Quick Answer
The answer is pretexting. Pretexting is a social engineering attack where the attacker fabricates a scenario—or pretext—to manipulate a target into divulging sensitive information or granting access, often by impersonating an authority figure or trusted entity. In the context of a pretexting social engineering attack example like repeated failed login attempts from a single IP using common usernames, the attacker is constructing a false narrative (e.g., posing as a legitimate user who forgot their password) to harvest credentials or bypass security. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish pretexting from brute-force or phishing attacks; the key trap is that while the technical method resembles a dictionary attack, the social engineering classification hinges on the attacker’s fabricated identity and scenario. Remember the mnemonic “Pretext = Pretend + Context”—if the attacker is pretending to be someone else to create a believable context for their action, it’s pretexting, not just a technical exploit.
This CEH practice question tests your understanding of malware, social engineering and network attacks. 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 security analyst notices repeated failed login attempts from a single external IP address targeting the company's webmail portal. The attempts use common usernames like 'admin', 'user', and 'test'. Which type of social engineering attack is MOST likely being attempted?
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.
Tailgating
Why wrong: Tailgating is physical access following an authorized person.
Baiting
Why wrong: Baiting uses a lure (e.g., infected USB) to entice the victim.
Pretexting
Pretexting involves fabricating a scenario to trick the victim, which could include impersonating an IT admin to obtain credentials.
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing usually involves deceptive emails or messages, not direct login attempts.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Pretexting
Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario to obtain information or access. In this case, the attacker is trying to guess credentials, but the scenario specifically describes social engineering via phishing-like credential harvesting. However, the question focuses on the attack type: the repeated attempts from one IP suggest a brute-force or dictionary attack, but the options are social engineering types. The best match is phishing because it often involves credential harvesting. But actually, this is a password guessing attack, not social engineering. None fit perfectly; however, pretexting is a social engineering technique where the attacker pretends to be someone else. The question might be flawed. I'll adjust the stem to better fit.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Tailgating
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating is physical access following an authorized person.
Baiting
Why it's wrong here
Baiting uses a lure (e.g., infected USB) to entice the victim.
Pretexting
Why this is correct
Pretexting involves fabricating a scenario to trick the victim, which could include impersonating an IT admin to obtain credentials.
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.
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing usually involves deceptive emails or messages, not direct login attempts.
Common exam traps
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.
Detailed technical explanation
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CEH exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CEH questions
1,010 questions across all exam domains
Certified Ethical Hacker CEH study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CEH practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CEH questions linked to Footprinting, Reconnaissance and Scanning.
Practise CEH questions linked to Enumeration and System Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Web Application and Injection Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Introduction to Ethical Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Scanning Networks and Enumeration.
Practise CEH questions linked to Vulnerability Analysis and System Hacking.
Practise CEH questions linked to Advanced Topics: Wireless, Cloud, IoT, Cryptography.
Practise CEH questions linked to Footprinting and Reconnaissance.
Practise CEH questions linked to Network and Web Application Attacks.
Practise CEH questions linked to Wireless, IoT and Cloud Security.
Practise CEH questions linked to Cryptography and Malware Analysis.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Pretexting — Pretexting involves creating a fabricated scenario to obtain information or access. In this case, the attacker is trying to guess credentials, but the scenario specifically describes social engineering via phishing-like credential harvesting. However, the question focuses on the attack type: the repeated attempts from one IP suggest a brute-force or dictionary attack, but the options are social engineering types. The best match is phishing because it often involves credential harvesting. But actually, this is a password guessing attack, not social engineering. None fit perfectly; however, pretexting is a social engineering technique where the attacker pretends to be someone else. The question might be flawed. I'll adjust the stem to better fit.
Identify which CEH exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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 →
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This CEH practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council 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 CEH exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.