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220-1102 Practice Question: A user receives a text message on their…
This 220-1102 practice question tests your understanding of a user receives a text message on their…. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. A key principle to apply: smishing uses SMS (text messages) as the attack vector.. 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 text message on their company-issued smartphone. The message appears to be from the IT department and states that the user's email password will expire in 24 hours and they must click a link to renew it. The link leads to a website that looks identical to the company's login page. The user is suspicious and reports it. Which type of social engineering attack is this?
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 specifically refers to fraudulent emails, not text messages.
B
Distractor review
Vishing
Vishing uses voice calls to deceive victims, not text messages.
C
Best answer
Smishing
Smishing is phishing via SMS/text messages, which matches this scenario.
D
Distractor review
Whaling
Whaling targets senior executives or high-value individuals, not a general user.
Answer analysis
Why the other options are wrong
Understanding why incorrect options are tempting is as important as knowing the correct answer.
- ✗
Phishing
Phishing specifically refers to fraudulent emails, not text messages.
- ✗
Vishing
Vishing uses voice calls to deceive victims, not text messages.
- ✗
Whaling
Whaling targets senior executives or high-value individuals, not a general user.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often confuse smishing with general phishing because the underlying goal is similar, but the specific delivery method (text message) makes 'Phishing' too broad here.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
Smishing is a specific form of social engineering that leverages Short Message Service (SMS), commonly known as text messages, to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security. In this scenario, the attack vector is explicitly a text message received on a company-issued smartphone, making smishing the precise classification. The attacker's goal is to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy, mimicking a trusted source (the IT department) to induce the user to click a malicious link. This link then directs the user to a fake website designed to harvest credentials, appearing identical to the legitimate company login page. The key differentiator here is the use of SMS as the delivery mechanism, distinguishing it from other social engineering tactics. While the underlying malicious intent and the goal of credential harvesting are common across many social engineering attacks, the method of delivery is crucial for accurate classification in A+ contexts. The user's suspicion and reporting of the incident demonstrate good security hygiene, recognizing the red flags associated with unsolicited requests for sensitive information via text.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Smishing uses SMS (text messages) as the attack vector.
- It often involves urgent requests or security alerts.
- Smishing links typically lead to fake websites for credential harvesting.
- It exploits trust in familiar entities like IT departments.
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
Smishing uses SMS (text messages) as the attack vector.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1102 question test?
Smishing uses SMS (text messages) as the attack vector.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Smishing — Smishing (SMS phishing) is a social engineering attack conducted via text messages. The attacker impersonates a legitimate entity to trick the recipient into revealing credentials. Phishing is carried out via email. Vishing uses voice calls. Whaling targets high-profile individuals like executives. Since the attack vector is SMS, smishing is the correct classification.
What should I do if I get this 220-1102 question wrong?
Review smishing uses SMS (text messages) as the attack vector., then practise related 220-1102 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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More 220-1102 practice questions
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- A company requires employees to present both a smart card and a PIN to log into their workstations. Which authentication…
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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.