- A
Evil twin access point impersonating the legitimate wireless network
An evil twin is a rogue access point configured to look like the trusted wireless network, often using the same or a very similar SSID. Because clients may auto-connect, attackers can capture credentials or inspect traffic through the fake network. The captive portal and automatic connection away from the office strongly suggest a malicious wireless impersonation setup.
- B
Bluetooth pairing abuse from a nearby device
Why wrong: Bluetooth abuse is possible in some environments, but it would not explain laptops joining a Wi-Fi network with a familiar SSID.
- C
DNS poisoning caused by a compromised resolver
Why wrong: DNS poisoning can redirect users to malicious destinations, but it does not create a fake wireless access point that devices join automatically.
- D
NFC relay attack against the laptops' login process
Why wrong: NFC relay attacks involve short-range communication and are not the likely cause of automatic Wi-Fi association and captive portal prompts.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is an evil twin attack, where a rogue access point impersonates the legitimate wireless network. This is because the attacker set up a device broadcasting the SSID "CorpWiFi," causing the employees' laptops to automatically connect based on a saved network profile, without verifying the access point's authenticity. Once connected, the fake captive portal harvested credentials, which is the hallmark of an evil twin attack. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of wireless threats and the difference between an evil twin and a rogue AP—the key distinction is that an evil twin specifically mimics a trusted SSID to trick clients into connecting. A common trap is confusing this with a man-in-the-middle attack, but the core exploit here is the trust in the network name, not interception of existing traffic. Memory tip: "Evil twin = same SSID, different AP; if it asks for creds, it's a twin."
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.
Several employees in a branch office report that their laptops automatically connected to a network named "CorpWiFi" even though they were away from the office. Shortly afterward, a few users saw a captive portal asking them to re-enter company credentials. Which threat best explains this situation?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Evil twin access point impersonating the legitimate wireless network
The scenario describes an evil twin attack where a rogue access point broadcasts the SSID "CorpWiFi" to trick laptops into automatically connecting. Once connected, the attacker presents a fake captive portal to harvest credentials. This exploits the fact that client devices often prioritize known SSIDs without verifying the authenticity of the access point, relying solely on the network name.
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.
- ✓
Evil twin access point impersonating the legitimate wireless network
Why this is correct
An evil twin is a rogue access point configured to look like the trusted wireless network, often using the same or a very similar SSID. Because clients may auto-connect, attackers can capture credentials or inspect traffic through the fake network. The captive portal and automatic connection away from the office strongly suggest a malicious wireless impersonation setup.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Bluetooth pairing abuse from a nearby device
Why it's wrong here
Bluetooth abuse is possible in some environments, but it would not explain laptops joining a Wi-Fi network with a familiar SSID.
- ✗
DNS poisoning caused by a compromised resolver
Why it's wrong here
DNS poisoning can redirect users to malicious destinations, but it does not create a fake wireless access point that devices join automatically.
- ✗
NFC relay attack against the laptops' login process
Why it's wrong here
NFC relay attacks involve short-range communication and are not the likely cause of automatic Wi-Fi association and captive portal prompts.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse an evil twin with a rogue AP that requires manual connection, but the key detail is the automatic connection, which exploits the client's saved network profile, not just the presence of a malicious AP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
An evil twin attack leverages the fact that 802.11 Wi-Fi probes and beacon frames are unauthenticated. The attacker uses a tool like airbase-ng to broadcast a beacon with the same SSID and often the same BSSID as the legitimate network. Client devices with saved profiles for "CorpWiFi" will automatically attempt to associate with the strongest signal, which is the rogue AP. The fake captive portal typically uses HTTPS but with a self-signed certificate, which users often ignore, leading to credential theft.
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 team runs a vulnerability scan on a web application and discovers an unpatched SQL injection flaw. The team prioritises remediation by CVSS score — critical flaws are patched within 24 hours, high within 7 days. Questions like this test whether you understand vulnerability management processes, scanning tools, and remediation prioritisation.
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?
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 access point impersonating the legitimate wireless network — The scenario describes an evil twin attack where a rogue access point broadcasts the SSID "CorpWiFi" to trick laptops into automatically connecting. Once connected, the attacker presents a fake captive portal to harvest credentials. This exploits the fact that client devices often prioritize known SSIDs without verifying the authenticity of the access point, relying solely on the network name.
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: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the SY0-701 exam.
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