Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A security analyst receives a phone call from an individual claiming to be a member of the IT help desk. The caller states that an emergency security update requires the analyst's password immediately, and the request sounds urgent. The analyst notices the caller's voice is unfamiliar and the background noise is inconsistent with an office environment. Which type of social engineering attack is being attempted?
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
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Phishing
Phishing is a social engineering technique carried out via email, text, or malicious websites, not over voice calls. This attack uses a phone call, so it is not phishing.
B
Best answer
Vishing
Vishing (voice phishing) is the correct answer because the attack uses a phone call to impersonate a legitimate entity and trick the victim into providing sensitive information, such as a password. The urgency and caller ID spoofing are common vishing tactics.
C
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Spear phishing
Spear phishing is a targeted email attack directed at a specific individual or organization, often using personal details. This scenario involves a phone call, not email, so it is not spear phishing.
D
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Pretexting
Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario (pretext) to obtain information, but it is a broader category that can be carried out via phone, email, or in person. However, when the attack is specifically conducted through a voice call, vishing is the more precise term used in cybersecurity. Pretexting is not incorrect in theory, but vishing is the standard classification for voice-based social engineering.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
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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
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Question 3
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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
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Vishing — This scenario describes an attempt to extract sensitive information over the phone by impersonating a trusted authority. Vishing (voice phishing) is the correct classification because the attack is conducted via voice call, using urgency and impersonation to trick the victim into revealing credentials. While pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario, the delivery method (phone) makes vishing the more specific and accurate term in this context. Phishing typically uses email or text, spear phishing is a targeted email attack, and pretexting is a broader category that could include phone but is not the standard term for voice-based attacks.
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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