CompTIA A+ Certification Prep 3: Network/Security

The CompTIA A+ Certification Prep 3: Networking/Security course focuses on keeping our networks and systems secure from outside threats and how to troubleshoot issues as they appear.

If you want to jumpstart your career with your first tech support job, this third and final course in our CompTIA prep series is a necessary component to prepare you for the A+ certification exam successfully.

According to CompTIA, getting your A+ certification can lead to a rewarding IT career—with average salaries...

6 Weeks / 24 Course Hrs

Starting July 16, 2025

Offered in partnership with your preferred school

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

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Learning method

Self-Guided

$140

No instructor. Study on your own schedule

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Instructor-Moderated

$140

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Starting July 16 | August 13

Details + Objectives

Course code: ac3

The CompTIA A+ Certification Prep 3: Networking/Security course focuses on fun and practical technology. You will learn how to select, install, and service sound and display components, and how to set up, maintain, and troubleshoot wired and wireless networks.

During this network/security training, you will also learn about many aspects of PC and network security and discover how to configure and troubleshoot tablets and smartphones.

Note: This CompTIA A+ Prep 3 course completes the three-course CompTIA A+ certification exam prep series that is needed to prepare you for both the 220-1101/1102 exams and your career as a certified technician.

What you will learn

Learn how to install and troubleshoot video technologies properly
Understand how to upgrade, manage, maintain, and repair portable computing devices
Learn the essentials of networking, including local area networking and wireless networking
Discover the best ways to keep your network secure
Understand how to work with mobile devices

How you will benefit

Prepare for both the 1101/1102 CompTIA A+ Certification Exams
Complete the third and final course needed to prepare for your CompTIA A+ certification
Open the door to new opportunities as a technician once certification is achieved

How the course is taught

Instructor-Moderated or Self-Guided online course
6 Weeks or 3 Months access
24 course hours

Outline

In this first lesson, you'll learn the details of monitors—standard desktop and projectors—and video cards. You'll learn how they work and function together to produce the display you see, and how to install and troubleshoot them.

In this lesson, you'll delve into the details of multimedia. You'll explore how sound works in a digital environment, examine all the components that work to record and play back video, and learn how 3D graphics work.

In this lesson, you'll examine the many features of portable computers. You'll explore the many ways to expand the capabilities of portables, from connecting to external monitors to docking stations. You'll also look at how to upgrade, manage, maintain, repair, and troubleshoot them.

In this lesson, you'll be introduced to the essentials of networking. You'll explore topics such as network hardware and topologies and learn about Ethernet, coaxial and fiber cabling technologies, and more.

In this lesson, you'll delve deeper into networking. You'll learn about the TCP/IP protocol and how to install, configure, and troubleshoot a basic network.

In this lesson, you'll explore wireless technologies, starting with the basics, such as components, software, modes, security, speed, and range. You'll learn about wireless networking standards, such as radio wave and infrared networks. You'll finish the lesson with a look at installing, configuring, and troubleshooting wireless networks.

Get ready to take the networking covered in previous lessons and expand it to fill the Internet. You'll start by learning how the Internet works and then examine the various connection types to get onto the Internet. The lesson will be wrapped up with a discussion of how you actually connect.

In this lesson, you'll continue to dig further into the nuts and bolts of how the Internet works at the software layer, including the application and utility protocols, Internet applications, and cloud-computing services.

This lesson will teach you how to maintain security hygiene. You'll discover the many threats faced and then dive into access-control techniques. You'll also learn about topics like data classification, compliance, and reporting procedures.

In this lesson, you'll jump into security aspects in the big bad world; specifically, threats from outside your network. You'll look at malicious software types and how to deal with them. You'll also learn what protections you should establish networkwide. The knowledge in this lesson is invaluable to you as both a tech and for the CompTIA A+ certification exams.

In this lesson, you'll learn about the features and capabilities of smartphones and tablets, as well as the mobile operating systems that power them. You'll also explore common configuration techniques for working with mobile devices.

In this final lesson, you'll wrap up the trio of CompTIA A+ exam prep courses by learning how to troubleshoot and secure mobile device hardware, operating systems, and apps.

Instructors & Support

Mike Meyers

Mike Meyers, also known as the "Alpha Geek," is widely recognized as the leading authority on CompTIA Certifications in the industry. He co-founded Total Seminars, LLC and National Cyber Group, LLC, and has been providing PC and network repair seminars, books, videos, and courseware to thousands of organizations worldwide. With his extensive experience in the computer and network repair industry since 1987, Mike has worked as a technician, instructor, author, consultant, and speaker.

Mike is the author of several popular PC books and videos, including the best-selling CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide and CompTIA Network+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide. He also serves as the series editor for the highly successful Mike Meyers' Certification Passport series and the Mike Meyers' Guide to series. Mike has sold over a million IT and certification books.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course. However, you need to complete CompTIA® A+ Certification Prep 1: Hardware and CompTIA® A+ Certification Prep 2: Software before attempting this final course installment needed to prepare for your A+ certification exam successfully.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
A Windows PC that you can experiment on. You will probably want to remove/install various devices, such as video, sound, and modems. Because of the dangers of electro-static discharge (to the machine, not the student), however, we do not require you to tear apart your own primary computer. This is a class that trains you to be a technician - having a machine to play with greatly helps your learning.

Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 8 or later.
Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

FAQ

Instructor-Moderated: A new session of each course begins each month. Please refer to the session start dates for scheduling.

Self-Guided: Your course begins immediately after you enroll.

Instructor-Moderated: Once a course session starts, two lessons will be released each week for the 6 week duration of your course. You will have access to all previously released lessons until the course ends. You will interact with the instructor through the online discussion area. There are no live sessions or online meetings with the instructor.

Self-Guided: You have 3 months of access to the course. After enrolling, you can learn and complete the course at your own pace, within the allotted access period. You will have the opportunity to interact with other students in the online discussion area.

Instructor-Moderated: The interactive discussion area for each lesson automatically closes two weeks after each lesson is released, so you're encouraged to complete each lesson within two weeks of its release. However, you will have access to all lessons from the time they are released until the course ends.

Self-Guided: There is no time limit to complete each lesson, other than completing all lessons within the allotted access period. Discussion areas for each lesson are open for the entire duration of the course.

Instructor-Moderated: Students enrolled in a six-week online class benefit from a one-time, 10-day extension for each course. No further extensions can be provided beyond these 10 days.

Self-Guided: Because this course is self-guided, no extensions will be granted after the start of your enrollment.

Reviews

As a mother, wife, full time worker and student, these courses seem to be custom tailored for my neeeds. Outstanding!

I now have taken all of the online courses for the A+. I am going to study a little further and hopefully get that certification soon! These three courses had a lot of good information. It got in depth with a lot of topics, which I found great. Good course overall!

I've taken all three A+ Certification courses and have enjoyed them all. This course was exactly what I needed, because I live and work in two different states and am unable to attend a classroom based course, due to my work schedule. I feel confident in my ability to pass the A+ exams with just a little more studying and review. And because of this I'll be back for the Network+ certification course.

Scott is an excellent instructor! I have learned much in his 3 A+ classes and feel confident that I will easily pass the A+ exams.

Scott was an attentive and knowledgeable instructor with a writing style surpassing all other A+ Certification Preparation authors. The course was of great value to me. Thank you Scott!

Thanks for the opportunity to participate in this on line class. It was very informative and I feel that I will be successful in passing my A+ test because of the knowledge I gained in this class. Thanks again!

Thank you for this course! It was very flexible with my hours, and gave me enough time to complete my class work. I would recommend this to any one who doesn't have time for on campus training or a limited budget!

Very good class. I have learned a great deal and have been able to apply my skills appropriately due to your course. Thank you very much.

Very good course. By far the most challenging of the three.