- A
Pretexting
Why wrong: Pretexting involves a fabricated story, not physical proximity. The attacker here is using physical presence, not a story.
- B
Baiting
Why wrong: Baiting uses an enticing item to lure the victim. This scenario involves following someone through a door.
- C
Tailgating
Tailgating is when an unauthorized person gains access by closely following an authorized person through a secure entry point. This is exactly what is described.
- D
Phishing
Why wrong: Phishing is an electronic attack, not a physical one. This is a physical security breach.
Question 557 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 notices that an unauthorized person is standing just behind an employee at the secure door, waiting for the employee to badge in so they can enter without badging themselves. What type of social engineering attack is being attempted?
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
Tailgating (also known as piggybacking) is a physical social engineering attack where an unauthorized person follows an authorized individual into a secured area without using their own credentials. In this scenario, the attacker waits for the employee to badge in and then slips through the door before it closes, bypassing the access control system. This exploits the trust or politeness of the employee and the physical security gap between the door closing and the authentication check.
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.
- ✗
Pretexting
Why it's wrong here
Pretexting involves a fabricated story, not physical proximity. The attacker here is using physical presence, not a story.
- ✗
Baiting
Why it's wrong here
Baiting uses an enticing item to lure the victim. This scenario involves following someone through a door.
- ✓
Tailgating
Why this is correct
Tailgating is when an unauthorized person gains access by closely following an authorized person through a secure entry point. This is exactly what is described.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Phishing
Why it's wrong here
Phishing is an electronic attack, not a physical one. This is a physical security breach.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between tailgating and pretexting, where candidates mistakenly choose pretexting because they think the attacker is 'pretending' to be authorized, but the key difference is that tailgating requires no verbal deception—just physical proximity and timing.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Baiting uses an enticing item to lure the victim. This scenario involves following someone through a door.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In access control systems, tailgating exploits the 'door prop' or 'door hold-open' time delay after a valid badge read; if the door's magnetic lock or strike remains released for a set period (often 5–10 seconds), an attacker can enter without triggering an alarm unless a secondary sensor (e.g., a tailgate detection camera or pressure mat) is deployed. Real-world scenarios include attackers using a 'piggyback' technique at turnstiles or mantraps, where the system assumes one badge read equals one person, but multiple individuals pass through. Some advanced systems use 'count' logic or optical sensors to detect multiple entries per credential, but many legacy systems lack this protection.
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: Tailgating — Tailgating (also known as piggybacking) is a physical social engineering attack where an unauthorized person follows an authorized individual into a secured area without using their own credentials. In this scenario, the attacker waits for the employee to badge in and then slips through the door before it closes, bypassing the access control system. This exploits the trust or politeness of the employee and the physical security gap between the door closing and the authentication check.
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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