path attack, spoofing, zero-day, dictionary, and brute force attacks. DDoS (distributed denial of service), Evil twin

Authentication

Verification of a person’s identity; helps protect against unauthorized access. Something the user knows, has, is, or does. MFA = multi-factor authentication (Example: A password and a smart card)

Security techniques

Access control vestibule, one-time password (OTP), RFID badge, biometric reader, smart cards, and ACLs (access control lists)

Encryption

Changing information using a cipher to make it unreadable to unauthorized users

Encrypting File System (EFS)

Encrypts one or more files or folders directly within the Properties page in Windows

BitLocker

Encrypts an entire drive in Windows. Requires TPM (Trusted Platform Module). BitLocker To Go encrypts USB drives

Storage drive disposal methods

Clearing, purging (sanitizing), and destruction

BIOS/UEFI security

Administrator and user passwords, drivelock passwords, disabling removable media, UEFI Secure Boot, and setting boot device priority

Permissions (NTFS vs. Share)

The more restrictive takes effect; Inheritance/propagation: new folders inherit permissions from their parent folder

Mobile device security

Screenlocks, lockout on invalid attempts, remote wipe, remote backup, and antivirus. Disallow rooting and jailbreaking

Wireless security

Change admin password, change/disable SSID, reduce radio power, disable WPS, use WPA3/AES, enable MAC filtering, update firmware, enable firewall, enable content filtering

Safety Precautions

Do not open power supplies, test AC outlets before use, use Class C CO2-based/BC fire extinguisher on electrical fires, call 911. Employ cable management, MSDS

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) Prevention

Antistatic strap, mat, touch chassis, antistatic bags, unplug computer, and increase humidity

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)

Battery backup for protection during electrical outages

Trouble Tickets

Include user/device information, description of problems, and severity and should be clearly written

Change Management

Purpose of change, scope of change, affected systems, risk analysis, end-user acceptance, change board approvals. Should also include rollback plan and sandbox testing

Incident Response

First response, identify what happened, report through proper channels, preserve data and devices, document, and set up chain of custody

Regulated Data

PII (personally identifiable information), PHI (protected health information), personal government-issued information, PCI DSS, and GDPR. Store in a secure area with encryption and proper permissions

Professionalism

Professional appearance, punctuality, listen to customer, take notes, clarify problems, positive attitude, speak clearly, project confidence, be culturally sensitive, set and meet expectations, avoid distractions, and avoid confidential data

Basic loops

Tell a program to execute the same statement several times

PowerShell and Bash variables

Always place a $ before a variable

Remote access protocols

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol, port 3389), SSH (Secure Shell, port 22), Virtual Network Computing (VNC)

 FTP (File Transfer Protocol). Port

Port 20/21 Secure versions: FTPS on port 989/990 and SFTP on port 22

SSH (Secure Shell). Port

Port 22

Telnet. Port

Port 23 (not secure)

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). Port

Port 25 Secure version uses SSL/TLS on port 587 or 465

DNS (Domain Naming System). Port

Port 53

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol). Port

Port 67/68

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Port

Port 80

POP3 (Post Office Protocol). Port

Port 110 Secure version uses SSL/TLS on port 995

NetBIOS/NetBT (NetBIOS over TCP/IP). Ports

Ports 137–139