SK0-005 server-administration Practice Question
An administrator needs to remotely manage several Linux servers securely without using passwords. Which of the following is the BEST method?
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
✓
Use SSH with key-based authentication.
Option C is correct because SSH with key-based authentication provides strong, password-less remote access. Option A is wrong because RDP is primarily used on Windows, not typical for Linux. Option B is wrong because Telnet is insecure, and SSH tunneling does not make Telnet secure. Option D is wrong because VNC is less secure and not designed for efficient server administration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Use Telnet with SSH tunneling.
Why it's wrong here
Telnet transmits data in cleartext, and SSH tunneling does not secure the Telnet protocol itself; it only encrypts the tunnel, but the underlying Telnet session remains vulnerable.
- ✗
Use VNC with a strong password.
Why it's wrong here
VNC is primarily a graphical desktop sharing tool and is not as secure or efficient as SSH for server administration tasks.
- ✗
Use RDP with certificate-based authentication.
Why it's wrong here
RDP is not commonly used for Linux server remote administration; it is more suited for Windows environments.
- ✓
Use SSH with key-based authentication.
Why this is correct
SSH with key-based authentication is the industry standard for secure, password-less remote administration on Linux servers.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Authentication, Authorization, and Encryption
Key term
Authentication
Authentication is the process of verifying that someone or something is who or what it claims to be before granting access to a system or resource.
Key term
VNC
VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a cross-platform remote desktop protocol that allows a user to control another computer over a network.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed July 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This SK0-005 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 SK0-005 exam.