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SY0-701 · Question #597

SY0-701 Question #597: Real Exam Question with Answer & Explanation

The correct answer is A: Spear-phishing attachment. Opening a resume received in a message is the definitive red flag - a malicious file delivered via targeted message is the textbook definition of a spear-phishing attachment, where "spear" indicates the attack was aimed at a specific individual rather than sent in bulk. B (Wateri

Submitted by stefanr· Mar 6, 2026Threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations

Question

A user's workstation becomes unresponsive and displays a ransom note demanding payment to decrypt files. Before the attack, the user opened a resume they received in a message, browsed the company's website, and installed OS updates. Which of the following is the most likely vector of this attack?

Options

  • ASpear-phishing attachment
  • BWatering hole
  • CInfected website
  • DTyposquatting

Explanation

Opening a resume received in a message is the definitive red flag - a malicious file delivered via targeted message is the textbook definition of a spear-phishing attachment, where "spear" indicates the attack was aimed at a specific individual rather than sent in bulk. B (Watering hole) is wrong because that technique involves compromising a website the target organization is known to visit, not the company's own site - and nothing here suggests a third-party site was poisoned. C (Infected website) is similar but even less specific; browsing the company's own website is unlikely to deliver ransomware, and no anomalous site behavior is described. D (Typosquatting) requires the user to mistype a URL and land on a lookalike domain, which is not mentioned anywhere in the scenario.

Memory tip: Spear = specific + attachment. If someone sent you a file and you opened it, think spear-phishing. The "spear" reminds you it's targeted (vs. broad phishing blasts), and the file is the weapon.

Topics

#Spear-phishing#Ransomware#Attack Vectors#Social Engineering

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