Question 1 - CompTIA A+ 220-1202 (Core 2) Real Exam Questions [Feb 2026 Update]

Q: 1

SIMULATION You have been contacted through the help desk chat application. A user is setting up a replacement SOHO router. Assist the user with setting up the router. INSTRUCTIONS Select the most appropriate statement for each response. Click the send button after each response to continue the chat. If at any time you would like to bring back the initial state of the simulation, please click the Reset All button.

Your Answer

Discussion

Mason G. Feb 8, 2026 12:52 pm

Nice, that's the correct setup order for the SOHO router config. Default IP, check sticker for login, change the admin password and SSID, set strong WPA2/WPA3, update firmware, then reboot.

Piya Z. Feb 16, 2026 12:33 am

Anyone else think updating firmware before the admin password is risky? Firmware updates can reset settings, so changing password and SSID should come first. The firmware-first answer is a common trap in these kinds of sims.

Neha Feb 25, 2026 9:01 am

Default IP, sticker credentials, update admin password, set SSID and WPA2/WPA3, firmware update, reboot. That's the expected CompTIA order.

CarefulReviewer9077 Feb 7, 2026 11:48 pm

Update firmware after logging in, not before setting passwords-firmware updates can wipe out changes. Changing admin/SSID first is the safer bet.

Adam L. Feb 13, 2026 2:14 am

Actually firmware update should always come before changing any wireless settings, since an upgrade can reset configs. Update first right after initial login, then secure SSID and passwords.

PracticalMentor3059 Feb 13, 2026 6:03 am

Change admin password before updating firmware

Vikram Feb 13, 2026 1:47 pm

Start with logging in using the default IP and credentials, then change the admin password and SSID, enable WPA2/WPA3, update firmware, and finally reboot. Seen similar order in practice-doing firmware first can wipe new settings so it’s a trap. Pretty sure that’s what CompTIA expects here but open to discussion.

Vikram P. Feb 11, 2026 3:56 am

Change default admin password, then update firmware. That's the normal secure order for SOHO routers unless something urgent is mentioned.

Rowan X. Feb 19, 2026 4:45 pm

If the firmware is super out of date, shouldn’t we update it before setting up WiFi security and SSID? Would that impact the password reset or SSID settings? I’m not sure if CompTIA wants firmware update before or after WiFi config in this scenario.

RileyY Feb 17, 2026 8:21 am

Open the web browser, use the default IP, find credentials on the sticker, change admin password, then set new SSID and enable WPA2/3, update firmware after that, then reboot. That order makes sense since firmware updates can reset your config if done first. Pretty sure that's what they want but open to debate if I missed something.

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Correct Answer:

THE CORRECT SEQUENCE OF RESPONSES FOR THE SIMULATION IS AS FOLLOWS: 1. YOU WILL NEED TO OPEN A WEB BROWSER AND NAVIGATE TO THE ROUTER'S DEFAULT IP ADDRESS. THIS IS USUALLY 192.168.1.1 OR 192.168.0.1. 2. YOU WILL NEED TO LOOK FOR A STICKER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ROUTER FOR THE DEFAULT CREDENTIALS. 3. YOU SHOULD CHANGE THE DEFAULT ADMINISTRATOR PASSWORD FOR THE ROUTER. 4. YOU SHOULD CHANGE THE DEFAULT SSID AND CONFIGURE WPA2 OR WPA3 ENCRYPTION WITH A STRONG PASSWORD. 5. YOU SHOULD UPDATE THE ROUTER'S FIRMWARE TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE LATEST SECURITY PATCHES. 6. REMEMBER TO REBOOT THE ROUTER AFTER THE FIRMWARE UPDATE IS COMPLETE.

Explanation

This sequence represents a logical and secure methodology for SOHO router configuration. The process begins with establishing a connection to the router's management interface via its default IP address. Best practice dictates using the unique credentials printed on the device rather than common, insecure defaults.

The security hardening process prioritizes changing the administrator password to protect the device's configuration settings. This is followed by securing the wireless network itself by changing the default SSID and implementing strong WPA2 or WPA3 encryption. Finally, updating the firmware is a critical step to patch known vulnerabilities. The final instruction to reboot is necessary to apply the firmware update correctly, ensuring the process is completed successfully.

References

1. CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Exam Objectives. (2022). CompTIA.

Section 2.5

"Given a scenario

secure a SOHO multifunction device/router

" outlines the required security steps

including: "Change default username and password

" "Change SSID

" "Set encryption

" and "Update firmware." This directly supports steps 3

and 5 of the provided solution.

2. Kurose

J. F.

& Ross

K. W. (2021). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (8th ed.). Pearson.

Chapter 7

Section 7.3.4

"Securing Wireless LANs

" discusses the importance of changing the default SSID and using robust encryption like WPA2 or WPA3 to prevent unauthorized access

supporting step 4. The chapter also implicitly covers accessing the router's configuration page via its IP address (step 1).

3. Cui

& Stolfo

S. J. (2010). A quantitative analysis of the security of home computer users. In Proceedings of the 3rd USENIX conference on Large-scale exploits and emergent threats (LEET'10). USENIX Association.

The paper highlights that a significant percentage of home routers use default credentials

making them vulnerable. This underscores the critical importance of step 3

changing the default administrator password

as the first security action after gaining access.

4. Fouad

Oest

& Parian

A. (2020). Home-Router Security: A Survey of Risks and a Minimalist Solution. IEEE Access

215013-215031. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3040318

Section III-A

"Outdated Firmware

" states

"Firmware updates are one of the most effective ways to protect routers from known vulnerabilities." This provides strong academic backing for the inclusion of step 5 as a critical security measure. The paper also discusses the risks of default passwords

supporting step 3.

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