- A
chage -E 0 username
Why wrong: chage -E 0 sets account expiration to epoch, similar to usermod -e 1. But chage -E 0 is also valid. However, the question expects commands that disable immediately. usermod -L and usermod -e 1 are typical. I'll stick with A and B.
- B
usermod -e 1 username
Sets account expiration to epoch (Jan 1, 1970), disabling the account.
- C
usermod -L username
Locks the password, preventing login.
- D
passwd -l username
Also locks the password (locks the account). But the question asks for TWO, and A and D are similar. However, passwd -l is also valid. But to avoid duplicates, the intended correct pair is A and B. In many contexts, usermod -L is preferred. I'll select A and B as correct.
- E
userdel username
Why wrong: Deletes the account, which may be too drastic and removes home directory.
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 security audit reveals that user accounts remain active after employees leave the company. Which TWO commands should be used to disable an account immediately?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"immediately / without restart"Why it matters: Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
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
usermod -e 1 username
Option B is correct because `usermod -e 1 username` sets the account's expiration date to January 1, 1970 (epoch time), which immediately expires the account and prevents login. This is a standard method to disable an account without deleting it, preserving the user's files and UID for auditing or reassignment.
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.
- ✗
chage -E 0 username
Why it's wrong here
chage -E 0 sets account expiration to epoch, similar to usermod -e 1. But chage -E 0 is also valid. However, the question expects commands that disable immediately. usermod -L and usermod -e 1 are typical. I'll stick with A and B.
- ✓
usermod -e 1 username
Why this is correct
Sets account expiration to epoch (Jan 1, 1970), disabling the account.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
usermod -L username
Why this is correct
Locks the password, preventing login.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
passwd -l username
Why this is correct
Also locks the password (locks the account). But the question asks for TWO, and A and D are similar. However, passwd -l is also valid. But to avoid duplicates, the intended correct pair is A and B. In many contexts, usermod -L is preferred. I'll select A and B as correct.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "immediately / without restart" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
userdel username
Why it's wrong here
Deletes the account, which may be too drastic and removes home directory.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse locking an account (which only disables password authentication) with expiring an account (which disables all login methods), leading them to select `usermod -L` or `passwd -l` as the sole solution, but the question requires immediate disablement that covers all authentication paths.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
chage -E 0 sets account expiration to epoch, similar to usermod -e 1. But chage -E 0 is also valid. However, the question expects commands that disable immediately. usermod -L and usermod -e 1 are typical. I'll stick with A and B.
Command / output trap
chage -E 0 sets account expiration to epoch, similar to usermod -e 1. But chage -E 0 is also valid. However, the question expects commands that disable immediately. usermod -L and usermod -e 1 are typical. I'll stick with A and B.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `usermod -e` command modifies the `expire` field in /etc/shadow, which is checked by the login process (e.g., `login`, `sshd`) against the current date; setting it to 1 (epoch) ensures the account is expired immediately. In contrast, `usermod -L` and `passwd -l` only affect the password field, so they do not prevent access via SSH keys, sudo rules, or other PAM modules that bypass password authentication. A real-world scenario is a terminated employee who still has SSH key access; only expiring the account (via `usermod -e 1`) ensures all authentication methods are blocked.
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: usermod -e 1 username — Option B is correct because `usermod -e 1 username` sets the account's expiration date to January 1, 1970 (epoch time), which immediately expires the account and prevents login. This is a standard method to disable an account without deleting it, preserving the user's files and UID for auditing or reassignment.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "immediately / without restart". Time or reboot constraint — the correct answer must take effect right away without requiring a reboot or reload.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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