FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
A user receives an email that appears to be from their bank, asking them to click a link and verify their account details. The email contains urgent language and threats of account closure. What type of attack is this?
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
Phishing is a social engineering attack where attackers impersonate a legitimate entity to steal sensitive information.
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 is targeted; the scenario does not indicate targeting a specific individual.
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Smishing
Why it's wrong here
Smishing uses SMS, not email.
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Phishing
Why this is correct
Phishing exploits social engineering by masquerading as a trusted entity—here, the user’s bank—to trick the recipient into clicking a fraudulent link. The urgent language and threat of account closure create a false sense of crisis, bypassing rational scrutiny. This satisfies the constraint of unauthorised credential harvesting via deceptive communication, distinguishing it from technical exploits like malware injection.
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Vishing
Why it's wrong here
Vishing uses voice calls.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.