The answer is an evil twin attack. This is correct because the attacker deployed a rogue access point broadcasting the same SSID as the legitimate "CorpWiFi" network, which was offline due to the outage. When employees’ phones automatically attempted to reconnect to a known SSID, they associated with the attacker’s device, which then presented a fake captive portal to capture login credentials—this is the classic distinction between an evil twin attack vs rogue access point: the evil twin specifically mimics a trusted network to deceive clients, while a rogue AP is any unauthorized device plugged into the network. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless authentication and association attacks, often appearing in a "choose the attack type" question where the key clue is that the legitimate AP is offline and the attacker’s device captures traffic. A common trap is confusing this with a rogue AP, but remember: an evil twin is a rogue AP that impersonates a trusted SSID. Memory tip: "Evil twin = twin SSID, rogue AP = unauthorized plug."
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.
After a facilities outage, multiple employees report that their phones automatically joined a network named "CorpWiFi" in the lobby even though the legitimate access point was offline. A nearby attacker device then captured the captive portal login traffic. What attack is most likely?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Evil twin
The correct answer is B, Evil twin. In this scenario, the attacker set up a rogue access point with the same SSID ("CorpWiFi") as the legitimate network, which was offline. When employees' phones automatically attempted to reconnect to a known SSID, they associated with the attacker's device, which then presented a fake captive portal to capture login credentials. This is the classic definition of an evil twin attack: a fraudulent AP that mimics a legitimate one to intercept traffic.
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.
✗
Rogue access point
Why it's wrong here
A rogue access point is unauthorized, but the key clue here is that it imitates the legitimate corporate SSID.
✓
Evil twin
Why this is correct
An evil twin mimics a trusted wireless network name and often a stronger signal to lure devices into connecting to it.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Bluetooth bluejacking
Why it's wrong here
Bluejacking sends unsolicited Bluetooth messages; it does not involve a fake Wi-Fi access point or captive portal capture.
✗
NFC relay attack
Why it's wrong here
An NFC relay attack extends short-range contactless communication, which does not fit the wireless association and portal login symptoms.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing an evil twin with a rogue access point; candidates often pick 'rogue access point' because both involve unauthorized APs, but the key distinction is that an evil twin mimics a legitimate SSID to intercept traffic, while a rogue AP is physically connected to the internal network.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
An evil twin attack exploits the fact that many client devices automatically reconnect to previously saved SSIDs without verifying the AP's authenticity (e.g., via 802.11w or 802.1X). The attacker typically uses a tool like airbase-ng to create a software-based AP with the same SSID, channel, and sometimes BSSID as the target. In a real-world scenario, the attacker might also deauthenticate clients from the legitimate AP to force them to reconnect to the evil twin, increasing the chance of credential capture.
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
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SY0-701 question in full detail.
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: Evil twin — The correct answer is B, Evil twin. In this scenario, the attacker set up a rogue access point with the same SSID ("CorpWiFi") as the legitimate network, which was offline. When employees' phones automatically attempted to reconnect to a known SSID, they associated with the attacker's device, which then presented a fake captive portal to capture login credentials. This is the classic definition of an evil twin attack: a fraudulent AP that mimics a legitimate one to intercept traffic.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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