- A
Whaling
Why wrong: Whaling targets high-level executives specifically, not general employees.
- B
Spear phishing
Spear phishing is the correct term for targeted phishing attacks against specific people or groups.
- C
Vishing
Why wrong: Vishing uses voice calls, not emails.
- D
Pharming
Why wrong: Pharming redirects traffic to fake sites without requiring a click, whereas this attack relies on a deceptive email link.
Question 647 of 750
Spear Phishing: Targeted Email Attacks
This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of social engineering attacks. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 security analyst notices that an attacker has been sending emails that appear to come from the company's internal email system, asking employees to click a link to update their shared drive password. The link leads to a fake login page. The attacker is using a spoofed internal domain. What specific type of phishing is this?
Quick Answer
The answer is spear phishing, because this attack uses a spoofed internal domain to target specific employees with a personalized request to update their shared drive password. Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing that focuses on particular individuals or groups within an organization, making it far more dangerous than broad, generic phishing campaigns. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this concept tests your ability to distinguish between attack types based on the level of targeting and personalization—a common trap is confusing spear phishing with regular phishing or whaling, but remember that spear phishing targets any specific role or department, not just executives. The key clue here is the use of a spoofed internal domain, which adds credibility and shows the attacker researched the company’s internal systems. Memory tip: think of a spear as a precise, aimed weapon versus a fishing net—spear phishing is a targeted strike, not a scatter-shot.
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
✓
Spear phishing
This is spear phishing because the attacker targets specific employees within the organization using a spoofed internal domain to make the email appear legitimate. Unlike generic phishing, spear phishing is highly targeted and personalized, often leveraging internal context (e.g., 'update your shared drive password') to increase credibility. The use of a spoofed internal domain exploits trust in the company's email infrastructure, often bypassing SPF/DKIM checks if misconfigured.
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.
- ✗
Whaling
Why it's wrong here
Whaling targets high-level executives specifically, not general employees.
- ✓
Spear phishing
Why this is correct
Spear phishing is the correct term for targeted phishing attacks against specific people or groups.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Vishing
Why it's wrong here
Vishing uses voice calls, not emails.
- ✗
Pharming
Why it's wrong here
Pharming redirects traffic to fake sites without requiring a click, whereas this attack relies on a deceptive email link.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
For CompTIA A+, remember that spear phishing targets specific individuals within an organization, while whaling specifically targets senior executives or high-profile individuals. In this scenario, the attacker is targeting general employees to update their shared drive password, so it is spear phishing, not whaling. Candidates often mistakenly choose whaling when they see a targeted attack, but the key differentiator is the target's role within the organization.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Spear phishing often leverages email spoofing techniques such as SMTP header forgery (e.g., manipulating the 'From' field) and domain impersonation via lookalike domains (e.g., using 'rnicrosoft.com' instead of 'microsoft.com'). In real-world scenarios, attackers may also use compromised internal accounts or reply-chain hijacking to further evade detection. The fake login page typically captures credentials via a simple HTTP POST to an attacker-controlled server, often with SSL/TLS to appear legitimate.
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: Spear phishing — This is spear phishing because the attacker targets specific employees within the organization using a spoofed internal domain to make the email appear legitimate. Unlike generic phishing, spear phishing is highly targeted and personalized, often leveraging internal context (e.g., 'update your shared drive password') to increase credibility. The use of a spoofed internal domain exploits trust in the company's email infrastructure, often bypassing SPF/DKIM checks if misconfigured.
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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1202
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A new employee receives an email that appears to be from the company's HR department, asking them to click a link to verify their direct deposit information for payroll. The email contains the company logo and looks professional. What is the most likely social engineering attack?
medium- A.Whaling
- ✓ B.Phishing
- C.Vishing
- D.Shoulder surfing
Why B: Phishing is the correct answer because the attack uses a deceptive email that impersonates a legitimate entity (HR department) to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link. This is a classic example of a broad, untargeted social engineering attack delivered via email, which is the defining characteristic of phishing.
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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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