- A
DenyRootLogin yes and AllowGroups sshusers
Why wrong: DenyRootLogin is not a valid directive.
- B
PermitRootLogin prohibit-password and AllowGroups sshusers
Why wrong: prohibit-password allows key-based root login.
- C
PermitRootLogin no and AllowGroups sshusers
Correct directives.
- D
PermitRootLogin no and AllowUsers sshusers
Why wrong: AllowUsers is for users, not groups.
Question 614 of 981
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.
An administrator is hardening SSH and wants to disable root login and only allow users in the 'sshusers' group. Which two directives should be set in /etc/ssh/sshd_config?
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
✓
PermitRootLogin no and AllowGroups sshusers
Option C is correct because the directive `PermitRootLogin no` explicitly disallows root login via SSH, and `AllowGroups sshusers` restricts SSH access to only members of the 'sshusers' group. This combination meets both requirements: disabling root login and limiting access to a specific group. The `AllowGroups` directive is group-based, unlike `AllowUsers`, which is user-based.
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.
- ✗
DenyRootLogin yes and AllowGroups sshusers
Why it's wrong here
DenyRootLogin is not a valid directive.
- ✗
PermitRootLogin prohibit-password and AllowGroups sshusers
Why it's wrong here
prohibit-password allows key-based root login.
- ✓
PermitRootLogin no and AllowGroups sshusers
Why this is correct
Correct directives.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
PermitRootLogin no and AllowUsers sshusers
Why it's wrong here
AllowUsers is for users, not groups.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is confusing `AllowGroups` with `AllowUsers` — candidates often pick `AllowUsers sshusers` thinking it restricts to the group, but it actually restricts to a user named 'sshusers', not group membership.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `AllowGroups` directive in sshd_config uses the system's group membership (from /etc/group) to filter allowed users, and it is evaluated after user authentication. The `PermitRootLogin no` directive sets the `permit_root_login` option to 'no', which completely prevents any SSH session for the root user, regardless of authentication method. In practice, administrators often combine `PermitRootLogin no` with `AllowGroups` to enforce least-privilege access, ensuring that only non-root users in a specific group can log in.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
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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: PermitRootLogin no and AllowGroups sshusers — Option C is correct because the directive `PermitRootLogin no` explicitly disallows root login via SSH, and `AllowGroups sshusers` restricts SSH access to only members of the 'sshusers' group. This combination meets both requirements: disabling root login and limiting access to a specific group. The `AllowGroups` directive is group-based, unlike `AllowUsers`, which is user-based.
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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