- A
Do not tap the link or share the one-time code
The safest response is to avoid interacting with the message, because the attacker is trying to steal credentials or MFA access.
- B
Report the message through the company's approved security channel
Reporting helps the security team investigate the attempt and warn other users if the same message is spreading.
- C
Reply to the sender and ask them to prove they are legitimate
Why wrong: Replying still confirms the address is active and can expose the user to more convincing social engineering attempts.
- D
Enter the code to see whether the message is real
Why wrong: Submitting the code could give the attacker account access, so it is exactly the action the employee must avoid.
- E
Forward the text to coworkers so they can compare it
Why wrong: Forwarding the message does not improve protection and may spread the threat or normalize unsafe behavior.
SY0-701 Security Program Management and Oversight Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security program management and oversight. 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.
An employee receives a text message claiming their email password expired and asks them to tap a link and confirm a one-time code. Which two responses are appropriate? Select two.
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
Do not tap the link or share the one-time code
Option A is correct because tapping the link or sharing the one-time code would allow an attacker to complete a credential harvesting or MFA bypass attack. The message is a classic phishing attempt designed to trick the recipient into providing a one-time code that the attacker can use to authenticate as the victim. The correct response is to never interact with the link or code.
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.
- ✓
Do not tap the link or share the one-time code
Why this is correct
The safest response is to avoid interacting with the message, because the attacker is trying to steal credentials or MFA access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Report the message through the company's approved security channel
Why this is correct
Reporting helps the security team investigate the attempt and warn other users if the same message is spreading.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Reply to the sender and ask them to prove they are legitimate
Why it's wrong here
Replying still confirms the address is active and can expose the user to more convincing social engineering attempts.
- ✗
Enter the code to see whether the message is real
Why it's wrong here
Submitting the code could give the attacker account access, so it is exactly the action the employee must avoid.
- ✗
Forward the text to coworkers so they can compare it
Why it's wrong here
Forwarding the message does not improve protection and may spread the threat or normalize unsafe behavior.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may think entering the code or replying to the sender is a safe way to verify the message, not realizing that the one-time code is a real authentication token that the attacker is actively trying to intercept.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This attack is a form of MFA fatigue or token interception, where the attacker already has the victim's password and triggers a real MFA push or SMS code. By tricking the victim into sharing the one-time code, the attacker can complete the authentication and gain access to the account. Modern phishing kits often use real-time proxies to capture both credentials and MFA tokens, bypassing security controls like conditional access policies.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Program Management and Oversight — This question tests Security Program Management and Oversight — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Do not tap the link or share the one-time code — Option A is correct because tapping the link or sharing the one-time code would allow an attacker to complete a credential harvesting or MFA bypass attack. The message is a classic phishing attempt designed to trick the recipient into providing a one-time code that the attacker can use to authenticate as the victim. The correct response is to never interact with the link or code.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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