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.
During a routine security audit, a technician discovers that an unknown person has been using a badge to enter the building after hours. The badge belongs to a former employee who left the company six months ago. Which type of social engineering attack likely enabled this unauthorized access?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Tailgating
This describes tailgating, where an attacker follows an authorized person into a secure area without proper credentials. The use of a former employee's badge suggests the attacker may have obtained it through theft or social engineering. Proper badge deactivation upon termination is a key countermeasure.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is a digital attack, not directly related to physical badge use.
✓
Tailgating
Why this is correct
Tailgating is the correct term for unauthorized physical access by following someone in, possibly with a stolen badge.
Dumpster diving involves searching trash for information, not directly using a badge for entry.
✗
Shoulder surfing
Why it's wrong here
Shoulder surfing is observing screens or keystrokes, not gaining physical entry.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: OSPF can fail even when IP connectivity looks correct
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
KKey Concepts to Remember
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Router ID selection can affect neighbour relationships and LSDB output.
OSPF cost influences the preferred path.
A route can appear in OSPF information but not become the installed route.
TExam Day Tips
→Check area mismatch first when OSPF adjacency fails.
→Review passive interfaces when a network is advertised but no neighbour forms.
→Use show ip ospf neighbor and show ip route clues carefully.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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 OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1202 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Social Engineering Attacks — This question tests Social Engineering Attacks — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Tailgating — This describes tailgating, where an attacker follows an authorized person into a secure area without proper credentials. The use of a former employee's badge suggests the attacker may have obtained it through theft or social engineering. Proper badge deactivation upon termination is a key countermeasure.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1202 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Question Discussion
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