Quick Answer
The correct answer is tailgating, also known as piggybacking, because it describes the social engineering technique where an unauthorized person exploits an authorized individual’s access to bypass physical security controls, such as a badge reader or keypad. This attack relies on human courtesy or distraction rather than technical hacking, as the attacker simply follows closely behind an employee through a secured door without presenting their own credentials. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this concept tests your understanding of physical access vectors within the social engineering domain, often appearing in scenario-based questions that distinguish tailgating from other attacks like phishing or dumpster diving. A common trap is confusing tailgating with shoulder surfing, but remember: tailgating is about following through a door, not looking over a shoulder. For a quick memory tip, think of a tailgater at a concert—someone who slips in behind a ticket holder without paying.
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.
An attacker gains physical access to a restricted area by following an authorized employee through a secured door without swiping a badge. This technique is known as:
Tailgating
Tailgating is following an authorized person through a secure entry.
Pretexting
Why wrong: Pretexting involves fabricating a scenario to obtain information.
Quid pro quo
Why wrong: Quid pro quo offers a benefit in exchange for information.
Baiting
Why wrong: Baiting uses enticing objects like USB drives.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Tailgating
Tailgating (or piggybacking) is when an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area without proper authentication.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Tailgating
Why this is correct
Tailgating is following an authorized person through a secure entry.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Pretexting
Why it's wrong here
Pretexting involves fabricating a scenario to obtain information.
Quid pro quo
Why it's wrong here
Quid pro quo offers a benefit in exchange for information.
Baiting
Why it's wrong here
Baiting uses enticing objects like USB drives.
Common exam traps
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Pretexting involves fabricating a scenario to obtain information.
Detailed technical explanation
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
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. OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related CEH OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
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FAQ
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
The correct answer is: Tailgating — Tailgating (or piggybacking) is when an unauthorized person follows an authorized person into a restricted area without proper authentication.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related CEH OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Same concept, more angles
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. An attacker gains physical access to a building by following an authorized employee through a secure door without using a badge. Which social engineering technique is being used?
hardWhy B: Tailgating is when an unauthorized person follows an authorized individual into a restricted area without consent. It is a physical security breach.
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.
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