Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A user receives a phone call from someone who claims to be a member of the company's IT support team. The caller states that the user's account has been compromised and requests the user's username, password, and the current multi-factor authentication (MFA) code to 'verify identity and secure the account.' 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
Distractor review
Spear phishing
Spear phishing is a targeted email attack that tricks the recipient into clicking a malicious link or opening an attachment. This question involves a phone call, not email.
B
Best answer
Vishing
Vishing (voice phishing) is a social engineering attack conducted over the phone. The attacker impersonates a trusted entity to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information such as passwords and MFA codes.
C
Distractor review
Pretexting
Pretexting is the act of creating a fabricated scenario (pretext) to obtain information, and it can be used across different communication channels. While the attacker does use a pretext in this scenario, 'vishing' is the more specific term when the attack occurs via phone. In the context of CompTIA Security+, vishing is the best answer because it directly identifies the medium (voice).
D
Distractor review
Tailgating
Tailgating is a physical security attack where an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area without proper credentials. This scenario involves a phone call, not physical access.
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: Vishing — This scenario describes a vishing attack, which is a form of social engineering conducted over the phone. The attacker uses a fabricated pretext (a security emergency) to pressure the victim into disclosing sensitive credentials and MFA codes. Unlike spear phishing, which is email-based, vishing relies on voice communication. Pretexting is the broader act of creating a fabricated scenario, but the specific medium (phone) and goal (obtaining passwords and MFA) make vishing the most precise term. Tailgating involves physical unauthorized entry, not phone calls.
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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