Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A SOC analyst is investigating an alert triggered when a user clicked a link in an email. The email appeared to be from a trusted vendor and included a PDF attachment with a macro, but the user did not run the macro. Upon reviewing the email headers, the analyst notices that the sender's domain is a common misspelling of the vendor's legitimate domain. Which of the following is the most direct indicator that this email is a phishing attempt?
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
Distractor review
The macro embedded in the PDF attachment
A macro can be malicious, but in this scenario the user did not run it, so it is not an active indicator of the phishing attempt. The presence of a macro is not itself proof of phishing, as legitimate documents may contain macros.
B
Best answer
The misspelled sender domain in the email headers
This is the strongest indicator because it directly shows the email's origin is fraudulent. Attackers register domains that are visually similar to legitimate ones to trick users. The domain mismatch confirms the email is not from the vendor.
C
Distractor review
The alert generated by the user clicking the link
The alert is the event that brought the incident to the analyst's attention, not an indicator of phishing itself. It simply records the user's action, which could happen with a legitimate link as well.
D
Distractor review
The email appeared to be from a known vendor
Phishing emails often impersonate trusted organizations to gain credibility. However, the email only 'appears' to be from the vendor; the domain misspelling reveals the deception. The appearance alone is not an indicator without supporting evidence.
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: The misspelled sender domain in the email headers — Phishing attacks often use domain spoofing or typosquatting to deceive recipients into thinking the email is from a legitimate source. The misspelled sender domain is a clear indicator of a phishing attempt because it shows the email is not actually from the trusted vendor. While the macro in the PDF could be malicious, the user did not run it, so it is not an active indicator. The alert itself is the event that triggered investigation, not an indicator of phishing. The email appearing to be from a known vendor is part of the deception, but the domain mismatch reveals the fraud.
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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