XK0-006 Security Practice Question
A Linux engineer needs to restrict resource usage for users in the 'developers' group. Which TWO files or commands can be used to set ulimit values?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the configuration file (/etc/security/limits.conf) with the PAM module file (/etc/pam.d/login) or think the ulimit command alone can set persistent limits for a group, when in fact ulimit only affects the current shell session and is not persistent across logins for all group members.
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
✓
/etc/security/limits.conf
/etc/security/limits.conf is the standard configuration file used by the pam_limits.so PAM module to set per-user or per-group resource limits (ulimits) such as max number of open files, max processes, etc. This file allows system administrators to define hard and soft limits persistently across logins for users or groups, including the 'developers' group.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
sysctl command
Why it's wrong here
sysctl is for kernel parameters, not user limits.
- ✓
/etc/security/limits.conf
Why this is correct
This file specifies limits for users and groups.
- ✗
/etc/pam.d/login with pam_limits.so
Why it's wrong here
This enables the limits, but does not set the values.
- ✗
/etc/ulimit.conf
Why it's wrong here
There is no such standard file.
- ✓
ulimit command
Why this is correct
The ulimit command sets resource limits for the shell.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 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 XK0-006 exam.