Question 151 of 1,152

Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Mitigations →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The correct answer is pharming. This attack works by corrupting the DNS resolution process, so when a user types a legitimate URL, the compromised DNS server returns the IP address of a fraudulent site instead of the real one—exactly what happened when your internal DNS server was poisoned. Unlike phishing, which relies on a user clicking a deceptive link or email, pharming redirects victims automatically without any interaction, making it far more insidious. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between attacks that require user action (phishing) and those that subvert infrastructure (pharming). A common trap is confusing pharming with phishing because both lead to fake login pages, but remember: pharming hijacks the address book (DNS), while phishing tricks the user into taking a wrong turn. Memory tip: think “pharming = farm the DNS” to recall it involves poisoning the server that translates domains to IPs.

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 security analyst receives reports that several employees are being redirected to a fraudulent login page after typing the correct URL for a company application into their browser. Further investigation reveals that the company's internal DNS server has been compromised. Which type of attack best describes this scenario?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Read the full DNS explanation →

A
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing involves sending deceptive emails or messages that trick users into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. In this scenario, users typed the correct URL and were redirected, so no click on a malicious link occurred.
B
Spear phishing
Why wrong: Spear phishing is a targeted phishing attack aimed at specific individuals or groups. The scenario describes a DNS compromise affecting multiple employees, but there is no indication of targeted messaging or personalization.
C
Pharming
Pharming redirects users to fraudulent websites by compromising DNS servers or host files, even when the correct URL is entered. The DNS server compromise in this scenario is a classic pharming technique.
D
Vishing
Why wrong: Vishing (voice phishing) uses phone calls or voicemail to trick victims into revealing information. This scenario involves redirection through a compromised DNS server, not voice communication.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

Pharming

Pharming is correct because the attack redirects users from a legitimate website to a fraudulent one without their knowledge or interaction, typically by compromising the DNS resolution process. In this scenario, the internal DNS server has been compromised, so when employees type the correct URL, the DNS server returns the IP address of a fake login page instead of the real one. This is a classic example of DNS poisoning, a form of pharming.

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
Why it's wrong here
Phishing involves sending deceptive emails or messages that trick users into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. In this scenario, users typed the correct URL and were redirected, so no click on a malicious link occurred.
✗
Spear phishing
Why it's wrong here
Spear phishing is a targeted phishing attack aimed at specific individuals or groups. The scenario describes a DNS compromise affecting multiple employees, but there is no indication of targeted messaging or personalization.
✓
Pharming
Why this is correct
Pharming redirects users to fraudulent websites by compromising DNS servers or host files, even when the correct URL is entered. The DNS server compromise in this scenario is a classic pharming technique.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Vishing
Why it's wrong here
Vishing (voice phishing) uses phone calls or voicemail to trick victims into revealing information. This scenario involves redirection through a compromised DNS server, not voice communication.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates often confuse pharming with phishing because both involve fake login pages, but pharming does not require the user to click a link—it subverts the DNS resolution process, making it a technical infrastructure attack rather than a social engineering one.

Trap categories for this question

Scenario analysis trap
Phishing involves sending deceptive emails or messages that trick users into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. In this scenario, users typed the correct URL and were redirected, so no click on a malicious link occurred.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

DNS poisoning, also known as DNS cache poisoning, exploits vulnerabilities in the DNS protocol (e.g., lack of DNSSEC validation) to inject fraudulent A or AAAA records into a DNS resolver's cache. In a real-world scenario, an attacker could use a tool like dnsmasq or a compromised BIND server to redirect traffic for a specific domain, such as 'companyapp.com', to a malicious IP address hosting a cloned login page, often to harvest credentials for lateral movement or data exfiltration.

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.

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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: Pharming — Pharming is correct because the attack redirects users from a legitimate website to a fraudulent one without their knowledge or interaction, typically by compromising the DNS resolution process. In this scenario, the internal DNS server has been compromised, so when employees type the correct URL, the DNS server returns the IP address of a fake login page instead of the real one. This is a classic example of DNS poisoning, a form of pharming.

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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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