Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →easymultiple choiceObjective-mapped
Several employees receive a text message that says their payroll deposit failed and they must tap a link to verify account details. The link opens a fake login page. 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 is the broader term, but this message specifically arrived by text message.
B
Best answer
Smishing
Smishing is phishing delivered through SMS or other text messaging services.
C
Distractor review
Pretexting
Pretexting is a fabricated story used to manipulate someone, but the delivery method here is text.
D
Distractor review
Baiting
Baiting involves an attractive lure, such as free software or a found USB drive, not a payroll text.
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 — This is smishing because the attacker uses a text message to trick recipients into visiting a fake login page. The content is designed to create urgency around payroll and push users to click without thinking. For Security+ style questions, the delivery channel matters: SMS-based lures are smishing, while email-based lures are phishing and phone-based deception is vishing. Why others are wrong: Phishing is the general concept, but the question asks for the more specific text-message variant. Pretexting refers to the false story itself, not the SMS delivery channel. Baiting depends on an enticing item or offer, which is not what this payroll message uses.
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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