CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501) — Question 24

Ann. An employee in the payroll department, has contacted the help desk citing multiple issues with her device, including:
✑ Slow performance
✑ Word documents, PDFs, and images no longer opening
✑ A pop-up
Ann states the issues began after she opened an invoice that a vendor emailed to her. Upon opening the invoice, she had to click several security warnings to view it in her word processor. With which of the following is the device MOST likely infected?

Answer options

• A. Spyware
• B. Crypto-malware
• C. Rootkit
• D. Backdoor

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The correct answer is D, Backdoor, as it typically allows unauthorized access and control over a system, which can lead to the symptoms Ann is experiencing. The other options, like Spyware and Crypto-malware, generally have different effects, such as data theft or encrypting files, but do not primarily present the issues of slow performance and pop-ups as described.