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220-1102 Practice Question: A user receives a phone call from an individual…
This 220-1102 practice question tests your understanding of a user receives a phone call from an individual…. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: vishing uses voice communication (phone calls) for social engineering.. 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 user receives a phone call from an individual claiming to be a member of the company's IT support team. The caller states that the user's email account has been compromised and requests the user's password to 'verify the account.' Which type of social engineering attack does this describe?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Phishing
Phishing is typically carried out via email, not voice calls.
B
Best answer
Vishing
Vishing is voice phishing, using phone calls to trick victims into revealing information.
C
Distractor review
Smishing
Smishing uses SMS/text messages, not voice calls.
D
Distractor review
Pretexting
Pretexting involves fabricating a scenario, but the phone-based method is specifically vishing.
Answer analysis
Why the other options are wrong
Understanding why incorrect options are tempting is as important as knowing the correct answer.
- ✗
Phishing
Phishing is typically carried out via email, not voice calls.
- ✗
Smishing
Smishing uses SMS/text messages, not voice calls.
- ✗
Pretexting
Pretexting involves fabricating a scenario, but the phone-based method is specifically vishing.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates might be tempted by 'Pretexting' because a fabricated scenario is used, but vishing is more specific due to the phone call.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Vishing, a portmanteau of 'voice' and 'phishing,' is a social engineering technique that leverages telephone calls to manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. In this scenario, the critical element is the use of a 'phone call' by the attacker to impersonate IT support and request a password. The attacker's fabricated story about a 'compromised email account' and the request for a password under the guise of 'verification' are classic vishing tactics designed to create urgency and bypass critical thinking. The attacker exploits the victim's trust in authority figures (IT support) and their concern for their account security to achieve their malicious goal. This direct, real-time interaction over the phone distinguishes vishing from other forms of social engineering. While pretexting involves creating a believable fabricated scenario, the specific delivery mechanism of a phone call is what categorizes this as vishing. Pretexting is often a component of vishing, phishing, or smishing, as it provides the 'story' for the attack. However, vishing specifically refers to the voice-based execution. Phishing, by contrast, primarily uses email as its vector, often containing malicious links or attachments. Smishing, similarly, uses SMS text messages. Therefore, the direct voice interaction over a phone call is the defining characteristic that makes vishing the precise classification for this attack.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Vishing uses voice communication (phone calls) for social engineering.
- Attackers often impersonate trusted entities like IT support or banks.
- The goal is typically to obtain sensitive information like passwords or financial details.
- Vishing exploits trust, urgency, and fear to manipulate victims.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Vishing uses voice communication (phone calls) for social engineering.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1102 question test?
Vishing uses voice communication (phone calls) for social engineering.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Vishing — Vishing (voice phishing) is a social engineering attack conducted over the phone, where the attacker impersonates a legitimate entity to extract sensitive information. Phishing is typically email-based. Smishing uses text messages. Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario, but vishing is the specific term for voice-based phishing.
What should I do if I get this 220-1102 question wrong?
Review vishing uses voice communication (phone calls) for social engineering., then practise related 220-1102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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This 220-1102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1102 exam.