- A
Tailgating; install mantraps at entrances.
Why wrong: Tailgating involves following someone in, not using a fake identity. Mantraps prevent tailgating but not pretexting.
- B
Phishing; implement email filtering.
Why wrong: Phishing is digital; email filtering does not prevent physical impersonation.
- C
Pretexting; enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures.
Pretexting uses a fabricated identity; verifying visitors against official records and requiring escorts prevents this.
- D
Baiting; disable USB ports on workstations.
Why wrong: Baiting involves luring with an offer; disabling USB ports does not address physical impersonation.
Question 223 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 security audit, a technician discovers that an unauthorized person accessed a restricted server room by pretending to be a fire inspector. The person had a fake ID and clipboard. Which social engineering technique was used, and what is the best mitigation?
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
✓
Pretexting; enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures.
The attacker used a fabricated identity (fake ID and clipboard) to create a false scenario—pretending to be a fire inspector—which is the hallmark of pretexting. The best mitigation is to enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures, such as requiring government-issued ID validation and escort policies, to prevent unauthorized access based on fabricated roles.
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.
- ✗
Tailgating; install mantraps at entrances.
Why it's wrong here
Tailgating involves following someone in, not using a fake identity. Mantraps prevent tailgating but not pretexting.
- ✗
Phishing; implement email filtering.
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is digital; email filtering does not prevent physical impersonation.
- ✓
Pretexting; enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures.
Why this is correct
Pretexting uses a fabricated identity; verifying visitors against official records and requiring escorts prevents this.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Baiting; disable USB ports on workstations.
Why it's wrong here
Baiting involves luring with an offer; disabling USB ports does not address physical impersonation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between pretexting and tailgating, where candidates confuse impersonation with simply following someone through a door; the trap here is that the fake ID and clipboard clearly indicate a fabricated identity (pretexting), not physical piggybacking.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Pretexting relies on the psychological principle of authority compliance, where attackers exploit trust in official roles (e.g., fire inspector, IT support). Under the hood, effective mitigation involves multi-factor authentication for physical access, such as biometric scanners combined with visitor logs, and implementing a 'zero-trust' physical security model where every individual must be verified regardless of claimed role. In real-world scenarios, attackers often research building protocols (e.g., fire inspection schedules) to make their pretext more convincing, bypassing simple badge checks.
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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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: Pretexting; enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures. — The attacker used a fabricated identity (fake ID and clipboard) to create a false scenario—pretending to be a fire inspector—which is the hallmark of pretexting. The best mitigation is to enforce visitor check-in and verification procedures, such as requiring government-issued ID validation and escort policies, to prevent unauthorized access based on fabricated roles.
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.
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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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