- A
Vishing, because the attacker is using a voice call to manipulate the target in real time.
Vishing is voice-based phishing. The attacker used a phone call, gained trust with specific details, and pressured the employee to reveal an MFA code. That real-time conversation and the request for a secret value are classic indicators of a voice social engineering attempt.
- B
Smishing, because the attacker requested a code and mentioned a financial problem.
Why wrong: Smishing happens through text messages or SMS, not through a live phone conversation.
- C
Baiting, because the caller offered to fix the payment issue for the employee.
Why wrong: Baiting relies on a lure, such as free media or an enticing download. A fraudulent support call is better described as vishing and impersonation.
- D
Tailgating, because the attacker used a trusted identity to gain access.
Why wrong: Tailgating refers to physical entry by following someone through a secured area. This incident occurred over the phone, not at a door or badge-controlled entrance.
Quick Answer
The answer is vishing, because the attacker used a voice call to socially engineer the target into revealing a one-time MFA code. This is a classic vishing attack example where real-time voice interaction exploits human trust rather than technical vulnerabilities, as the caller already possessed the employee’s name and invoice details to build credibility. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish vishing from other social engineering variants like phishing (email) or smishing (SMS), with the key differentiator being the live phone conversation. A common trap is confusing this with a pretexting attack, but vishing specifically involves the voice channel and immediate manipulation for credentials. Remember the memory tip: “Vishing is a voice call for a verification code”—if the attacker asks you to read back an MFA token over the phone, it’s vishing every time.
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 finance clerk reports a call from a person who claimed to be from the bank's fraud department. The caller knew the employee's name, referenced a recent invoice, and asked the employee to read back a one-time MFA code to stop a supposed payment block. Which attack is most likely?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
Vishing, because the attacker is using a voice call to manipulate the target in real time.
The attack is vishing (voice phishing) because the attacker uses a telephone call to socially engineer the target into divulging a one-time MFA code. The real-time voice interaction and the specific request for an authentication code are hallmarks of vishing, which exploits human trust rather than technical vulnerabilities.
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.
- ✓
Vishing, because the attacker is using a voice call to manipulate the target in real time.
Why this is correct
Vishing is voice-based phishing. The attacker used a phone call, gained trust with specific details, and pressured the employee to reveal an MFA code. That real-time conversation and the request for a secret value are classic indicators of a voice social engineering attempt.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Smishing, because the attacker requested a code and mentioned a financial problem.
Why it's wrong here
Smishing happens through text messages or SMS, not through a live phone conversation.
- ✗
Baiting, because the caller offered to fix the payment issue for the employee.
Why it's wrong here
Baiting relies on a lure, such as free media or an enticing download. A fraudulent support call is better described as vishing and impersonation.
- ✗
Tailgating, because the attacker used a trusted identity to gain access.
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating refers to physical entry by following someone through a secured area. This incident occurred over the phone, not at a door or badge-controlled entrance.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing the delivery method (voice vs. text) and focusing on the content (request for a code) rather than the channel, leading candidates to incorrectly choose smishing when the attack is clearly voice-based.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Vishing often leverages caller ID spoofing to display a legitimate bank’s number, increasing credibility. The attacker’s request for an MFA code exploits the fact that many MFA implementations rely on time-based one-time passwords (TOTP) or SMS codes, which, if shared, allow the attacker to complete a session or transaction. Real-world vishing campaigns frequently target finance personnel because they have access to payment systems and are trained to respond to fraud alerts.
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: Vishing, because the attacker is using a voice call to manipulate the target in real time. — The attack is vishing (voice phishing) because the attacker uses a telephone call to socially engineer the target into divulging a one-time MFA code. The real-time voice interaction and the specific request for an authentication code are hallmarks of vishing, which exploits human trust rather than technical vulnerabilities.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
5 more ways this is tested on SY0-701
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A finance manager gets a phone call from someone claiming to be the CEO's assistant, urgently requesting a wire transfer before a board meeting. What type of attack is this?
easy- A.Smishing
- ✓ B.Vishing
- C.Spear phishing
- D.Watering-hole attack
Why B: B is correct because vishing (voice phishing) uses a phone call to socially engineer the victim into performing a sensitive action, such as a wire transfer. The attacker impersonates a trusted authority (the CEO's assistant) and exploits urgency to bypass normal verification procedures. This is distinct from text-based phishing (smishing) or targeted email attacks (spear phishing).
Variation 2. A user receives a phone call from someone who claims to be a member of the company's IT support team. The caller states that the user's account has been compromised and requests the user's username, password, and the current multi-factor authentication (MFA) code to 'verify identity and secure the account.' Which type of social engineering attack is being attempted?
medium- A.Spear phishing
- ✓ B.Vishing
- C.Pretexting
- D.Tailgating
Why B: B is correct because vishing (voice phishing) is a social engineering attack conducted over the phone, where the attacker impersonates a trusted entity (IT support) to trick the victim into revealing sensitive information such as credentials and MFA codes. The request for the current MFA code is a key indicator, as it would allow the attacker to bypass multi-factor authentication in real time.
Variation 3. A help desk technician receives a phone call from someone who claims to be the CFO. The caller says they are traveling, cannot access their MFA app, and needs the technician to reset the account immediately. They also ask the technician to read back the one-time code sent to the executive's phone so they can "verify identity." What type of attack is this most likely?
medium- A.Pretexting
- ✓ B.Vishing
- C.Smishing
- D.Baiting
Why B: This is vishing (voice phishing) because the attacker uses a phone call to impersonate a trusted executive (the CFO) and manipulates the technician into bypassing MFA controls. The request to read back the one-time code is a classic social engineering tactic to capture a valid OTP, which the attacker can then use to authenticate as the CFO.
Variation 4. A help desk technician receives a phone call from someone claiming to be a contractor. The caller says their MFA app was lost, asks the technician to enroll a new device immediately, and pressures them to ignore policy. What type of attack is this?
easy- A.Phishing
- ✓ B.Vishing
- C.Smishing
- D.Baiting
Why B: This is a vishing (voice phishing) attack because the attacker uses a phone call to impersonate a contractor and socially engineer the technician into bypassing MFA enrollment policies. Vishing specifically exploits voice communication to manipulate victims, unlike phishing which uses email or malicious links.
Variation 5. A help desk technician reviews a voicemail in which the caller claims to be from the security team, says the user will be locked out unless they read back a one-time passcode, and leaves a callback number. What type of attack is this?
medium- A.Smishing, because the attacker is using a text message with a link.
- ✓ B.Vishing, because the attacker is using voice communication to pressure the user.
- C.Baiting, because the attacker is offering a reward to entice the user.
- D.Pretexting, because the attacker invented a role and story.
Why B: Option B is correct because vishing (voice phishing) uses voice communication—such as phone calls or voicemails—to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. In this scenario, the attacker leaves a voicemail claiming to be from the security team and pressures the user to read back a one-time passcode, which is a classic vishing tactic that exploits trust and urgency over voice channels.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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