Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
An employee receives a text message saying their payroll account is locked and asks them to tap a link and enter a one-time passcode. What type of attack is this?
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
Phishing
Phishing usually arrives through email, not primarily through text messages.
B
Best answer
Smishing
Smishing is phishing delivered by SMS or another text messaging service. The attacker uses urgency and a fake account-lock message to trick the user into clicking a malicious link and giving away a one-time code.
C
Distractor review
Vishing
Vishing uses voice calls, such as a phone call to the victim, rather than text messages.
D
Distractor review
Baiting
Baiting relies on tempting the victim with something attractive, like free media or a USB drive.
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: Smishing — Smishing is the correct answer because the attack is delivered by SMS and tries to push the user into clicking a link and revealing sensitive information. The fake payroll alert creates urgency, which is a common social engineering tactic. In Security+ scenarios, the delivery method matters: SMS points to smishing, email to phishing, and phone calls to vishing. Why others are wrong: Phishing is the broader email-based version, but this message arrives by text. Vishing would involve a live voice call. Baiting usually uses a tempting item or reward, such as free software or a USB device, rather than an urgent account-warning text. The message content fits social engineering, but the channel makes smishing the best match.
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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