Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Exhibit
Help desk call transcript Caller: "Hi, this is Morgan from the executive assistant team. The CFO is in a meeting and needs a transfer completed in the next 15 minutes. I am sending the approval right now. Please confirm the wire amount and account details over the phone so I can finish the request."
Based on the exhibit, what type of social engineering attack is the caller using?
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
Best answer
Vishing, because the attacker is using a phone call to pressure the target.
The attacker is making a voice call and using urgency, authority, and time pressure to obtain sensitive financial information. That is a classic example of vishing, which is phishing conducted over the phone.
B
Distractor review
Ransomware, because the caller is asking for money.
The request involves fraud and deception, not malware that encrypts files or disrupts systems.
C
Distractor review
SQL injection, because the caller is asking for account details.
SQL injection is a web application attack and has nothing to do with telephone-based persuasion.
D
Distractor review
Tailgating, because the attacker mentions an executive assistant.
Tailgating involves physically following someone into a secure area, not manipulating a person over the phone.
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, because the attacker is using a phone call to pressure the target. — This is vishing: a voice-based social engineering attack. The caller uses urgency, a claimed internal role, and a request for sensitive wire-transfer information to pressure the target into bypassing normal verification. Recognizing the communication channel is important because the defense is to stop, verify through an approved callback process, and never rely on the caller’s claimed identity alone. Why others are wrong: The scenario is not malware, so ransomware is incorrect. SQL injection applies to databases and web forms, not phone calls. Tailgating is a physical access tactic and does not fit a telephone transcript. The key clue is that the attacker is using voice communication to manipulate the target.
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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