Which of the following has MOST likely occurred?

A user receives a notification indicating the antivirus protection on a company laptop is out of date. A technician is able to ping the user’s laptop. The technician checks the antivirus parent servers and sees the latest signatures have been installed. The technician then checks the user’s laptop and finds the antivirus engine and definitions are current.

Which of the following has MOST likely occurred?

A. Ransomware

B. Failed OS updates

C. Adware

D. Missing system files

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

A. Ransomware – Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a device, rendering any files and the system itself unusable. This wouldn’t cause antivirus notifications to falsely report out-of-date definitions.

B. Failed OS updates – While OS updates are important for system functionality and security, failed updates wouldn’t typically cause a false antivirus notification.

C. Adware – Adware is a type of software that displays unwanted advertising, and it often uses misleading tactics. The notification indicating that the antivirus protection is out of date, despite evidence to the contrary, could be due to adware.

D. Missing system files – If system files were missing, it could cause a range of issues, but it wouldn’t be the most likely reason for a false antivirus notification.

Therefore, the most likely cause for the antivirus protection notification is adware.