The answer is pretexting. This is the correct choice because the attacker constructed a fabricated scenario—or pretext—by impersonating an IT staff member to create a false sense of urgency and authority, specifically requesting the receptionist’s password for a fake server update. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish pretexting from other social engineering attacks like phishing or vishing; a common trap is confusing it with vishing, but vishing is voice-based phishing that typically uses fear or reward, whereas pretexting relies on building a believable role and story. A key memory tip is to think of the word “pretext” as a “pre-written script” the attacker follows to act out a part—here, the part of an IT technician.
220-1202 Social Engineering Attacks Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of social engineering attacks. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A receptionist at a company receives a call from someone claiming to be from the IT department. The caller says they need her password to perform an urgent server update. The receptionist provides the password. What type of social engineering attack is this?
Why wrong: Tailgating involves following an authorized person into a restricted area without proper authentication. This scenario involves a phone call, not physical access.
B
Pretexting
Pretexting is when an attacker invents a plausible scenario to trick a victim into providing information or access. The caller's false identity as IT staff is a classic pretext.
C
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing typically uses electronic communication like email or fake websites. This attack was conducted over the phone, making pretexting a more accurate description.
D
Baiting
Why wrong: Baiting offers something enticing (like a free USB drive) to trick victims. This scenario involves a direct request for information, not an offer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Pretexting
This is a classic example of pretexting, where the attacker creates a fabricated scenario (pretext) to trick the victim into divulging sensitive information. The caller impersonated an IT staff member to establish trust and authority.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Tailgating
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating involves following an authorized person into a restricted area without proper authentication. This scenario involves a phone call, not physical access.
✓
Pretexting
Why this is correct
Pretexting is when an attacker invents a plausible scenario to trick a victim into providing information or access. The caller's false identity as IT staff is a classic pretext.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing typically uses electronic communication like email or fake websites. This attack was conducted over the phone, making pretexting a more accurate description.
✗
Baiting
Why it's wrong here
Baiting offers something enticing (like a free USB drive) to trick victims. This scenario involves a direct request for information, not an offer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Tailgating involves following an authorized person into a restricted area without proper authentication. This scenario involves a phone call, not physical access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Social Engineering Attacks — This question tests Social Engineering Attacks — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Pretexting — This is a classic example of pretexting, where the attacker creates a fabricated scenario (pretext) to trick the victim into divulging sensitive information. The caller impersonated an IT staff member to establish trust and authority.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related 220-1202 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A technician receives a call from someone claiming to be from the company's IT security team, asking for the administrator password to 'run a critical update.' The caller's voice sounds stressed and they mention a data breach. What should the technician do?
easy
A.Provide the password immediately to prevent a data breach.
✓ B.Ask for a callback number and verify it against the company directory.
C.Ignore the call because IT never calls about updates.
D.Change the password and give them the new one.
Why B: This is a classic social engineering attempt using urgency and authority to pressure the victim into divulging credentials. The correct response is to verify the caller's identity through official channels before providing any sensitive information.
Variation 2. A new employee is setting up their workstation and receives a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IT department. The caller says there is a critical security update and needs the employee's login credentials to install it remotely. What social engineering principle is the attacker primarily exploiting?
easy
A.Urgency
B.Scarcity
✓ C.Authority
D.Social proof
Why C: This scenario exploits the principle of authority, as the attacker impersonates a trusted IT department figure. Social engineers often use authority to bypass security protocols by making victims feel compelled to comply. The correct response is to never share credentials, regardless of who asks.
Variation 3. A technician is configuring a new employee's workstation. The employee mentions that a 'friendly IT guy' from the help desk called earlier and asked for their username and temporary password to 'pre-setup the account'. The employee provided the information. What should the technician do first?
medium
A.Proceed with the setup as planned, since the employee already provided the info.
✓ B.Reset the employee's password and report the incident to the security team.
C.Call the help desk to verify if they made the call.
D.Tell the employee it was likely a test and to ignore it.
Why B: This is a social engineering attack where the attacker posed as IT support. The technician should immediately report the incident to the security team and flag the account as compromised, as the credentials are now in the hands of an attacker.
Last reviewed: Jun 19, 2026
Question Discussion
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