- A
Reply to the email asking for more details to confirm the request.
Why wrong: Replying to the attacker confirms the email address is valid and may lead to further social engineering. Verification should be done through a separate channel.
- B
Forward the email to the security team and do not respond.
The correct action is to report the suspicious email to the security team for investigation and not engage with the potential attacker. This follows proper incident response protocols.
- C
Provide the list as requested, since the CEO has authority.
Why wrong: Sharing passwords is never acceptable, even from a legitimate source. This would be a massive security breach.
- D
Call the CEO immediately to verify the request.
Why wrong: While verification is good, the technician should not take any action that could compromise security without first consulting the security team. Forwarding to security is the priority.
Responding to CEO Phishing: Steps to Take
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 technician receives an email from what appears to be the company's CEO, asking for a list of all employee passwords for a 'security audit'. The email address is correct, but the tone and request are unusual. The technician suspects a social engineering attack. What is the best course of action?
Quick Answer
The best course of action is to forward the email to the security team and not respond. This is correct because the email is a classic social engineering attack known as whaling or spear phishing, where an attacker impersonates a high-level executive to manipulate an employee into violating security policies. Legitimate security audits never require password lists, and sharing credentials would compromise the entire organization. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of social engineering red flags and the proper incident response workflow—a common trap is the impulse to reply or call the CEO directly using the contact info in the suspicious email, which could further expose you. Instead, always verify unusual requests through a separate, trusted communication channel like a phone call or in-person conversation. Memory tip: “Don’t reply, just report—verify through a separate port.”
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
Forward the email to the security team and do not respond.
Option B is correct because forwarding the email to the security team ensures that the incident is handled by the appropriate personnel who can investigate the potential phishing or social engineering attack without engaging the attacker. Responding to the email, even for confirmation, could validate the technician's email address as active and potentially expose the organization to further attacks. The security team can analyze headers, links, and attachments using tools like email security gateways or SIEM systems to determine the legitimacy of the request.
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.
- ✗
Reply to the email asking for more details to confirm the request.
Why it's wrong here
Replying to the attacker confirms the email address is valid and may lead to further social engineering. Verification should be done through a separate channel.
- ✓
Forward the email to the security team and do not respond.
Why this is correct
The correct action is to report the suspicious email to the security team for investigation and not engage with the potential attacker. This follows proper incident response protocols.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Provide the list as requested, since the CEO has authority.
Why it's wrong here
Sharing passwords is never acceptable, even from a legitimate source. This would be a massive security breach.
- ✗
Call the CEO immediately to verify the request.
Why it's wrong here
While verification is good, the technician should not take any action that could compromise security without first consulting the security team. Forwarding to security is the priority.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the misconception that verifying with the CEO by phone is the best immediate action, but the correct priority is to report to the security team first to ensure proper incident response and evidence preservation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Social engineering attacks often use email spoofing or compromised accounts to impersonate authority figures; the technician should check email headers for SPF, DKIM, and DMARC authentication results to detect spoofing. In a real-world scenario, the security team would use email threat analysis tools to examine the email's origin, check for malicious payloads, and potentially block the sender's domain if it is part of a phishing campaign. The CompTIA A+ 220-1202 exam emphasizes that the first step in any suspected social engineering incident is to report it to the security team without engaging the attacker.
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
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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: Forward the email to the security team and do not respond. — Option B is correct because forwarding the email to the security team ensures that the incident is handled by the appropriate personnel who can investigate the potential phishing or social engineering attack without engaging the attacker. Responding to the email, even for confirmation, could validate the technician's email address as active and potentially expose the organization to further attacks. The security team can analyze headers, links, and attachments using tools like email security gateways or SIEM systems to determine the legitimacy of the request.
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
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