- A
pam_pwquality
pam_pwquality enforces password complexity rules.
- B
pam_unix
Why wrong: pam_unix handles authentication and password aging, not complexity.
- C
pam_faillock
Why wrong: pam_faillock is for account lockout after failed attempts.
- D
pam_tally2
Why wrong: pam_tally2 is for counting authentication failures.
Question 729 of 981
XK0-005 Security Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of security. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 system administrator wants to enforce a password policy requiring a minimum length of 12 characters, at least one uppercase letter, and one digit. Which PAM module should be configured?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"least"Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
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_pwquality
pam_pwquality is the correct PAM module because it is specifically designed to enforce password complexity requirements, such as minimum length, uppercase letters, and digits, through configurable parameters like minlen, ucredit, and dcredit. It replaces the older pam_cracklib and is the standard module for password quality checks on modern Linux systems.
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_pwquality
Why this is correct
pam_pwquality enforces password complexity rules.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "least", "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
pam_unix
Why it's wrong here
pam_unix handles authentication and password aging, not complexity.
- ✗
pam_faillock
Why it's wrong here
pam_faillock is for account lockout after failed attempts.
- ✗
pam_tally2
Why it's wrong here
pam_tally2 is for counting authentication failures.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse pam_unix (which handles authentication and password aging) with pam_pwquality (which enforces complexity), because both are commonly used together in password policies but serve distinct roles.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
pam_pwquality works by intercepting password changes and applying rules defined in /etc/security/pwquality.conf or directly in the PAM configuration line. For example, setting minlen=12 enforces a minimum length, while ucredit=-1 requires at least one uppercase character by subtracting one from the credit for uppercase letters. A subtle behavior is that credit values can be negative (requiring a minimum count) or positive (allowing fewer of that character class), which often confuses administrators.
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_pwquality — pam_pwquality is the correct PAM module because it is specifically designed to enforce password complexity requirements, such as minimum length, uppercase letters, and digits, through configurable parameters like minlen, ucredit, and dcredit. It replaces the older pam_cracklib and is the standard module for password quality checks on modern Linux systems.
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: "least", "minimum / minimize". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
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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