Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What is the term for the unauthorized entry into a secure area with the permission of an authorized person?

1. Piggybacking

2. Shoulder Surfing

3. Whaling

4. Chain Letter

The correct answer is: Piggybacking

The term for the unauthorized entry into a secure area with the permission of an authorized person is known as piggybacking. This occurs when an unauthorized individual gains access to a restricted area by closely following someone who has legitimate access. The authorized individual may unknowingly assist the unauthorized person by holding the door or merely by allowing them to walk in behind them. This security breach can lead to significant risks as it allows individuals who should not be present access to secure environments, potentially leading to theft of information, data breaches, or other malicious activities. Understanding piggybacking is crucial for maintaining secure access controls in sensitive areas. Shoulder surfing, whaling, and chain letters do not relate to the concept of authorized access. Shoulder surfing refers to observing a person's private information, such as passwords or PIN numbers, typically by looking over their shoulder. Whaling is a type of phishing that specifically targets high-profile individuals, often within organizations. A chain letter is a message that encourages the recipient to send copies to others, often for the purpose of spreading sentiment or engaging with scams, and is irrelevant in this context.