- A
Smishing, because the attacker is using a text message with a link.
Why wrong: Smishing specifically uses SMS or text messages, not voicemail or live phone-based interaction.
- B
Vishing, because the attacker is using voice communication to pressure the user.
Vishing is voice-based social engineering, including phone calls and voicemail messages that try to pressure the target into revealing information. Requesting a one-time passcode is especially dangerous because it can let an attacker bypass MFA protections. The callback number is often used to appear legitimate and keep the victim engaged long enough to disclose sensitive data.
- C
Baiting, because the attacker is offering a reward to entice the user.
Why wrong: Baiting usually relies on an enticing object or offer, such as free media or a found USB device, rather than an urgent verification request.
- D
Pretexting, because the attacker invented a role and story.
Why wrong: Pretexting is part of the technique, but the delivery channel here is specifically voice, which makes vishing the best classification.
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 technician reviews a voicemail in which the caller claims to be from the security team, says the user will be locked out unless they read back a one-time passcode, and leaves a callback number. 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
Vishing, because the attacker is using voice communication to pressure the user.
Option B is correct because vishing (voice phishing) uses voice communication—such as phone calls or voicemails—to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. In this scenario, the attacker leaves a voicemail claiming to be from the security team and pressures the user to read back a one-time passcode, which is a classic vishing tactic that exploits trust and urgency over voice channels.
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.
- ✗
Smishing, because the attacker is using a text message with a link.
Why it's wrong here
Smishing specifically uses SMS or text messages, not voicemail or live phone-based interaction.
- ✓
Vishing, because the attacker is using voice communication to pressure the user.
Why this is correct
Vishing is voice-based social engineering, including phone calls and voicemail messages that try to pressure the target into revealing information. Requesting a one-time passcode is especially dangerous because it can let an attacker bypass MFA protections. The callback number is often used to appear legitimate and keep the victim engaged long enough to disclose sensitive data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Baiting, because the attacker is offering a reward to entice the user.
Why it's wrong here
Baiting usually relies on an enticing object or offer, such as free media or a found USB device, rather than an urgent verification request.
- ✗
Pretexting, because the attacker invented a role and story.
Why it's wrong here
Pretexting is part of the technique, but the delivery channel here is specifically voice, which makes vishing the best classification.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse vishing with smishing because both involve social engineering over digital communication, but the key differentiator is the medium: voice (voicemail/call) versus text message (SMS).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Vishing often leverages caller ID spoofing to display a legitimate number (e.g., from the company's security team), making the attack harder to detect. Attackers may also use voice-over-IP (VoIP) systems to automate calls and harvest one-time passcodes (OTPs) that are typically sent via SMS or authenticator apps, bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA) protections. In real-world scenarios, such attacks have been used to gain initial access to corporate VPNs or email accounts by tricking users into sharing time-based one-time passwords (TOTPs).
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
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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: Vishing, because the attacker is using voice communication to pressure the user. — Option B is correct because vishing (voice phishing) uses voice communication—such as phone calls or voicemails—to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. In this scenario, the attacker leaves a voicemail claiming to be from the security team and pressures the user to read back a one-time passcode, which is a classic vishing tactic that exploits trust and urgency over voice channels.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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