- A
Smishing
Why wrong: Smishing uses SMS text messages, not voicemail or phone calls.
- B
Vishing
Vishing is the correct term for voice-based phishing attacks via phone calls or voicemail.
- C
Pretexting
Why wrong: Pretexting is a broader category of creating a false scenario, but vishing is the specific method used here.
- D
Pharming
Why wrong: Pharming redirects users to fake websites, not a voice-based attack.
Question 321 of 750
220-1202 Social Engineering Attacks Practice Question
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of social engineering 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 user reports that they received a voicemail from the company's HR director asking them to call back a number to verify their account details for payroll. The user is suspicious because the HR director is on vacation. What type of social engineering 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
✓
Vishing
Vishing (voice phishing) is the correct classification because the attack uses a phone call—specifically a voicemail—to trick the user into calling back and divulging sensitive payroll information. Unlike phishing via email or SMS, vishing exploits voice communication channels to bypass text-based security filters and create a false sense of urgency or authority.
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.
- ✗
Smishing
Why it's wrong here
Smishing uses SMS text messages, not voicemail or phone calls.
- ✓
Vishing
Why this is correct
Vishing is the correct term for voice-based phishing attacks via phone calls or voicemail.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Pretexting
Why it's wrong here
Pretexting is a broader category of creating a false scenario, but vishing is the specific method used here.
- ✗
Pharming
Why it's wrong here
Pharming redirects users to fake websites, not a voice-based attack.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The key differentiator between vishing and pretexting is the communication channel—vishing specifically involves voice (phone/voicemail), while pretexting can occur via any medium (email, in-person, etc.).
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Pretexting is a broader category of creating a false scenario, but vishing is the specific method used here.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Vishing often leverages VoIP technology to spoof caller ID (e.g., using a PBX or SIP trunk to display the HR director's number), making the call appear legitimate. Attackers may also use interactive voice response (IVR) systems to harvest credentials or PINs automatically. In this scenario, the voicemail itself is a lure; the callback number could route to a rogue IVR or a live attacker who mimics the HR director's tone and knowledge of internal processes.
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.
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Social Engineering Attacks — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1202 question test?
Social Engineering Attacks — This question tests Social Engineering Attacks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Vishing — Vishing (voice phishing) is the correct classification because the attack uses a phone call—specifically a voicemail—to trick the user into calling back and divulging sensitive payroll information. Unlike phishing via email or SMS, vishing exploits voice communication channels to bypass text-based security filters and create a false sense of urgency or authority.
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
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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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