Complete CompTIA A+ Core2: From Zero to Certified

Learn to manage Windows using the management console, covering user and policy management, disk and device management, partitions, drivers, and software installation, plus performance tools and basic command line usage.

Navigate the Windows 11 device manager in the computer management console to view devices, update and rollback drivers via Windows Update or optional updates, and disable, uninstall, or enable devices.

Explore the disk management console to view disks, create and delete partitions, format drives with NTFS or Fat32, and manage boot and recovery volumes.

Learn how disk maintenance tools optimize hard drives by defragmenting and relocating file data to improve read times, and using disk cleanup to remove unnecessary files and cache.

Learn to automate tasks in windows using the task scheduler, set triggers, run scripts or programs on schedule, and configure credentials.

Manage local users and groups via the computer management console, create and delete accounts, set passwords, and assign group memberships to inherit permissions.

Learn to manage certificates and authorities, including root certificates, in browsers and networks, and enforce password policies via group policy editor and registry edits.

Learn to use the Windows task manager to monitor background and running processes, end tasks, and view performance metrics for CPU, memory, disk, and GPU usage, with shortcuts like Ctrl+Shift+Esc.

Learn how to manage startup programs and services in Task Manager, inspect resource usage with Resource Monitor (memory, disk, CPU, network), and monitor performance with PerfMon and data collectors.

Configure the system with the system configuration utility, msconfig, to select normal, selective, or boot startup and enable safe mode with or without a graphical interface, while controlling services.

Explore command line tools, run as administrator, use syntax and switches, navigate with cd and dir, copy with copy and xcopy, and manage disks with diskpart.

Explore Windows and Mac OS as client operating systems, including network, home, and tablet variants. Review Windows editions, version histories, and server options, and note Mac OS compatibility.

Explore Unix, Linux, and Chrome OS as major operating systems and their open source licensing. Review Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora alongside server, client, and embedded use.

Explore common file systems across operating systems, including NTFS for Windows and FAT for legacy and removable media. Compare ext variants in Linux and APFS with journaling and encryption.

Learn the vendor life cycle and hardware compatibility for operating systems, including Windows 11 requirements (TPM 2.0, supported processors), system and software compatibility, and end-of-life considerations.

Compare windows editions from 32-bit to 64-bit architectures and explore home, pro, enterprise, education, and OEM licensing options. Explore domain, workgroup options and security features such as BitLocker.

Install and upgrade operating systems using clean, attended, or unattended methods, set up bootable media and virtual environments, and troubleshoot Windows issues.

Learn to install and configure applications by checking system requirements, 32-bit vs 64-bit compatibility, OS support, and installer types (exe, msi, dmg, pkg, rpm, apt, yum) with an OpenOffice example.

Explore wired and wireless network connection types in Windows, including how to use a network interface card, identify SSIDs, and join networks with passwords.

Identify devices on a network with IP addresses and MAC addresses as logical and physical identities. Learn IPv4 and IPv6, subnet masks, default gateway, DNS server settings, and use ipconfig.

Configure a Windows client IP manually via VLAN settings—IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS—or enable automatic DHCP via a router's DHCP server, with alternative configuration for two networks.

Learn how network location settings distinguish private and public networks, control discoverability and file sharing, and configure Windows firewall settings to protect your computer from external access.

Configure vpn and proxy settings in Windows to establish encrypted connections, specify vpn type and ip address, and set up proxy servers for content filtering and caching.

Learn to diagnose and fix network connectivity in Windows by checking IP configuration (DHCP vs static), releasing and renewing IP addresses, and using ping, DNS flush, and network reset techniques.

Troubleshoot remote network connectivity by running tracert to 8.8.8.8, map hop-by-hop routes through multiple routers, identify the default gateway, and assess latency with ping.

Learn to troubleshoot DNS issues using nslookup to verify A records, MX records, and NS records, and diagnose firewall and port problems with netstat options.

Explore logical security controls within Windows security settings, including authentication, authorization, and accounting, and apply access control lists and least privilege concepts to protect resources.

Explore how user accounts and groups define access, including local and Microsoft accounts, group types like administrator and guest, and how user account control settings manage privilege escalation.

Explore authentication methods such as password, pin, fingerprint, voice, and OTP, and learn how multi-factor authentication uses two or more factors for sign-in and Windows login options.

Explain Windows domains and Active Directory, including domain names, domain controllers, and Kerberos single sign-on, enabling cross-computer logins within an organization under administrator-managed accounts.

Deploy centralized group policies and login scripts from the domain controller to all domain computers, then use mobile device management to register devices and secure network access.

Set up and manage workgroup sharing in Windows, switch between domain and workgroup names, and enable network discovery and file and printer sharing for peer-to-peer access.

Configure folder sharing and NTFS permissions, map network drives, connect printers, and join domains via a domain controller, with roaming profiles and home folders for domain users.

Explore Linux basics, focusing on command line and graphical interfaces, and compare distros like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Kali Linux, including server and cybersecurity use cases.

Explore how the Linux shell provides a command line interface inside the terminal. Switch between multiple terminals with ctrl+alt+f1 through f6 and note the X.Org server's desktop environments.

Master the Linux command interface with ls options like -a, -l, and --help, and practice tab completion and man pages. Understand case sensitivity and basic editing with nano.

Learn Linux file system navigation and search commands, from the root slash to home, using pwd, ls, cat, find, grep, and man to locate and inspect files.

Learn to manage files with commands: copy with cp (rename during copy), remove with rm, and view disk space and usage with df and du -h.

Learn to switch between users using the esc command, check root vs normal prompts, and manage users and groups with useradd, userdel, groupadd, and groupdel.

Learn how to view and modify file permissions with ls -l, using chmod to set read, write, and execute for owner, group, and others, and use chown and chgrp ownership.

Master package management across Linux distributions, using apt on Debian-based systems and yum/dnf on Fedora, with update, upgrade, dist-upgrade, install, and remove workflows and repositories.

Master Linux commands for process monitoring with top and its memory, CPU details; manage network settings with IP, nslookup, and dig; schedule backups with tar, gzip, and cron.

Explore macos features, including the dock, spotlight search, terminal (bash and zsh), mission control with multiple desktops, and system preferences, plus trackpad gestures and display accessibility options.

Explore macOS security and user management, including Apple ID login, privacy settings, and app permissions for location and camera, plus keychain, password manager, and file vault encryption.

Explore macOS app installation and management using finder, iCloud, and App Store; learn to install dmg or pkg packages, uninstall apps, and keep macOS updated with software updates.

Master macOS network and system settings to enable reliable communication with devices and networks, configure IP and DNS, manage DHCP, IPv6, proxies, and use Time Machine backups with APFS formatting.

Explore configuring a soho network for home use, including router and wireless setup. Identify attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities and apply wireless security protocols to secure the network.

Explore information security concepts, including the CIA triad, security assessment, vulnerabilities, threats, internal and external threats, attack vector, threat actors, and risk.

Explore how vulnerabilities form from insecure coding, misconfigurations, and outdated systems, and learn security baselines, hardening, vulnerability scanning, antivirus, updates, and BYOD risks.

Understand social engineering attacks that manipulate trust through impersonation, dumpster diving, shoulder surfing, tailgating, and piggybacking, and learn how to prevent information leaks with proper credential handling and shredding.

Explore phishing and related social engineering attacks, including spoofed websites, spoof emails and messages, vishing, spear phishing, whaling, and evil twin spoof access points.

Differentiate internal and external threats, describing malicious and unintentional actions, footprinting, spoofing, on-path attacks, and DDoS with botnets. Explain defenses such as web application firewall and ids.

Explain how password attacks obtain plaintext passwords, why hashes protect storage (md5, sha-1, sha-256), and how dictionary and brute-force attacks crack them, stressing strong passwords.

Explore how cross-site scripting and sql injection compromise web applications, distinguish non-persistent and persistent xss, emphasize input validation, and demonstrate how attackers manipulate queries to access or alter data.

Learn hashing as one-way encryption that proves integrity and encryption as transforming plaintext into ciphertext with a key; compare symmetric and asymmetric schemes using public and private keys for https.

Explore how digital signatures ensure authenticity and integrity using hashing, private and public keys, and key exchange to securely sign, verify, and protect data.

Explore wireless security protocols, including open networks and WPA, WPA2, and WPA3, and how encryption with AES or TKIP protects data through the four-way handshake.

Examine wifi authentication methods, including open, personal with a password, and enterprise with radius server and EAP, using 802.1x, TLS, and WPA2/WPA3 key exchanges.

Radius, Tacacs, and Kerberos enable enterprise authentication and authorization with Active Directory and LDAP for directory communications, supporting single sign-on through AD.

Learn to configure a home router's security, including WPA/WPA2 encryption and authentication options, and perform setup steps such as accessing via management IP, changing the default password, and updating firmware.

Configure home network by setting up a wireless LAN SSID with WPA2-PSK, choose secure password, and adjust firewall, port forwarding, and inbound filtering for a static or DHCP reservation IP.

Explore upnp security risks, why disabling upnp is often necessary, and how screened subnet, firewalls, and a dmz protect a soho network.

Implement physical security across premises, including perimeter security, access control, alarms, surveillance cameras, and lighting; use punch cards, biometrics, pins, and smart cards to protect servers.

Configure the workstation and its security, including browser security, to protect mobile devices, PCs, and corporate systems. Learn to troubleshoot issues that arise during enabling or deploying security.

Enforce strong Windows workstation security with 12+ character passwords, mixed case, numbers, and symbols, avoid personal names, and enforce password expiration and bios password protection.

Learn end user best practices for securing devices and data, including logging off, locking screens, using VPN in public spaces, protecting passwords, and enforcing a clean desk and encryption.

Manage user accounts within the organization, assigning file and system permissions for basic, development, and administrator tasks. Learn about administrator and guest accounts, uac, root privileges, and avoiding shared accounts.

Configure account policy and execution control, including logon hours, failed attempts, and password resets via secure methods. Manage trusted software sources, download methods, and autoplay with UAC prompts.

Learn how Windows Defender antivirus detects infections using signatures and updates, perform quick scans, manage settings, and apply firewall rules to protect traffic and control applications.

Discover how to protect data at rest with EFS and BitLocker encryption, encrypt drives and folders, store the BitLocker key, and unlock data only with the correct password.

Configure browser security by choosing trusted browsers, downloading from official sources, managing extensions, enabling TLS/HTTPS, cookies controls, and using Malwarebytes and VirusTotal.

Explore malware vectors and payloads, including boot sector viruses, trojans, worms, fileless malware, backdoors, keyloggers, ransomware, and crypto miners.

Identify malware symptoms such as slow performance, crashes, and suspicious alerts; quarantine the infected system and remediate with anti-malware tools such as Malwarebytes, safe mode scans, system restore, and education.

Explore mobile operating systems, software types, trusted sources, installation and uninstallation, and how to manage and troubleshoot mobile OS security and apps.

Enable a screen lock on your mobile and use antivirus security software, OS updates, and VPN to defend against malware, trojans, ransomware, and cryptominer threats.

Learn how enterprise mobility management uses mobile device management to enroll devices, enforce apps and security, and apply updates across BYOD, Kobo, corporate owned, and choose-your-own-device models.

Explore mobile encryption basics for iOS and Android, remote backups and remote wipe, and IoT security risks from default configurations and weak passwords.

Troubleshoot mobile OS and app issues through rebooting, managing notifications, and closing background tasks. Learn to use resets, clear caches, update or reinstall apps, and check compatibility and connectivity.

Explore how root access and sandboxing govern mobile app data, defend against jailbreaking and app spoofing, and use MDM and trusted sources for enterprise app deployment.

Learn remote support and scripting tools to troubleshoot issues, access systems remotely, back up and restore data, and understand data handling laws and scripting basics.

Explore how to access remote systems using tools like RDP and VNC, including IP addresses, domain names, and security considerations.

Learn secure shell basics, configure SSH on Linux (port 22), connect from Windows with PuTTY, and review authentication methods such as password or public key.

Explore backup and recovery practices, setting up backups with local, network, or cloud locations. Explain full, incremental, and differential methods and their impact on frequency and retention.

Learn media rotation for backups using the grandfather-father-son model with weekly, daily, and hourly plans, and compare online versus offline and on-site versus off-site strategies.

Regularly test backups and recover data from alternate locations, verify integrity with hash matching, and monitor configurations to include new folders and file history.

Learn to collect, store, share, and dispose data under regulated classifications such as PII, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, and understand retention, EULA terms, and licensing basics.

Respond to incidents by isolating affected hosts, documenting scope, and preserving data integrity through forensic imaging, hashing, and chain-of-custody records for legal submission.

Explore data destruction, disposal, and recycling methods for hard drives, including secure erase, crypto erase, shredding, incineration, degassing, and outsourcing with certification.

Explore scripting fundamentals by contrasting it with full programming, and learn to create script files using shell and PowerShell, with variables, comments, conditionals, loops, and the shebang.