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XK0-006 Practice Question: After a security audit, it is recommended to…

After a security audit, it is recommended to disable SSH password authentication in favor of key-based authentication. Which configuration line should be set in /etc/ssh/sshd_config?

⚠ Common exam trap

Candidates often confuse `PasswordAuthentication` with `PubkeyAuthentication` or think that disabling password authentication requires setting it to `yes`, when in fact the directive must be set to `no` to disable it.

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

✓

PasswordAuthentication no

Disabling password authentication forces SSH to use key-based authentication, which is more secure against brute-force attacks. Setting `PasswordAuthentication no` in `/etc/ssh/sshd_config` prevents SSH from prompting for a password, requiring a valid SSH key pair for authentication. This aligns with the security audit's recommendation to disable password authentication in favor of key-based authentication.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✗

    PasswordAuthentication yes

    Why it's wrong here

    Enables password authentication, against policy.

  • ✗

    PubkeyAuthentication no

    Why it's wrong here

    Disables public key authentication, opposite of desired.

  • ✓

    PasswordAuthentication no

    Why this is correct

    Disables password authentication, correct.

  • ✗

    ChallengeResponseAuthentication yes

    Why it's wrong here

    May still allow password-based methods.

About these practice questions

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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.