A+ Malware Infection Symptoms Quiz

1. Which tool would a technician use to identify running malware processes?

Task Manager or Process Explorer

Device Manager

Disk Management

Services console only

2. Which malware symptom would appear in Event Viewer as repeated security warnings?

Failed login attempts or privilege escalation attempts

Insufficient RAM

Outdated drivers

Disk fragmentation

3. A system shows multiple new user accounts created without authorization. What does this suggest?

Temporary file corruption

Malware attempting to maintain persistent access

Windows automatic update side effect

Hard drive sector errors

4. Which command would help identify suspicious network connections on a compromised system?

Netstat -ano

Ipconfig /all

Sfc /scannow

Chkdsk /f

5. A Mac user reports unexpected kernel panic errors. What malware type might cause this?

Adware

Rootkit or kernel-level malware

Scareware

PUP

6. Which of these is NOT a typical malware infection symptom?

Unexpected network activity

New toolbars in browser

Occasional application lag

Unauthorized file changes

7. A technician notices the system clock constantly changes. What could this indicate?

Hard drive failure

BIOS/firmware manipulation by malware

Windows Update in progress

Battery backup failure

8. Which symptom is most indicative of a virus rather than other malware types?

Requires host file infection to propagate

Runs independently without a host

Displays only advertisements

Encrypts files for ransom

9. A system exhibits extreme slowness despite low CPU and disk usage. What should you check first?

RAM usage and network activity

Hard drive temperature

Windows Update status

Monitor refresh rate

10. What does a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) typically do?

Deletes system files

Displays advertisements or collects user data

Encrypts all documents

Disables Windows Defender

11. Which symptom most reliably indicates a system has been compromised by malware?

Unexpected system slowdowns and high CPU usage

Browser homepage changed without user action

Random error messages appearing

Increased hard drive noise

12. A user's system displays a fake antivirus warning demanding payment. What is this called?

Ransomware

Scareware

Adware

Spyware

13. Which malware type is characterized by self-replication without user action?

Worm

Virus

Trojan

PUP

14. A system shows signs of being part of a botnet. Which observable symptom would confirm this?

High outbound network traffic to unknown destinations

Desktop icons rearranging by themselves

Printer printing random pages

Sound card producing noise

15. What is the primary characteristic of spyware?

Encrypts files for payment

Secretly monitors user activity and steals data

Displays constant advertisements

Replicates itself across the network

16. Which symptom suggests a keylogger malware infection?

Passwords no longer work despite correct entry

Browser redirects to suspicious websites

System runs out of disk space rapidly

New user accounts appear in Control Panel

17. A technician observes unauthorized network connections in netstat output. What malware type is most likely responsible?

Adware

Botnet or remote access trojan

Logic bomb

Scareware

18. Which of these is a common symptom of ransomware infection?

Files become encrypted and inaccessible

Constant network connectivity issues

Random application crashes

Excessive fan noise

19. What does a rootkit primarily allow an attacker to do?

Display pop-up advertisements

Gain unauthorized administrative access

Encrypt user files for ransom

Steal banking credentials only

20. A user reports their browser constantly displays unwanted advertisements. What is this behavior called?

Ransomware

Adware

Rootkit

Trojan

A+ Identifying Malware Infection Symptoms Quiz

1. Which tool would a technician use to identify running malware processes?

2.

What first name or nickname would you like us to use?

2. Which malware symptom would appear in Event Viewer as repeated security warnings?

3. A system shows multiple new user accounts created without authorization. What does this suggest?

4. Which command would help identify suspicious network connections on a compromised system?

5. A Mac user reports unexpected kernel panic errors. What malware type might cause this?

6. Which of these is NOT a typical malware infection symptom?

7. A technician notices the system clock constantly changes. What could this indicate?

8. Which symptom is most indicative of a virus rather than other malware types?

9. A system exhibits extreme slowness despite low CPU and disk usage. What should you check first?

10. What does a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) typically do?

11. Which symptom most reliably indicates a system has been compromised by malware?

12. A user's system displays a fake antivirus warning demanding payment. What is this called?

13. Which malware type is characterized by self-replication without user action?

14. A system shows signs of being part of a botnet. Which observable symptom would confirm this?

15. What is the primary characteristic of spyware?

16. Which symptom suggests a keylogger malware infection?

17. A technician observes unauthorized network connections in netstat output. What malware type is most likely responsible?

18. Which of these is a common symptom of ransomware infection?

19. What does a rootkit primarily allow an attacker to do?

20. A user reports their browser constantly displays unwanted advertisements. What is this behavior called?