The correct answer is phishing, specifically a form of spear phishing or whaling, because the attacker impersonates a high-level executive like the CEO to manipulate the target into taking a specific action—here, purchasing gift cards and replying with the codes. This attack exploits authority and urgency, bypassing technical defenses by relying on human error, and the slightly altered email address is a classic red flag of a spoofed sender. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish phishing from other social engineering types like vishing or pretexting; a common trap is confusing it with impersonation alone, but the key is the electronic delivery via email. Remember the memory tip: if it’s a fake email from a boss asking for gift cards, think “Phish the CEO, not the fish.”
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.
A user calls the help desk claiming they received an urgent email from the CEO asking them to purchase gift cards for a client and reply with the codes. The user is suspicious because the email address looks slightly off. What type of social engineering attack is this?
Why wrong: Shoulder surfing involves looking over someone's shoulder to obtain information, not sending deceptive emails.
B
Phishing
Phishing uses fraudulent communications, often email, to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or performing actions like purchasing gift cards.
C
Tailgating
Why wrong: Tailgating is a physical security breach where an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area.
D
Dumpster diving
Why wrong: Dumpster diving involves searching through trash for discarded documents or media containing sensitive information, not sending emails.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Phishing
This is a classic phishing attack, specifically a form of spear phishing or whaling, where the attacker impersonates a high-level executive to trick the victim into performing an action. The slight alteration in the email address is a common indicator of a spoofed sender.
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.
✗
Shoulder surfing
Why it's wrong here
Shoulder surfing involves looking over someone's shoulder to obtain information, not sending deceptive emails.
✓
Phishing
Why this is correct
Phishing uses fraudulent communications, often email, to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or performing actions like purchasing gift cards.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Tailgating
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating is a physical security breach where an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area.
✗
Dumpster diving
Why it's wrong here
Dumpster diving involves searching through trash for discarded documents or media containing sensitive information, not sending emails.
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.
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: Phishing — This is a classic phishing attack, specifically a form of spear phishing or whaling, where the attacker impersonates a high-level executive to trick the victim into performing an action. The slight alteration in the email address is a common indicator of a spoofed sender.
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.
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Question Discussion
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