- A
Email phishing is used because the attacker is requesting a login action.
Why wrong: Phishing is a broad term, but this scenario is specifically about SMS and voice, not email. Since the channel is not email, calling it email phishing would be inaccurate. The attacker may still be phishing generally, but the more precise attack channels are different and more useful for response.
- B
Smishing is used because the first lure arrives by text message.
Smishing is phishing delivered through SMS or another text-based mobile messaging channel. The fake IT Service Desk text with a shortened link is a classic example because it attempts to get the user to click a link and interact outside the normal support process.
- C
Vishing is used because the follow-up request occurs by phone call.
Vishing uses voice calls to pressure or trick a victim, often by impersonating support staff or an executive. Asking the user to read back an MFA code on the phone is a strong indicator of vishing because it tries to defeat authentication through social manipulation rather than technical compromise.
- D
Baiting is used because the attacker offers a free reward or device.
Why wrong: Baiting usually involves enticing the victim with something attractive, such as free media, hardware, or a promised benefit. This scenario instead uses a fake service request and a follow-up call. There is no lure of a reward, so baiting is not the best fit.
- E
Tailgating is used because the attacker follows someone into a restricted area.
Why wrong: Tailgating is a physical social engineering tactic involving unauthorized entry into a secured space. This scenario takes place over SMS and phone, so it does not involve a person following another through a door or into a controlled area. That makes tailgating irrelevant here.
Quick Answer
The answer is smishing and vishing, as this multi-channel attack combines an SMS phishing lure with a follow-up phone call to harvest MFA codes. The initial SMS creates urgency with a shortened link and false MFA expiration, which is the classic definition of smishing (SMS phishing). The subsequent phone call, where the attacker impersonates the IT Service Desk and asks the victim to read back the authenticator code, is the vishing (voice phishing) component. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to identify how attackers blend social engineering channels to bypass MFA, often by creating a false sense of support escalation. A common trap is focusing only on the SMS link and missing the voice call as a separate attack vector. Remember the memory tip: “SMS first, voice second—smishing then vishing, the code is beckoned.”
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.
A user receives an SMS from 'IT Service Desk' saying their MFA enrollment expires today and includes a shortened link. Five minutes later, the user gets a phone call from the same number asking them to read back the code shown in the authenticator app so the ticket can be closed. Which two attack channels are used in this campaign? 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
Smishing is used because the first lure arrives by text message.
Option B is correct because the initial attack vector is an SMS message containing a shortened link, which is the definition of smishing (SMS phishing). The attacker uses this to create urgency and lure the victim into engaging with the MFA enrollment scam.
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.
- ✗
Email phishing is used because the attacker is requesting a login action.
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is a broad term, but this scenario is specifically about SMS and voice, not email. Since the channel is not email, calling it email phishing would be inaccurate. The attacker may still be phishing generally, but the more precise attack channels are different and more useful for response.
- ✓
Smishing is used because the first lure arrives by text message.
Why this is correct
Smishing is phishing delivered through SMS or another text-based mobile messaging channel. The fake IT Service Desk text with a shortened link is a classic example because it attempts to get the user to click a link and interact outside the normal support process.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Vishing is used because the follow-up request occurs by phone call.
Why this is correct
Vishing uses voice calls to pressure or trick a victim, often by impersonating support staff or an executive. Asking the user to read back an MFA code on the phone is a strong indicator of vishing because it tries to defeat authentication through social manipulation rather than technical compromise.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Baiting is used because the attacker offers a free reward or device.
Why it's wrong here
Baiting usually involves enticing the victim with something attractive, such as free media, hardware, or a promised benefit. This scenario instead uses a fake service request and a follow-up call. There is no lure of a reward, so baiting is not the best fit.
- ✗
Tailgating is used because the attacker follows someone into a restricted area.
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating is a physical social engineering tactic involving unauthorized entry into a secured space. This scenario takes place over SMS and phone, so it does not involve a person following another through a door or into a controlled area. That makes tailgating irrelevant here.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may focus on the phone call as the only attack channel and overlook the initial SMS, or they may confuse smishing with vishing, not recognizing that both channels are used sequentially in a single campaign.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Phishing is a broad term, but this scenario is specifically about SMS and voice, not email. Since the channel is not email, calling it email phishing would be inaccurate. The attacker may still be phishing generally, but the more precise attack channels are different and more useful for response.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Smishing exploits the trust in SMS delivery and often uses URL shorteners (e.g., bit.ly) to hide malicious domains, bypassing basic URL inspection. Vishing (voice phishing) in this scenario leverages caller ID spoofing to mimic the IT Service Desk number, creating a seamless multi-channel attack that bypasses MFA by having the victim read back the one-time code, which the attacker then uses to authenticate.
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
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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: Smishing is used because the first lure arrives by text message. — Option B is correct because the initial attack vector is an SMS message containing a shortened link, which is the definition of smishing (SMS phishing). The attacker uses this to create urgency and lure the victim into engaging with the MFA enrollment scam.
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
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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