hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: Which THREE files are commonly used to store…
Which THREE files are commonly used to store local user account information? (Select 3.)
⚠ Common exam trap
The Linux+ exam often tests the distinction between files that store actual user records (/etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, /etc/group) versus configuration files that control behavior (/etc/login.defs) or shadowed group data (/etc/gshadow), leading candidates to select /etc/gshadow or /etc/login.defs incorrectly.
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
✓
/etc/group
The /etc/passwd file stores basic user account information (username, UID, GID, home directory, shell) in a colon-separated format. /etc/shadow stores encrypted password hashes and password aging data, separated from the world-readable /etc/passwd for security. /etc/group stores group definitions, including group name, GID, and member list, which is essential for local user group membership.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
/etc/group
Why this is correct
Contains group information and group member lists.
- ✗
/etc/gshadow
Why it's wrong here
Stores group passwords, not user account info.
- ✓
/etc/shadow
Why this is correct
Contains encrypted password hashes and password aging info.
- ✗
/etc/login.defs
Why it's wrong here
Contains default settings for account creation, not actual account data.
- ✓
/etc/passwd
Why this is correct
Contains user account information including username and UID.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
passwd
passwd is a command-line utility used on Linux and Unix-like systems to change a user's password, typically stored in an encrypted format in the /etc/shadow file.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
About these practice questions
One of 979 original XK0-006 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.