FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
A user receives an email from their bank asking them to click a link and verify their account information. The email contains spelling errors and the sender's address looks suspicious. Which type of social engineering attack is this?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests the distinction between phishing (mass, generic) and spear phishing (targeted, personalized), so candidates may incorrectly choose spear phishing when the email is clearly generic.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Phishing
This is a phishing attack because it is a broad, untargeted email attempting to trick the recipient into clicking a link and providing account information. The presence of spelling errors and a suspicious sender address are classic indicators of phishing. Phishing typically targets many users indiscriminately, unlike spear phishing which is highly targeted.
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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Spear phishing
Why it's wrong here
Spear phishing targets a specific, researched individual with tailored content, whereas this email is a generic bulk lure sent to many recipients with no personalisation. Spear phishing would be correct if the attacker had referenced the user's real name, role or recent transactions to appear credible.
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Pretexting
Why it's wrong here
Pretexting is a fabricated scenario, typically by phone or in person, used to manipulate a victim into divulging information; this attack relies on a spoofed email and a malicious link, not an invented narrative. Pretexting would fit if the sender posed as IT support and talked the user through disclosing credentials.
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Vishing
Why it's wrong here
Vishing is voice phishing conducted over a telephone call, so it cannot describe an email containing a link. Vishing would be the correct answer if the user had received a phone call from someone claiming to be the bank's fraud team and was pressured into reading out a one-time code.
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Phishing
Why this is correct
Phishing is a fraudulent email impersonating a trusted entity, such as a bank, that lures the recipient into clicking a link and disclosing credentials. The suspicious sender address and spelling errors are classic phishing indicators, matching the stem's scenario precisely.
About these practice questions
One of 988 original FC0-U71 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.