XK0-006 Security Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to add a new user named 'jdoe' with a home directory and a bash shell. Which command accomplishes this?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing useradd (create) with usermod (modify) and mixing Debian's adduser syntax with RHEL's useradd — candidates who don't check the distro context pick the wrong command.
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 with -m creates the home directory and -s /bin/bash sets the login shell, so 'useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe' creates user jdoe with a home directory and bash shell in one step. This is the canonical low-level command on RHEL/CentOS and other systemd-based distributions for non-interactive user creation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
usermod -m -s /bin/bash jdoe
Why it's wrong here
usermod modifies an account that already exists; it cannot create jdoe, so it fails before -m or -s matter. It is tempting because usermod -m -s /bin/bash does set a home directory and shell, which is exactly the desired end state. The correct command is useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe.
- ✗
adduser jdoe --home /home/jdoe --shell /bin/bash
Why it's wrong here
adduser is Debian's interactive wrapper and rejects long GNU-style flags such as --home and --shell; it prompts instead. It is tempting because adduser does create the home directory and set the shell, but only via its own prompts or short options. On RHEL-family systems useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe is the correct command.
- ✓
useradd -m -s /bin/bash jdoe
Why this is correct
The -m flag creates the home directory and -s /bin/bash sets the login shell, satisfying both stated requirements in one command. Without -m, useradd leaves no home directory; without -s, the system default shell applies.
- ✗
passwd -m jdoe
Why it's wrong here
passwd changes an existing account's password or aging fields; the -m flag sets minimum password lifetime, so it cannot create jdoe or assign a home directory or shell. It is tempting because passwd does administer user accounts, but only authentication data. Account creation requires useradd or adduser, not passwd.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Installing Linux and Package Management
Key term
Shell
A shell is a computer program that provides a user interface to access an operating system's services, typically by accepting text commands.
Key term
useradd
A command-line utility in Unix-like operating systems used to create a new user account with specified settings.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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