XK0-006 Security Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to add a new user named 'jdoe' with a home directory and bash shell. Which command accomplishes this?
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
✓
useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe
The useradd command creates a new user, and the -m flag creates the home directory, -s sets the shell. useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe is correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
groupadd -u jdoe -s /bin/bash
Why it's wrong here
groupadd creates groups; its -u and -s flags are invalid, so no user or home directory results. It is tempting because it manipulates account attributes, but adding a user with a home directory and login shell requires useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe.
- ✓
useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe
Why this is correct
useradd -m creates the home directory and -s /bin/bash sets the login shell, satisfying both stated requirements in a single command. Without -m, no home directory is created; without -s, the system default shell applies.
- ✗
adduser -h /home/jdoe -s bash jdoe
Why it's wrong here
The -h flag sets an existing directory as home rather than creating one, and 'bash' is not an absolute shell path, so the account is malformed. It tempts because adduser does create users; on Debian, plain 'adduser jdoe' interactively creates the home directory and shell correctly.
- ✗
usermod -m -s /bin/bash jdoe
Why it's wrong here
usermod modifies an existing account; jdoe does not yet exist, so the command fails. It tempts because -m creates a home directory and -s sets the login shell, which is exactly what is needed — but only after useradd has already created the account.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Installing Linux and Package Management
Key term
Bash
Bash is a command-line interpreter that lets users interact with an operating system by typing text commands instead of clicking icons.
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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