The answer is baiting, a social engineering attack where an attacker uses a tempting offer to trick a victim into performing a risky action. In this scenario, the USB drive labeled 'Employee Salary Info Q4' is the bait, deliberately left in the parking lot to exploit human curiosity and the desire for sensitive information. When the employee plugs the drive into their work computer, they unknowingly execute malware or grant the attacker access to the system. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish baiting from similar attacks like phishing (which uses digital messages) or tailgating (which relies on physical access). A common trap is confusing baiting with pretexting, but remember: baiting always involves a tangible lure or a digital download promise, while pretexting builds a false story. To lock it in, think of the mnemonic "Bait is a Lure, Pretext is a Lie"—the USB drive is the lure, not a fabricated identity.
220-1102 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.
An employee finds a USB drive labeled 'Employee Salary Info Q4' in the parking lot. Out of curiosity, they plug it into their work computer to see the contents. What type of social engineering attack is this an example of?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Baiting
This is baiting, where an attacker leaves a physical item (like a USB drive) in a location where it is likely to be found and used. The enticing label is the 'bait' that exploits human curiosity.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is typically electronic (email, websites). Baiting involves a physical object left to tempt the victim.
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Tailgating
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating involves following someone into a secure area. This scenario involves a found USB drive.
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Baiting
Why this is correct
Baiting exploits human curiosity or greed by offering something desirable. The USB drive with a tempting label is a classic baiting technique.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Pretexting
Why it's wrong here
Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario to obtain information. This scenario uses a physical object, not a story.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Tailgating involves following someone into a secure area. This scenario involves a found USB drive.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1202 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Social Engineering Attacks — This question tests Social Engineering Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Baiting — This is baiting, where an attacker leaves a physical item (like a USB drive) in a location where it is likely to be found and used. The enticing label is the 'bait' that exploits human curiosity.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1202 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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