COMPTIA SECURITY+ SY0-701 CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-20… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
CompTIA Security+ SY0-701
Certification Questions &
Answers 2026-2027 |
Updated & Verified
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 100 verified CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certification questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales. It covers foundational cybersecurity concepts, making it suitable for exam
preparation, comprehensive study, and in-depth review of key security principles.
CONTENTS
Malware and Malicious Code Q1–Q32
Threat Vectors and Attack Methods Q33–Q41
Security Controls and Technologies Q42–Q59
Core Security Concepts and Principles Q60–Q88
Data Integrity and Availability Q89–Q100
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
Malware
CORRECT ANSWER
A malicious software
RATIONALE
Malware is a portmanteau of "malicious software," referring to any software intentionally designed to cause damage to
a computer, server, client, or computer network. This encompasses viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and
adware.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
malicious code that runs without user's knowledge. Viruses require a user action in order to reproduce and spread
RATIONALE
Viruses are self-replicating programs that attach to legitimate files, requiring user interaction like opening an infected
document to execute and spread. This parasitic nature distinguishes them from other malware like worms, which can
propagate autonomously across networks.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
Boot Sector Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus stored in the first sector of a hard drive and loaded into memory upon boot up. It is hard to detect
RATIONALE
Boot sector viruses reside in the Master Boot Record (MBR) or boot sector, initiating execution before the operating
system loads, making them difficult to detect and remove by conventional antivirus software. This pre-OS execution
allows them to gain control of the system early in the boot process.
Page 2
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
Macros Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
Virus embedded in a document and executed when the document is opened .
RATIONALE
A macros virus is code written in a macro language, typically embedded within a document, that executes
automatically when the document is opened, thereby infecting the system. This mechanism leverages the document's
legitimate macro functionality for malicious purposes.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
Program Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
virus that infect an executable or an application
RATIONALE
A program virus is a type of malicious software that infects executable files or applications by inserting its code,
thereby executing when the host program is run. This behavior is characteristic of how viruses propagate and cause
harm.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
Multipartite Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus that combines both boot sector and program viruses together by attaching itself to the boot sector and
system files
RATIONALE
A multipartite virus exhibits dual infectivity by simultaneously targeting the boot sector, which controls system
startup, and program files, which contain executable code. This hybrid approach allows it to propagate through both
the system's initialization process and user-initiated program execution.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 100
Encrypted Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus that uses a cipher to encrypt the content itself to avoid detection by any antivirus software .
Page 3
, RATIONALE
This virus employs encryption as a polymorphic technique, altering its signature with each infection to evade
signature-based detection by antivirus programs. The core principle tested is the mechanism by which advanced
malware circumvents traditional security measures.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 100
Polymorphic Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
An advanced version of an encrypted virus that changes itself everytime its executed by trying to morph the way
the code looks so the sign-based antivirus cant defect it
RATIONALE
Polymorphic viruses evade signature-based detection by altering their code's appearance with each execution,
employing techniques like encryption and self-modification to present a unique signature that antivirus software
cannot readily identify. This dynamic obfuscation is the defining characteristic of polymorphic malware.
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 100
Metamorphic Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus that is able to rewrite itself entirely before it attempts to infect a file
RATIONALE
This virus's ability to alter its own code before infection is its defining characteristic, allowing it to evade detection by
signature-based antivirus software. The key concept tested is the polymorphic nature of advanced malware.
Q10 QUESTION 10 OF 100
Stealth Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
a category of a virus protecting itself techniques viruses
RATIONALE
The term "stealth virus" refers to a virus employing techniques to evade detection by antivirus software, thus
protecting its own replication and spread. This highlights the principle of viral evasion strategies in cybersecurity.
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
CompTIA Security+ SY0-701
Certification Questions &
Answers 2026-2027 |
Updated & Verified
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
100 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 100 verified CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 certification questions with correct
answers and detailed rationales. It covers foundational cybersecurity concepts, making it suitable for exam
preparation, comprehensive study, and in-depth review of key security principles.
CONTENTS
Malware and Malicious Code Q1–Q32
Threat Vectors and Attack Methods Q33–Q41
Security Controls and Technologies Q42–Q59
Core Security Concepts and Principles Q60–Q88
Data Integrity and Availability Q89–Q100
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 100
Malware
CORRECT ANSWER
A malicious software
RATIONALE
Malware is a portmanteau of "malicious software," referring to any software intentionally designed to cause damage to
a computer, server, client, or computer network. This encompasses viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and
adware.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 100
Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
malicious code that runs without user's knowledge. Viruses require a user action in order to reproduce and spread
RATIONALE
Viruses are self-replicating programs that attach to legitimate files, requiring user interaction like opening an infected
document to execute and spread. This parasitic nature distinguishes them from other malware like worms, which can
propagate autonomously across networks.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 100
Boot Sector Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus stored in the first sector of a hard drive and loaded into memory upon boot up. It is hard to detect
RATIONALE
Boot sector viruses reside in the Master Boot Record (MBR) or boot sector, initiating execution before the operating
system loads, making them difficult to detect and remove by conventional antivirus software. This pre-OS execution
allows them to gain control of the system early in the boot process.
Page 2
, Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 100
Macros Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
Virus embedded in a document and executed when the document is opened .
RATIONALE
A macros virus is code written in a macro language, typically embedded within a document, that executes
automatically when the document is opened, thereby infecting the system. This mechanism leverages the document's
legitimate macro functionality for malicious purposes.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 100
Program Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
virus that infect an executable or an application
RATIONALE
A program virus is a type of malicious software that infects executable files or applications by inserting its code,
thereby executing when the host program is run. This behavior is characteristic of how viruses propagate and cause
harm.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 100
Multipartite Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus that combines both boot sector and program viruses together by attaching itself to the boot sector and
system files
RATIONALE
A multipartite virus exhibits dual infectivity by simultaneously targeting the boot sector, which controls system
startup, and program files, which contain executable code. This hybrid approach allows it to propagate through both
the system's initialization process and user-initiated program execution.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 100
Encrypted Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus that uses a cipher to encrypt the content itself to avoid detection by any antivirus software .
Page 3
, RATIONALE
This virus employs encryption as a polymorphic technique, altering its signature with each infection to evade
signature-based detection by antivirus programs. The core principle tested is the mechanism by which advanced
malware circumvents traditional security measures.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 100
Polymorphic Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
An advanced version of an encrypted virus that changes itself everytime its executed by trying to morph the way
the code looks so the sign-based antivirus cant defect it
RATIONALE
Polymorphic viruses evade signature-based detection by altering their code's appearance with each execution,
employing techniques like encryption and self-modification to present a unique signature that antivirus software
cannot readily identify. This dynamic obfuscation is the defining characteristic of polymorphic malware.
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 100
Metamorphic Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
A virus that is able to rewrite itself entirely before it attempts to infect a file
RATIONALE
This virus's ability to alter its own code before infection is its defining characteristic, allowing it to evade detection by
signature-based antivirus software. The key concept tested is the polymorphic nature of advanced malware.
Q10 QUESTION 10 OF 100
Stealth Virus
CORRECT ANSWER
a category of a virus protecting itself techniques viruses
RATIONALE
The term "stealth virus" refers to a virus employing techniques to evade detection by antivirus software, thus
protecting its own replication and spread. This highlights the principle of viral evasion strategies in cybersecurity.
Page 4
