- A
Phishing, because the attacker is trying to steal information through a deceptive message sent to a user.
Why wrong: Phishing is broad and often email-based, but this scenario specifically uses a text message on a mobile device.
- B
Smishing, because the attacker is using SMS or text messaging to trick the employee into taking an action.
Smishing is phishing delivered through text messaging. The attacker is impersonating an executive and creating urgency to pressure the employee into buying gift cards and revealing codes. That combination of mobile delivery, impersonation, and urgency fits a text-based social engineering attack.
- C
Vishing, because the attacker is using a phone call to pressure the employee into complying.
Why wrong: Vishing requires a voice call or voicemail, not a text message. The delivery channel in the scenario is SMS.
- D
Baiting, because the attacker is tempting the user with a reward in exchange for cooperation.
Why wrong: Baiting usually involves a lure such as a USB drive, free download, or promised reward. Here, the key tactic is impersonation through SMS.
Quick Answer
The answer is smishing, because the attack uses SMS or text messaging as the delivery vector to trick the employee into taking a harmful action. This is correct because smishing is a specific subset of phishing that relies on text messages rather than email, and the urgent request to buy gift cards exploits trust in authority—a classic social engineering tactic. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish attack types by their delivery method; a common trap is confusing it with vishing (voice calls) or spear phishing (targeted email). Remember the memory tip: “SMS = Smishing,” so if the message comes via text, think smishing first.
SY0-701 Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations. 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 help desk analyst receives a ticket stating that an employee got an urgent text message from someone claiming to be the CEO. The message asked the employee to buy gift cards and send the redemption codes immediately. What attack is most likely taking place?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Clue:
"immediately / without restart"Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
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
Smishing, because the attacker is using SMS or text messaging to trick the employee into taking an action.
Option B is correct because the attack uses SMS/text messaging as the delivery vector, which is the defining characteristic of smishing. The urgent request to buy gift cards and send redemption codes is a classic social engineering tactic designed to exploit the employee's trust in the CEO's authority, not to steal credentials or install malware directly.
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.
- ✗
Phishing, because the attacker is trying to steal information through a deceptive message sent to a user.
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is broad and often email-based, but this scenario specifically uses a text message on a mobile device.
- ✓
Smishing, because the attacker is using SMS or text messaging to trick the employee into taking an action.
Why this is correct
Smishing is phishing delivered through text messaging. The attacker is impersonating an executive and creating urgency to pressure the employee into buying gift cards and revealing codes. That combination of mobile delivery, impersonation, and urgency fits a text-based social engineering attack.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Vishing, because the attacker is using a phone call to pressure the employee into complying.
Why it's wrong here
Vishing requires a voice call or voicemail, not a text message. The delivery channel in the scenario is SMS.
- ✗
Baiting, because the attacker is tempting the user with a reward in exchange for cooperation.
Why it's wrong here
Baiting usually involves a lure such as a USB drive, free download, or promised reward. Here, the key tactic is impersonation through SMS.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse smishing with general phishing (Option A) because both involve deceptive messages, but the exam specifically tests the delivery vector—SMS vs. email—as the key differentiator for attack classification.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Phishing is broad and often email-based, but this scenario specifically uses a text message on a mobile device.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Smishing exploits the SMS protocol (GSM 03.38/03.40) and often uses URL shorteners or spoofed sender IDs (e.g., 'CEO') to bypass caller ID trust. In real-world scenarios, attackers may use SIM swapping or SMS gateways to send messages from seemingly legitimate numbers, making it harder for users to distinguish from genuine communications. The gift card request is a common 'CEO fraud' variant that targets the human tendency to comply with authority under time pressure.
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.
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
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
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All SY0-701 questions
1,152 questions across all exam domains
- →
Security+ SY0-701 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
SY0-701 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related SY0-701 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
General Security Concepts practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to General Security Concepts.
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations.
Security Architecture practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Architecture.
Security Operations practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Operations.
Security Program Management and Oversight practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security Program Management and Oversight.
Security+ social engineering questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ social engineering questions.
Security+ cryptography practice questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ cryptography.
Security+ IAM questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ IAM questions.
Security+ risk management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ risk management questions.
Security+ incident response questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ incident response questions.
Security+ malware questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ malware questions.
Security+ vulnerability management questions
Practise SY0-701 questions linked to Security+ vulnerability management questions.
Practice this exam
Start a free SY0-701 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — This question tests Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Smishing, because the attacker is using SMS or text messaging to trick the employee into taking an action. — Option B is correct because the attack uses SMS/text messaging as the delivery vector, which is the defining characteristic of smishing. The urgent request to buy gift cards and send redemption codes is a classic social engineering tactic designed to exploit the employee's trust in the CEO's authority, not to steal credentials or install malware directly.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "immediately / without restart". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SY0-701 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 SY0-701 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.