If you are getting ready for a career as an entry-level information technology (IT) professional or computer service technician, the CompTIA® A+® (Exam 220-902) course is one of the first steps in your preparation. The course will build on your existing user-level knowledge and experience with personal computer (PC) software and operating systems to present fundamental skills and concepts that you will use on the job. In this course, you will acquire the essential skills and information you will need to install, configure, optimize, troubleshoot, upgrade, secure, and perform preventive maintenance on PC and digital device operating systems.

The CompTIA A+ (Exam 220-902) course can benefit you in two ways. Whether you work or plan to work in a mobile or corporate environment where you have a high level of face-to-face customer interaction, where client communication and client training are important, or in an environment with limited customer interaction and an emphasis on application, operating system, and security-related activities, this course provides the background knowledge and skills you will require to be a successful A+ technician. It can also assist you if you are preparing to take the CompTIA A+ certification examination, 2016 objectives (exam number 220-902), in order to become a CompTIA A+ Certified Professional.

In this course, you will install, configure, optimize, troubleshoot, repair, upgrade, and perform preventive maintenance on personal computers, digital devices, and operating systems.

You will:

• Identify the basic components and functions of operating systems.
• Identify networking and security fundamentals.
• Identify the operational procedures that should be followed by professional PC technicians.
• Install and configure Microsoft Windows.
• Optimize and maintain Microsoft Windows.
• Work with other operating systems.
• Identify network technologies.
• Configure networking capabilities.
• Support mobile digital devices.
• Identify security threats, vulnerabilities, and controls.
• Implement security controls.
• Troubleshoot system-wide issues.

Lesson 1: Operating System Fundamentals

Topic A: PC and Mobile Operating Systems

Topic B: PC Operating System Tools and Utilities

Lesson 2: Networking and Security Fundamentals

Topic A: Common Network Services

Topic B: Cloud Concepts

Topic C: Security Fundamentals

Lesson 3: Safety and Operational Procedures

Topic A: Basic Maintenance Tools and Techniques

Topic B: Personal and Electrical Safety

Topic C: Environmental Safety and Materials Handling

Topic D: Professionalism and Communication

Topic E: Organizational Policies and Procedures

Topic F: Troubleshooting Theory

Lesson 4: Installing and Configuring Microsoft Windows

Topic A: Implement Client-Side Virtualization

Topic B: Install Microsoft Windows

Topic C: Use Microsoft Windows

Topic D: Configure Microsoft Windows

Topic E: Upgrade Microsoft Windows

Lesson 5: Optimizing and Maintaining Microsoft Windows

Topic A: Optimize Microsoft Windows

Topic B: Back Up and Restore System Data

Topic C: Perform Disk Maintenance

Topic D: Update Software

Lesson 6: Working With Other Operating Systems

Topic A: The OS X Operating System

Topic B: The Linux Operating System

Lesson 7: Networking Technologies

Topic A: TCP/IP

Topic B: Internet Connections

Lesson 8: Configuring Networking Capabilities

Topic A: Configure Basic Windows Networking

Topic B: Configure Windows Proxy and Firewall Settings

Topic C: Using Windows Networking Features

Lesson 9: Supporting Mobile Digital Devices

Topic A: Mobile Device Accessories and Ports

Topic B: Mobile Device Connectivity

Topic C: Mobile Device Synchronization

Lesson 10: Security Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Controls

Topic A: Common Security Threats and Vulnerabilities

Topic B: General Security Controls

Topic C: Mobile Security Controls

Topic D: Data Destruction and Disposal Methods

Lesson 11: Implementing Security Controls

Topic A: Secure Operating Systems

Topic B: Secure Workstations

Topic C: Secure SOHO Networks

Topic D: Secure Mobile Devices

Lesson 12: Troubleshooting System-Wide Issues

Topic A: Troubleshoot PC Operating Systems

Topic B: Troubleshoot Mobile Device Operating Systems and Applications

Topic C: Troubleshoot Common Security Issues

Appendix A: Mapping Course Content to CompTIA A+ Certification Exam 220-902

Appendix B: A+ Command Reference

Appendix C: A Brief History of Personal Computers

This course is designed for individuals who have basic computer user skills and who are interested in obtaining a job as an entry-level IT technician. This course is also designed for students who are seeking the CompTIA A+ certification and who want to prepare for the CompTIA A+ 220-902 Certification Exam.

To become CompTIA A+ certified, you need to take and pass both exam 220-901 and 220-902.

To ensure your success in this course, you should have basic computer user skills, be able to complete tasks in a Microsoft® Windows® environment, be able to search for, browse, and access information on the Internet, and have basic knowledge of computing concepts. You can obtain this level of skills and knowledge by taking any introductory computing course from Logical Operations, such as:

• Using Microsoft ®Windows® 10