- A
Smishing
Why wrong: Smishing uses SMS messages, not email.
- B
Phishing
The email is a classic phishing attempt: it impersonates a trusted entity (CEO) and requests sensitive action (wire transfer).
- C
Spear phishing
Why wrong: Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing aimed at a specific individual or organization, but in this scenario the email is generic and not necessarily targeted.
- D
Whaling
Why wrong: Whaling targets high-profile executives, but the email is from the CEO, not targeting the CEO.
Question 903 of 1,000
SSCP Security Operations and Administration Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of security operations and administration. 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 awareness training session, an employee reports receiving an email that appears to be from the CEO requesting an urgent wire transfer. The email has a suspicious domain and poor grammar. Which type of attack is this an example of?
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
✓
Phishing
This is a classic example of phishing, a broad category of social engineering attacks where attackers send deceptive emails to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or performing actions like wire transfers. The email's suspicious domain and poor grammar are telltale signs of a generic phishing attempt, as it is not specifically tailored to the employee or the CEO's identity.
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.
- ✗
Smishing
Why it's wrong here
Smishing uses SMS messages, not email.
- ✓
Phishing
Why this is correct
The email is a classic phishing attempt: it impersonates a trusted entity (CEO) and requests sensitive action (wire transfer).
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Spear phishing
Why it's wrong here
Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing aimed at a specific individual or organization, but in this scenario the email is generic and not necessarily targeted.
- ✗
Whaling
Why it's wrong here
Whaling targets high-profile executives, but the email is from the CEO, not targeting the CEO.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing the broad category of phishing with its subtypes: candidates often pick 'spear phishing' or 'whaling' because the email targets a specific role (CEO), but the lack of personalization and generic red flags make it a standard phishing attack, not a targeted one.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Spear phishing is a targeted form of phishing aimed at a specific individual or organization, but in this scenario the email is generic and not necessarily targeted.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Phishing attacks exploit the human element of security, often bypassing technical controls like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC by using spoofed domains or lookalike domains (e.g., 'ceo@cornpany.com' vs 'ceo@company.com'). The email's poor grammar and urgent request are psychological triggers designed to bypass rational analysis, leveraging the authority heuristic to compel immediate action without verification.
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
An employee at a financial services firm receives an email that appears to come from the IT helpdesk, asking them to reset their password via a link. The link leads to a convincing fake portal that harvests credentials. Security teams use phishing simulations and security-awareness training to reduce this attack vector. Questions like this test whether you can identify social engineering techniques and appropriate controls.
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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Security Operations and Administration — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Security Operations and Administration — This question tests Security Operations and Administration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Phishing — This is a classic example of phishing, a broad category of social engineering attacks where attackers send deceptive emails to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or performing actions like wire transfers. The email's suspicious domain and poor grammar are telltale signs of a generic phishing attempt, as it is not specifically tailored to the employee or the CEO's identity.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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 SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.
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