Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

What kind of attacks utilize telephone technology to deceive users for personal gains?

1. Vishing

2. Phishing

3. Smishing

4. Scamming

The correct answer is: Vishing

Vishing, or voice phishing, specifically refers to techniques that deceive individuals over the phone to extract sensitive information or gain financial advantages. It often involves cybercriminals posing as legitimate organizations, such as banks or government agencies, to manipulate victims into revealing personal information like credit card numbers or social security numbers. This type of attack leverages the trust that people generally place in voice communication, enhancing the likelihood of compliance from the victim. In contrast, phishing typically occurs through email or online messages, while smishing uses SMS text messages. Scamming is a broader term that can encompass a variety of fraudulent schemes, including but not limited to vishing. Each of these methods does involve deception, but vishing is specifically tied to phone communication for its execution. This distinction is crucial for understanding the various methods of deception used in cybersecurity.