- A
ssh-keyscan
Why wrong: ssh-keyscan gathers public host keys from remote hosts.
- B
ssh-keygen
ssh-keygen generates SSH key pairs.
- C
ssh-copy-id
Why wrong: ssh-copy-id copies public keys to remote hosts.
- D
ssh-add
Why wrong: ssh-add adds private key identities to the authentication agent.
Question 291 of 1,000
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.
Which command can be used to generate an SSH key pair for user authentication?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
ssh-keygen
The `ssh-keygen` command is the standard tool for generating SSH key pairs (public and private keys) used for user authentication. It creates RSA, ECDSA, Ed25519, or DSA key files (e.g., `~/.ssh/id_rsa` and `~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub`) and supports options like `-t` for key type and `-b` for bit length, directly enabling passwordless login via public key authentication.
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.
- ✗
ssh-keyscan
Why it's wrong here
ssh-keyscan gathers public host keys from remote hosts.
- ✓
ssh-keygen
Why this is correct
ssh-keygen generates SSH key pairs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
ssh-copy-id
Why it's wrong here
ssh-copy-id copies public keys to remote hosts.
- ✗
ssh-add
Why it's wrong here
ssh-add adds private key identities to the authentication agent.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `ssh-keygen` (key generation) with `ssh-copy-id` (key deployment) or `ssh-add` (key loading), leading them to pick a command that manages existing keys rather than creating new ones.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `ssh-keygen` invokes OpenSSL or libcrypto to generate cryptographically secure random primes for RSA or elliptic curve parameters for ECDSA/Ed25519. The private key is stored in PEM or OpenSSH format, often encrypted with a passphrase using bcrypt or PKCS#8. In real-world scenarios, administrators use `ssh-keygen -t ed25519` for modern, efficient key pairs, and the command can also generate certificates for host-based authentication.
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.
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
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: ssh-keygen — The `ssh-keygen` command is the standard tool for generating SSH key pairs (public and private keys) used for user authentication. It creates RSA, ECDSA, Ed25519, or DSA key files (e.g., `~/.ssh/id_rsa` and `~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub`) and supports options like `-t` for key type and `-b` for bit length, directly enabling passwordless login via public key authentication.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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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