Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

Which type of email is designed to deceive users into forwarding it to others?

1. Hoax Letter

2. Spam

3. Chain Letter

4. Phishing

The correct answer is: Chain Letter

A chain letter is specifically designed to encourage individuals to forward it to others, often creating a viral effect. This type of email typically contains a message that entices the recipient to share it with a specified number of people, under the pretense that they could receive something in return, whether that be good luck, money, or another benefit. Chain letters can spread quickly through shares and forwards, making them a form of social engineering that exploits human behavior by tapping into the desire for connection, community, or simple curiosity. In contrast, hoax letters typically aim to spread false information rather than encourage forwarding, while spam generally refers to unsolicited bulk messages that do not have the specific goal of being passed along by users. Phishing emails are crafted to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, but they are not inherently designed for forwarding like chain letters are.