- A
Spear phishing
Why wrong: Spear phishing targets specific individuals, but this scenario describes a generic phishing email sent to many users.
- B
Phishing
Phishing involves mass emails that appear from trusted sources to steal credentials, matching this scenario.
- C
Whaling
Why wrong: Whaling targets high-profile executives, not a general user, so it does not fit.
- D
Vishing
Why wrong: Vishing uses voice calls, not emails, so it is not applicable here.
Question 587 of 750
220-1202 Logical Security Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of logical security concepts. 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 email from what appears to be their bank, asking them to click a link and verify their account due to suspicious activity. The email contains several spelling errors and the link points to an unfamiliar domain. What type of attack is this?
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
✓
Phishing
This is a classic phishing attack because the email is a mass, unsolicited message that impersonates a trusted entity (the bank) and uses social engineering to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link. The presence of spelling errors and an unfamiliar domain are hallmark indicators of a generic phishing attempt, not a targeted attack. Phishing typically relies on volume and deception rather than personalized reconnaissance.
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.
- ✗
Spear phishing
Why it's wrong here
Spear phishing targets specific individuals, but this scenario describes a generic phishing email sent to many users.
- ✓
Phishing
Why this is correct
Phishing involves mass emails that appear from trusted sources to steal credentials, matching this scenario.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Whaling
Why it's wrong here
Whaling targets high-profile executives, not a general user, so it does not fit.
- ✗
Vishing
Why it's wrong here
Vishing uses voice calls, not emails, so it is not applicable here.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the distinction between generic phishing and spear phishing by including a scenario with obvious errors and no personalization, tricking candidates into overthinking and selecting 'spear phishing' because they misidentify the bank context as targeted.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Spear phishing targets specific individuals, but this scenario describes a generic phishing email sent to many users.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Phishing attacks often exploit SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) weaknesses, such as spoofed 'From' headers that bypass basic SPF (Sender Policy Framework) checks if the domain lacks proper DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) policies. The unfamiliar domain in the link is a critical clue—attackers register lookalike domains (e.g., 'bank-secure-login.com') to evade URL filters and harvest credentials via fake login pages. Real-world phishing kits often include pre-built forms that capture input and send it to a remote server via HTTP POST requests.
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
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1202 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Logical Security Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Logical Security Concepts — This question tests Logical Security Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Phishing — This is a classic phishing attack because the email is a mass, unsolicited message that impersonates a trusted entity (the bank) and uses social engineering to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link. The presence of spelling errors and an unfamiliar domain are hallmark indicators of a generic phishing attempt, not a targeted attack. Phishing typically relies on volume and deception rather than personalized reconnaissance.
What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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.
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 →
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.
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