Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A person wearing a contractor badge asks reception to let them into the office because they forgot their access card and say they are expected for a server maintenance visit. What social engineering technique is most likely?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Best answer
Pretexting
Pretexting uses a fabricated story or identity to gain trust and access. In this case, the person invents a maintenance visit and forgotten badge story to convince reception to grant entry.
B
Distractor review
Baiting
Baiting depends on offering something tempting, like free software or a found USB device, to lure the target.
C
Distractor review
Smishing
Smishing is text-message phishing, so it would not describe an in-person request at reception.
D
Distractor review
Ransomware
Ransomware is malware that encrypts data and demands payment, not a social engineering identity claim.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Pretexting — Pretexting is the best answer because the attacker is creating a believable story to manipulate the receptionist into granting access. The badge, contractor role, and maintenance excuse are all part of the false pretext. This is a common social engineering method because it focuses on trust and plausible context instead of technical exploitation. Why others are wrong: Baiting would involve leaving something enticing for the victim to use, not asking for entry. Smishing is limited to text-message attacks. Ransomware is malware, so it does not fit a face-to-face deception attempt. The key clue is the invented story used to bypass normal access controls, which is pretexting.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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