Quick Answer
The answer is spear phishing. This is correct because the attack is highly targeted at a specific individual—the security analyst—using a spoofed domain and a personalized pretext that mimics the CEO’s identity, which are hallmarks of spear phishing rather than generic phishing or whaling. In whaling, the target is a high-level executive like the CEO themselves, not an employee being impersonated; here, the analyst is the recipient, making it a classic spear phishing scenario. On the Certified Ethical Hacker CEH exam, this distinction tests your understanding of social engineering variants, often appearing in scenario-based questions where the key is identifying who is being targeted versus who is being impersonated. A common trap is confusing whaling with spear phishing when a C-level title appears, but remember: whaling hooks the whale, spear phishing targets the specific fish. Memory tip: “Spear” is precise and personal; “whale” is the big catch, not the bait.
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 receives an email that appears to be from the CEO, urgently requesting a wire transfer. The email address is slightly misspelled (ceo@cornpany.com instead of ceo@company.com). Which type of social engineering attack is this?
Vishing
Why wrong: Vishing is voice phishing, not email.
Whaling
Why wrong: Whaling targets high-profile executives, but here the target is the analyst.
Spear phishing
Targeted at a specific individual with personalized content.
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing is a broader, non-targeted attack; this is targeted.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Spear phishing
Spear phishing is a targeted phishing attack aimed at a specific individual or organization, often using personalized information to appear legitimate. This email targets the analyst specifically and uses a spoofed domain, making it spear phishing, not generic phishing or whaling (which targets high-level executives, though the CEO is impersonated, the recipient is the analyst).
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Vishing
Why it's wrong here
Vishing is voice phishing, not email.
Whaling
Why it's wrong here
Whaling targets high-profile executives, but here the target is the analyst.
Spear phishing
Why this is correct
Targeted at a specific individual with personalized content.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is a broader, non-targeted attack; this is targeted.
Common exam traps
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CEH NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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FAQ
Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — This question tests Malware, Social Engineering and Network Attacks — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
The correct answer is: Spear phishing — Spear phishing is a targeted phishing attack aimed at a specific individual or organization, often using personalized information to appear legitimate. This email targets the analyst specifically and uses a spoofed domain, making it spear phishing, not generic phishing or whaling (which targets high-level executives, though the CEO is impersonated, the recipient is the analyst).
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related CEH NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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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. A security analyst receives an email from what appears to be the company's CEO requesting an urgent wire transfer. The email address is slightly misspelled (e.g., ce0@company.com instead of ceo@company.com). Which type of social engineering attack is this?
easyWhy C: Whaling specifically targets high-profile individuals like executives. The spoofed email address and urgent request for a wire transfer are classic indicators of a whaling attack.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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