The correct answer is A. Remove unnecessary software. Removing software that is not needed is a device- hardening step. Unnecessary applications can increase the attack surface of a laptop, so removing them helps reduce vulnerabilities. Installing drivers may be required for hardware functionality, but it is not the best security improvement. Configuring backups helps with recovery, but it does not directly harden the device.
Benchmark testing measures performance, not security.
Exact Extract/Reference: The CompTIA Tech+ Study Guide explains that device hardening makes a device harder to exploit and includes "removing or disabling unused software and services." The guide's Chapter 11 lab also lists the task "Remove unwanted, unnecessary, or malicious software."

CPU speed is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz), indicating how many million or billion cycles the processor can execute per second.
"CPU performance is commonly measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz), representing the processor's clock speed." - CompTIA ITF+
* MB is for memory/storage size.
* Mbps is for network speed.
* MAC is a hardware address, not a performance metric.
Correct answer: A

A firewall can block traffic between workstations if it ' s not properly configured. If a user cannot connect from one device to another on the network, it is likely that the firewall settings are preventing this communication.
"Firewalls control the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. If improperly configured, they may block legitimate access between devices." - CompTIA ITF+ Study Guide Other options:
* B. Database - Not related to connectivity
* C. Anti-malware - Protects from malicious software, not network configuration
* D. Certificate - Used for secure communication, but not basic connectivity Correct answer: A

The least privilege model is a principle of giving users the minimum level of access needed to perform their roles. Removing unnecessary access aligns with this principle.
"Least privilege limits users to only the resources necessary for their duties, reducing the risk of unauthorized access." - CompTIA ITF+ Security Essentials Correct answer: A

The correct answer is A. Flowchart. A flowchart is used before coding to visually plan how a program flows from one step to the next. A linear sequence is a set of ordered logical steps, and a flowchart is designed to show that order clearly. Object-oriented programming is a programming model based on objects and classes, not a planning tool for a sequence. Branching is logic that chooses between paths, and Boolean is a true/false data type or result.
Exact Extract/Reference: The Tech+ Study Guide states that "A flowchart is a visual representation of a program that uses boxes to represent the logic" and that flowcharts help developers "visualize the flow of the program." It also states that flowcharts show the "order of operations within a program." The review answer confirms that "A flowchart is designed to depict visually the sequence of events and logic within a program."