The first mitigation step that a technician should take when a machine is suspected to contain ransomware is to quarantine the system. This means isolating the infected machine from the network and other devices, to prevent the ransomware from spreading and encrypting more data. The technician can quarantine the system by disconnecting the network cable, turning off the wireless adapter, or using firewall rules to block the traffic from and to the machine12.

This step is more important than the other options because:

Disabling System Restore (A) is not a priority, as it will not stop the ransomware from running or spreading. System Restore is a feature that allows users to restore their system to a previous state, but it may not work if the ransomware has encrypted or deleted the restore points. Moreover, disabling System Restore may prevent the user from recovering some data or settings in the future13.

Remediating the system (B) is the ultimate goal, but it cannot be done before quarantining the system. Remediating the system means removing the ransomware, restoring the data, and fixing the vulnerabilities that allowed the attack. However, this process requires careful analysis, planning, and execution, and it may not be possible if the ransomware is still active and communicating with the attackers. Therefore, the technician should first isolate the system and then proceed with the remediation steps12.

Educating the system user © is a preventive measure, but it is not a mitigation step. Educating the system user means raising awareness and providing training on how to avoid ransomware attacks, such as by recognizing phishing emails, avoiding suspicious links or attachments, and updating and patching the system regularly. However, this step will not help if the system is already infected, and it may not be effective if the user is not willing or able to follow the best practices. Therefore, the technician should focus on resolving the current incident and then educate the user as part of the recovery plan14.

Remote network installation is the best option for configuring a new server that requires a bare-metal installation without installation media on site. A remote network installation is a method of installing an operating system or an application over a network connection, such as LAN, WAN, or Internet. A remote network installation can use various protocols, such as PXE, HTTP, FTP, or SMB, to access the installation files from a server or a cloud service. A remote network installation can also use various tools, such as Windows Deployment Services, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, or Red Hat Kickstart, to automate and customize the installation process. A remote network installation can save time and resources by eliminating the need for physical media and allowing centralized management of multiple installations. Image deployment, recovery partition installation, and repair installation are not correct answers for this question. Image deployment is a method of installing an operating system or an application by copying a preconfigured image file to a target device. Image deployment requires an existing image file and a compatible device. Recovery partition installation is a method of restoring an operating system or an application from a hidden partition on the hard disk that contains the original factory settings. Recovery partition installation requires an existing recovery partition and a functional hard disk. Repair installation is a method of fixing an operating system or an application that is corrupted or damaged by replacing or repairing the system files without affecting the user data or settings. Repair installation requires an existing operating system or application and a working device. References:

Official CompTIA learning resources CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2, page 16

CompTIA A+ Complete Study Guide: Core 1 Exam 220-1101 and Core 2 Exam …, page 106

The sfc command is a tool for scanning and repairing system files that are corrupted or missing on Windows operating systems12. System files are essential files that are required for the proper functioning of the operating system, such as the GUI, drivers, services, and applications. If system files are damaged or deleted, the operating system may fail to start or run properly, causing errors, crashes, or blue screens.

The sfc command can be used to fix the issue of the PC that is unable to start the GUI, assuming that the problem is caused by corrupted or missing system files. The sfc command can be run from the command prompt, which can be accessed by booting the PC from the installation media, choosing the repair option, and selecting the command prompt option3. The sfc command can be used with different switches, such as /scannow, /verifyonly, /scanfile, or /offbootdir, depending on the situation and the desired action4. The most common switch is /scannow, which scans all the system files and repairs any problems that are found5. The syntax of the sfc command with the /scannow switch is:

sfc /scannow

The sfc command will then scan and repair the system files, and display the results on the screen. If the sfc command is able to fix the system files, the PC should be able to start the GUI normally after rebooting. If the sfc command is unable to fix the system files, the PC may need further troubleshooting or a clean installation of Windows.

References1: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 10 2: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Complete Video Course, Lesson 26 Documentation 3: How to use SFC Scannow to repair Windows system files 4: SFC Command (System File Checker) 5: How to Repair Windows 10 using Command Prompt

The best tool to use to assist the user with viewing the email is RMM, which stands for remote monitoring and management. This is a software that allows the technician to remotely access, monitor, and manage the user’s computer and applications. The technician can use RMM to view the user’s screen, control the mouse and keyboard, and troubleshoot the email issue. The other tools are not suitable for this task. VNC is a software that allows remote desktop sharing, but it requires the user to install and configure it on their computer, which may not be feasible or convenient. SSH is a protocol that allows secure remote access to a command-line interface, but it is not useful for viewing graphical applications such as email. VPN is a technology that creates a secure and encrypted connection over a public network, but it does not provide remote access or control of the user’s computer.

Developer Mode on Windows 10 is a feature that allows developers to test and debug their applications on their devices, as well as sideload apps and access other developer tools12. To enable Developer Mode, the user needs to go to the Settings app, select Update & Security, choose For Developers, and switch to Developer Mode123. However, enabling Developer Mode requires internet connectivity, as Windows will download and install a package of features, such as Windows Device Portal and SSH services, that are necessary for Developer Mode124. If the user does not have internet connectivity, they will receive a “failed to install package” message when trying to enable Developer Mode4. Therefore, the first thing that the technician should do is to ensure that the laptop has internet access, either through Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and then try to enable Developer Mode again4

The scenario described in the question suggests that the workstation has been infected by a ransomware, which is a type of malware that encrypts the files on the target system and demands a ransom for the decryption key12. The file extension .enc is commonly used by some ransomware variants to mark the encrypted files34. The developer is unable to open the database files manually because they are encrypted and require the decryption key, which is usually held by the attacker.

The best option for recovering the data is to utilize the backups, assuming that the backups are recent, valid, and not affected by the ransomware. Backups are copies of the data that are stored in a separate location or device, and can be used to restore the data in case of a disaster, such as a ransomware attack . By restoring the data from the backups, the developer can avoid paying the ransom and losing the data permanently.

Accessing a restore point is not a good option, because restore points are snapshots of the system settings and configuration, not the data files. Restore points can help to undo some system changes, such as installing a faulty driver or software, but they cannot recover the encrypted data files .

Rebooting into safe mode is also not a good option, because safe mode is a diagnostic mode that allows the system to run with minimal drivers and services, but it does not affect the data files. Safe mode can help to troubleshoot some system issues, such as malware infections, but it cannot decrypt the data files .

Using an AV to scan the affected files is also not a good option, because an AV is a software that can detect and remove some malware, but it cannot decrypt the data files. An AV can help to prevent or remove some ransomware infections, but it cannot recover the encrypted data files .

References1: CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 10 2: CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Complete Video Course, Lesson 26 Documentation 3: How to remove .enc file virus (Ransomware virus removal guide) 4: Enc File Extension - What is an .enc file and how do I open it? : CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 13 : CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1102) Complete Video Course, Lesson 26 Documentation : What is a restore point? : How to use System Restore on Windows 10 : [What is Safe Mode?] : [How to boot into Safe Mode on Windows 10] : CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Core 2 Objectives, page 10 : [Can antivirus software remove ransomware?]

When dealing with a suspected virus infection on an air-gapped computer, after an initial scan with Windows Defender shows no infection, the next steps should include examining the event logs to look for suspicious activity and updating the virus definitions for a more thorough scan. Event logs can provide insights into system changes and potential malicious activities, while updated definitions ensure the antivirus software can detect the latest threats. Connecting to the network or enabling the firewall might not be appropriate due to the risk of spreading the infection, and re-imaging the computer or documenting the findings would be subsequent steps if the initial actions don't resolve the issue.References: Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 Student Guide​​​​.

Malware is software that infects computer systems to damage, disable or exploit the computer or network for various malicious purposes5. Malware is typically distributed via email attachments, fake internet ads, infected applications or websites, and often relies on user interaction to execute6. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to prevent malware infections is to educate the end user about the common signs and sources of malware, and how to avoid them7. Configuring the firewall, restoring the system from backups, and updating the antivirus program are also important security measures, but they do not address the root cause of the user’s repeated infections, which is likely due to a lack of awareness or caution.

References5: Malware: what it is, how it works, and how to stop it - Norton6: How to Prevent Malware: 15 Best Practices for Malware Prevention7: 10 Security Tips for How to Prevent Malware Infections - Netwrix

The systems administrator should use Settings to access Screensaver settings to configure each user’s Windows device to require a password when resuming from a period of sleep or inactivity1

The support representative should send a quick message regarding the delay to the next customer. This will help the next customer understand the situation and adjust their schedule accordingly.

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/difference-32-bit-64-bit-windows/

 After upgrading from a 32-bit Windows OS to a 64-bit OS, the company will be able to fully take advantage of the RAM of the computer. This is because a 64-bit operating system is able to use larger amounts of RAM compared to a 32-bit operating system, which may benefit the system’s overall performance if it has more than 4GB of RAM installed 

The user should install and run Linux and the required application as a virtual machine installed under the Windows OS. This solution would allow for parallel execution of the Linux application and Windows applications2.

The MOST efficient solution that allows for parallel execution of the Linux application and Windows applications is to install and run Linux and the required application as a virtual machine installed under the Windows OS. This is because it allows you to run both Linux and Windows together without the need to keep the Linux portion confined to a VM window3.

When disposing of non-compliant Ethernet cards, the most environmentally friendly option is to use a dumpster for recycling plastics. This method is the most effective way to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, and it also helps to reduce the amount of energy used in the production of new materials. Additionally, recycling plastics helps to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that can be released into the environment.

According to CompTIA A+ Core 2 documents, "The most environmentally friendly disposal method for non-compliant Ethernet cards is to use a dumpster for recycling plastics. This method is the most effective way to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, and it also helps to reduce the amount of energy used in the production of new materials."

https://sustainability.yale.edu/blog/how-sustainably-dispose-your-technological-waste

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol and it is used to assign IP addresses and other network configuration parameters to devices on a network automatically. This is useful for devices that do not require the same private address each time they connect to the internet. 

Group Policy is the most likely tool to be used to change the security settings on a user’s device in a domain environment. Group Policy is a feature of Windows that allows administrators to manage and configure settings for multiple devices and users in a centralized way. Group Policy can be used to enforce security policies such as password complexity, account lockout, firewall rules, encryption settings, etc.

 Chain of custody and data integrity are two options that should most likely be considered when preserving data from a hard drive for forensic analysis. Chain of custody refers to the documentation and tracking of who has access to the data and how it is handled, stored, and transferred. Data integrity refers to the assurance that the data has not been altered, corrupted, or tampered with during the preservation process

A keylogger is a type of malware that records the keystrokes of a user and sends them to a remote attacker1. The attacker can use the captured information to steal passwords, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data. A keylogger can be installed on a computer by attaching a small USB drive that contains a malicious executable file, such as grabber.exe2. The output.txt file may contain the recorded keystrokes. The user should remove the USB drive and scan the computer for malware.