Explanation:
This question addresses a common issue where a web browser displays old or "cached" information instead of the most current data from the website.

Why C is Correct:
The cache is a temporary storage location on your computer where a browser saves copies of web pages, images, and other content to load them faster on subsequent visits. If a form is displaying outdated credentials, it is highly likely the browser is loading an old, cached version of the page instead of fetching the current one from the web server. Clearing the cache forces the browser to download all the fresh, up-to-date files from the website, which should resolve the issue of seeing old, pre-filled form data. This is the most direct and logical first step.

Why A is Incorrect:
Changing the user profile might reset some settings, but it's an overly complex and indirect solution. The problem is almost certainly related to locally stored temporary files (the cache), not the user's profile configuration.

Why B is Incorrect:
Pop-up blockers prevent new browser windows from opening automatically. They have no effect on the content that is displayed within a webpage, such as pre-filled form data. This action is unrelated to the problem.

Why D is Incorrect:
Add-ons (or extensions) are third-party tools that add functionality to the browser. While a misbehaving add-on could cause various issues, outdated form data is a classic and specific symptom of a caching problem. Removing add-ons is a more advanced troubleshooting step and should not be the first action for this particular issue.

Reference:
This question falls under the Applications and Software domain of the ITF+ exam. It tests practical troubleshooting skills for common end-user issues, specifically understanding the function of the browser cache and knowing how to resolve problems caused by stale cached data.

Explanation:
A markup language is specifically designed to annotate text with tags that define the structure and presentation of the data. These tags are interpreted by a program (like a web browser) to format the text, rather than being compiled or executed as a series of procedural commands.

Examples:
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and XML (eXtensible Markup Language) are the most common examples. In HTML, tags like bold text or

This is a paragraph

Explanation:
Modern operating systems (like Windows, macOS, and Linux) contain a large database of generic device drivers. When the scanner was plugged in, the OS automatically installed a basic driver, which is why it was detected and could perform core functions (like a simple scan).

However, advanced features—such as the functionality of specific hardware buttons (e.g., "scan to PDF," "scan to email," "copy")—are controlled by specialized software and custom drivers provided by the device's manufacturer. This software is often called a "feature-rich driver" or a device-specific utility suite. Installing this software from the vendor's website is the definitive step to unlock the scanner's full functionality.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Roll back the device driver to a previous version:
This action is used to fix a problem where a device was working correctly until a driver update caused it to malfunction. In this scenario, the device is new and was never fully functional to begin with, so there is no previous, better driver to revert to.

B. Perform a test scan on the new device to the computer:
The problem is not that the device doesn't work at all; it's that its functionality is limited. A test scan would likely work for the basic function but would not resolve the issue of the non-responsive buttons. This step doesn't address the root cause (missing vendor software).

C. Update the computer's OS:
While a major OS update might sometimes include newer drivers, it is not the most direct or reliable solution. The vendor's website will always have the most recent and feature-complete software and drivers tailored specifically for that hardware model.

Reference:
This scenario falls under CompTIA ITF+ Objective 2.4: "Explain the purpose of common internal computing components." and general device management best practices. It highlights the difference between generic, built-in drivers provided by the OS and the full-featured drivers provided by the hardware vendor (also known as Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM drivers).

Explanation:
A variable is a fundamental concept in programming that acts as a named storage location in memory. Its primary purpose is to hold data (a value) that can be changed (updated, modified, or overwritten) while the program is running. This makes it the perfect tool for storing a value that needs to be updated periodically.
Example:
A programmer could create a variable named userScore to keep track of a player's points in a game. As the player earns more points, the code can update the value stored in the userScore variable (e.g., userScore = userScore + 10).

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Sequence:
This refers to the order in which statements are executed in a program (e.g., first do step A, then step B, then step C). It is a core programming concept but is not a container for storing data.

C. Loop:
A loop is a control structure that repeats a block of code multiple times until a certain condition is met (e.g., for loops, while loops). While a variable is often used within a loop to track the number of iterations or hold changing data, the loop itself is not the storage container.

D. Constant:
A constant is the opposite of a variable. It is a named value that is assigned once at the beginning of a program and cannot be changed or updated during execution. It is used for fixed values like pi = 3.14 or salesTaxRate = 0.08.

Reference:
This question tests knowledge from CompTIA ITF+ Objective 4.2: "Explain the value of data and information." and basic programming concepts. It distinguishes between data storage that can change (variables) and data storage that is fixed (constants).

Explanation:
Process management is a core function of an operating system (OS) that is responsible for creating, scheduling, terminating, and, most importantly, prioritizing processes (running programs). The OS uses a scheduler to allocate CPU time and other system resources among all running processes. It determines which process gets to use the CPU, for how long, and in what order, based on factors like priority levels assigned to the process, its resource demands, and system load. This ensures critical applications get the resources they need to run smoothly.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Application Management:
This is a broader, higher-level term that often refers to the installation, updating, and removal of user applications. It is not the low-level OS mechanism that handles the real-time prioritization of CPU cycles and memory allocation for running processes.

C. Access Management:
This refers to security functions such as user authentication (logins), authorization (permissions to access files or resources), and auditing. It controls who or what can use a resource, but not the priority of how those resources are allocated among running programs.

D. Device Management:
This function, handled by the OS's I/O subsystem, is responsible for controlling and communicating with hardware devices (e.g., printers, disk drives, keyboards) through their drivers. It manages the resources the devices provide but does not prioritize which program gets to use a device first; that falls to process management.

Reference:
This question directly relates to CompTIA ITF+ Objective 2.5: "Explain basic OS features and their functionality." A key feature of any multi-tasking OS is its ability to manage and prioritize processes to efficiently share the limited resources of the CPU and memory.

Explanation:
RAM (Random Access Memory) is a form of volatile memory. This means it requires a constant supply of electrical power to maintain the data stored within it. When the workstation is turned off, the power supply is cut, and all the data contained in RAM is immediately erased or reset. This is why you lose any unsaved work when a computer loses power unexpectedly.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. BIOS:
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware stored on a non-volatile memory chip (like flash memory or ROM) on the motherboard. Non-volatile memory does not require power to retain its data. Therefore, the BIOS settings and code remain intact when the computer is turned off. (Note: Some BIOS settings, like the system clock, are maintained by the CMOS battery when the main power is off).

B. NIC:
The NIC (Network Interface Card) is a physical hardware component. While its temporary operational state (like a dynamically assigned IP address) may be lost on shutdown, its physical configuration and firmware are stored in non-volatile memory and are not reset by a power cycle.

C. CPU:
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the physical processor that executes instructions. It does not store persistent data; it processes data stored elsewhere (like in RAM). Turning off the power simply stops the CPU from processing; it does not "reset" it in a way that changes its fundamental operation or identity.

Reference:
This question tests knowledge of fundamental hardware concepts from CompTIA ITF+ Objective 2.1: "Compare and contrast common computing devices and their purposes." A key distinction is between volatile memory (RAM) and non-volatile storage (Hard drives, SSDs, BIOS chips).

Explanation:
In information security, the AAA framework (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) is a core concept for managing user access. Accounting is the process of tracking and logging user activities and resource usage on a network or system. This includes recording events such as logon and logoff times, commands entered, files accessed, and the amount of data sent or received. Reviewing log files to track user logons is a direct example of the Accounting function.

Why the other options are incorrect:

B. Authorization:
This is the process that occurs after authentication. It determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do or which resources they are permitted to access (e.g., "User X can read this file but cannot delete it"). Tracking logons is not about determining permissions; it's about recording that the event happened.

C. Authentication:
This is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system, typically through credentials like a username and password, a fingerprint, or a smart card. The log file in the question is tracking the result of successful authentications (logons), but the act of reviewing the logs is not the authentication process itself.

D. Non-repudiation:
This is a security concept that prevents an individual from denying having performed a specific action. It provides undeniable proof that an action was taken by a particular user, often achieved through digital signatures and comprehensive audit logs (accounting). While accounting logs can be used to provide non-repudiation, the specific act of tracking and reviewing the number of logons is the accounting process itself.

Reference:
This question tests knowledge of the AAA security model, which is covered under CompTIA ITF+ Objective 5.2: "Compare and contrast authentication, authorization, accounting, and non-repudiation concepts."

Explanation:
In Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), an object is an instance of a class that contains both data and the procedures to manipulate that data.

A Method is a function or procedure defined within a class that describes the behaviors or actions that an object can perform. The action of "retrieving customer names from a database" is a specific behavior or task. Therefore, the code that performs this retrieval would be encapsulated within a method of the object (e.g., getCustomerNames()).

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Variable:
A variable is a named storage location that holds a data value. In the context of an object, variables are known as attributes or properties (e.g., customerName, customerID). They hold the state of the object, but they do not perform actions like retrieving data.

B. Attribute:
An attribute (or property) is a variable that defines a characteristic or piece of data belonging to an object (e.g., name, age, id). The retrieved customer names would likely be stored in an attribute, but the act of retrieving them from the database is an action, not a characteristic.

D. Looping: Looping is a programming construct (like a for or while loop) used to repeat a block of code multiple times. While a method might use a loop internally to process multiple records from the database, "looping" itself is not the object component responsible for the retrieval task. It is a technique used within a method.

Reference:
This question tests knowledge of basic Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts, which are part of CompTIA ITF+ Objective 4.1: "Compare and contrast programming language categories." Understanding the difference between an object's data (attributes) and its behaviors (methods) is fundamental to OOP.

Explanation:
Computer storage units follow a standard hierarchy based on bytes. Each unit is a multiple of the previous one. The order from smallest to largest is:

Byte (B) - The fundamental unit, typically representing a single character.

Kilobyte (KB) - 1,024 bytes (or approximately 1,000 bytes for simplicity).

Megabyte (MB) - 1,024 kilobytes (or approximately 1 million bytes).

Terabyte (TB) - 1,024 megabytes (or approximately 1 trillion bytes).

Petabyte (PB) - 1,024 terabytes (or approximately 1 quadrillion bytes).

Among the options provided (Petabyte, Terabyte, Kilobyte, Megabyte), the Kilobyte is the smallest unit.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Petabyte and B. Terabyte are vastly larger than a kilobyte (1 PB = 1,024 TB = 1,048,576 GB = 1,073,741,824 MB = 1,099,511,627,776 KB).

D. Megabyte is larger than a kilobyte (1 MB = 1,024 KB).

Reference:
This aligns with CompTIA ITF+ Objective 4.3: "Compare and contrast fundamental data types and their characteristics," which includes understanding data units and storage measurements.

Explanation:
A hypervisor, also known as a Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM), is the fundamental software, firmware, or hardware component that creates and runs virtual machines (VMs) on a physical host computer. It is the core technology that enables virtualization by abstracting the host's physical hardware (CPU, memory, storage, etc.) and allocating these resources to one or more isolated "guest" virtual machines.

Example:
Software like VMware Workstation, Oracle VirtualBox, and Microsoft Hyper-V are types of hypervisors that allow a user to run virtualization on a local workstation.

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. Guest OS:
This is the operating system that runs inside a virtual machine (e.g., Windows 10 running inside VirtualBox). It is a result of using virtualization technology, not the technology itself that enables it.

B. Cloud:
Cloud computing often uses virtualization on a massive scale in data centers. However, the question specifically asks about virtualization on a local workstation. The cloud is a deployment model or service, not the underlying technology that creates VMs on a single machine.

C. SaaS:
SaaS (Software as a Service) is a cloud computing model where applications are delivered over the internet (e.g., Gmail, Microsoft 365). It may be built on virtualized infrastructure in a data center, but it is not the technology used to enable virtualization on a user's local computer.

Reference:
This question tests knowledge from CompTIA ITF+ Objective 2.3: "Summarize the purpose and use of virtualization." A key takeaway is that the hypervisor is the essential software layer that makes virtualization possible.