Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate (PCCSA) — Question 20

An attacker emails a malicious URL link to 50,000 email addresses. The email states that users can click the link to view the latest celebrity news, but the link also secretly infects the user's laptop. This scenario describes which type of attack?

Answer options

• A. whaling
• B. phishing
• C. drive-by download
• D. pharming

Correct answer: B

Explanation

The correct answer is B, phishing, which involves tricking individuals into clicking on malicious links under false pretenses. Whaling (A) targets high-profile individuals, drive-by download (C) refers to automatic downloads without user interaction, and pharming (D) redirects users from legitimate sites to fraudulent ones, none of which match the scenario described.