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EC-Council

312-50V13 · Question #387

_________ is a type of phishing that targets high-profile executives such as CEOs, CFOs, politicians, and celebrities who have access to confidential and highly valuable information.

The correct answer is B. Whaling. Whaling is a specialized form of phishing that specifically targets high-ranking individuals within an organization, such as CEOs or CFOs, due to their access to valuable information.

Submitted by fernanda_arg· Mar 6, 2026Social Engineering

Question

_________ is a type of phishing that targets high-profile executives such as CEOs, CFOs, politicians, and celebrities who have access to confidential and highly valuable information.

Options

  • ASpear phishing
  • BWhaling
  • CVishing
  • DPhishing

How the community answered

(43 responses)
  • A
    2% (1)
  • B
    88% (38)
  • C
    7% (3)
  • D
    2% (1)

Why each option

Whaling is a specialized form of phishing that specifically targets high-ranking individuals within an organization, such as CEOs or CFOs, due to their access to valuable information.

ASpear phishing

Spear phishing is a targeted attack but typically targets a specific individual or group, not necessarily high-profile executives.

BWhalingCorrect

Whaling is a highly targeted phishing attack that focuses on senior executives or other high-profile individuals within an organization. Attackers aim to compromise these individuals to gain access to highly sensitive information or financial assets.

CVishing

Vishing is a form of phishing conducted over the phone, attempting to trick individuals into divulging information.

DPhishing

Phishing is a general term for deceptive attempts to acquire sensitive information, but not specifically for high-profile individuals.

Concept tested: Phishing techniques: Whaling

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-whaling

Topics

#phishing#whaling attack#social engineering#targeted attack

Community Discussion

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