Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst is investigating a phishing campaign that specifically targets senior executives in a company. The emails appear to come from the CEO and request urgent wire transfers to a fraudulent account. Which of the following best describes this type of attack?
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
Whaling
Correct. Whaling specifically targets senior executives or high-value individuals within an organization, often using urgent or authoritative requests to trick them into transferring money or revealing sensitive information.
B
Distractor review
Spear phishing
Incorrect. Spear phishing is a targeted phishing attack aimed at a specific individual or group, but it does not necessarily focus on executives. The attack in the question is specifically directed at senior executives, making whaling a more accurate term.
C
Distractor review
Vishing
Incorrect. Vishing (voice phishing) uses phone calls or voicemail to deceive victims. The described attack uses email, not voice communication.
D
Distractor review
Pharming
Incorrect. Pharming redirects users from legitimate websites to fraudulent ones, typically by exploiting DNS vulnerabilities or installing malware. The attack in the question relies on deceptive emails, not website redirection.
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: Whaling — This scenario describes whaling, a form of phishing that targets high-profile individuals such as executives or managers. Whaling emails are often crafted to appear as critical business communications, exploiting the authority of a senior figure to bypass normal security procedures. The other options are social engineering attacks but with different targets and methods: spear phishing is targeted phishing but not necessarily at executives; vishing uses voice calls; pharming redirects users to fake websites without requiring a deceptive email.
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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