CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) — Question 549

A user reports the following issues:

• Their computer is constantly running slowly.
• The default home page of the web browser has changed to a suspicious search engine.
• They have been receiving pop-up ads on the screen.

Which of the following should a technician do first to address these issues?

Answer options

• A. Update the antivirus program and run a full system scan
• B. Uninstall the suspicious search engine and reset the home page
• C. Install the latest updates for the operating system
• D. Block the pop-up ads using the web browser settings

Correct answer: A

Explanation

Updating the antivirus program and running a full system scan is essential as it can detect and eliminate malware that may be causing the performance issues and unwanted changes. While uninstalling the suspicious search engine and resetting the home page (option B) is important, it should be done after ensuring the system is free of malware. Installing OS updates (option C) and blocking pop-up ads (option D) are also helpful, but they do not address the core issue of potential malware infection.