- A
pam_faillock
Why wrong: pam_faillock is used for account lockout after failed attempts.
- B
pam_pwquality
Why wrong: pam_pwquality enforces password complexity rules, not history.
- C
pam_unix
Why wrong: pam_unix handles basic authentication and password aging, not history.
- D
pam_pwhistory
pam_pwhistory maintains a history of previous passwords and can reject reuse.
Question 201 of 1,000
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A Linux administrator wants to prevent users from reusing their last five passwords. Which PAM module should be configured?
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
✓
pam_pwhistory
The pam_pwhistory module is specifically designed to enforce password history policies by storing a user's previous passwords in a separate file (e.g., /etc/security/opasswd) and preventing reuse of those passwords. By configuring the 'remember' option in the PAM stack, the administrator can set the number of previous passwords that cannot be reused, such as 'remember=5' to block the last five passwords.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
pam_faillock
Why it's wrong here
pam_faillock is used for account lockout after failed attempts.
- ✗
pam_pwquality
Why it's wrong here
pam_pwquality enforces password complexity rules, not history.
- ✗
pam_unix
Why it's wrong here
pam_unix handles basic authentication and password aging, not history.
- ✓
pam_pwhistory
Why this is correct
pam_pwhistory maintains a history of previous passwords and can reject reuse.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse pam_pwquality (which enforces password strength) with pam_pwhistory (which enforces password reuse prevention), leading them to select pam_pwquality when the question specifically asks about preventing reuse of previous passwords.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, pam_pwhistory stores the hashed passwords of previous passwords in /etc/security/opasswd, with each user's history appended as they change passwords. The 'remember' parameter in the PAM configuration (e.g., 'password required pam_pwhistory.so remember=5') controls how many previous hashes are retained; when a user attempts to reuse a password, the module compares the new hash against the stored history and denies the change if a match is found. In real-world scenarios, this module is often combined with pam_unix in the password stack to ensure both history and standard authentication checks are applied.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the XK0-005 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
Security — This question tests Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: pam_pwhistory — The pam_pwhistory module is specifically designed to enforce password history policies by storing a user's previous passwords in a separate file (e.g., /etc/security/opasswd) and preventing reuse of those passwords. By configuring the 'remember' option in the PAM stack, the administrator can set the number of previous passwords that cannot be reused, such as 'remember=5' to block the last five passwords.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the XK0-005 exam.
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