- A
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing is a digital attack, not directly related to physical badge use.
- B
Tailgating
Tailgating is the correct term for unauthorized physical access by following someone in, possibly with a stolen badge.
- C
Dumpster diving
Why wrong: Dumpster diving involves searching trash for information, not directly using a badge for entry.
- D
Shoulder surfing
Why wrong: Shoulder surfing is observing screens or keystrokes, not gaining physical entry.
Question 247 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.
During a routine security audit, a technician discovers that an unknown person has been using a badge to enter the building after hours. The badge belongs to a former employee who left the company six months ago. Which type of social engineering attack likely enabled this unauthorized access?
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
✓
Tailgating
The correct answer is B, tailgating. This attack involves an unauthorized person physically following an authorized individual into a secured area without using their own credentials. In this scenario, the unknown person used a badge that belonged to a former employee, which indicates they likely gained entry by closely following someone else through a door or turnstile, exploiting the fact that the badge was not deactivated or that the access control system did not require re-authentication for each individual.
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.
- ✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is a digital attack, not directly related to physical badge use.
- ✓
Tailgating
Why this is correct
Tailgating is the correct term for unauthorized physical access by following someone in, possibly with a stolen badge.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Dumpster diving
Why it's wrong here
Dumpster diving involves searching trash for information, not directly using a badge for entry.
- ✗
Shoulder surfing
Why it's wrong here
Shoulder surfing is observing screens or keystrokes, not gaining physical entry.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse tailgating with phishing or shoulder surfing because all involve deception, but tailgating is specifically a physical access attack that relies on bypassing authentication mechanisms through proximity, not digital or visual eavesdropping.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Tailgating exploits the human tendency to hold doors for others, bypassing electronic access control systems (EACS) that rely on badge readers, PIN pads, or biometrics. In a real-world scenario, an attacker might wait near a secured entrance and, when an employee swipes their badge, quickly follow them through before the door closes, a technique known as 'piggybacking' when the authorized person is unaware. Properly configured mantrap systems or turnstiles with anti-tailgating sensors can mitigate this by allowing only one person per authentication event.
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: Tailgating — The correct answer is B, tailgating. This attack involves an unauthorized person physically following an authorized individual into a secured area without using their own credentials. In this scenario, the unknown person used a badge that belonged to a former employee, which indicates they likely gained entry by closely following someone else through a door or turnstile, exploiting the fact that the badge was not deactivated or that the access control system did not require re-authentication for each individual.
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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