200-201 Host-Based Analysis Practice Question
A Linux system administrator notices unauthorized SSH logins in /var/log/auth.log. Which of the following log entries would indicate a failed SSH login attempt?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Failed password for root
In auth.log, failed SSH logins typically contain 'Failed password' messages. Accepted password indicates success, and Invalid user may accompany failed attempts but the key indicator is 'Failed password'.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Failed password for root
Why this is correct
This explicitly indicates a failed password attempt.
- ✗
Connection closed by authenticating user
Why it's wrong here
This indicates termination, not failure.
- ✗
Session opened for user
Why it's wrong here
This is a session open event after successful authentication.
- ✗
Accepted publickey for root
Why it's wrong here
This indicates a successful login using public key.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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