Question 212 of 750

Linux Commands and File Permissions →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

How to Create a User with a Private Home Directory in Linux

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of linux commands and file permissions. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.

A system administrator needs to add a new user 'jdoe' to the system and ensure that their home directory is created with restrictive permissions so that no other users can access it. Which command sequence achieves this?

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.

A
useradd -m jdoe && chmod 700 /home/jdoe
This creates the user with a home directory and then sets the directory permissions to 700 (owner only), preventing others from accessing it.
B
useradd jdoe && chmod 755 /home/jdoe
Why wrong: 755 gives others read and execute, which allows them to list and enter the directory, not restrictive.
C
adduser jdoe --private
Why wrong: The adduser command may have a --private flag in some distributions, but it is not standard across all Linux systems; useradd is the universal tool.
D
useradd -m -g jdoe jdoe
Why wrong: This creates a group with the same name and sets it as primary, but does not change permissions; default permissions still apply.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The correct answer is to use `useradd -m jdoe && chmod 700 /home/jdoe`. This works because the `-m` flag creates the home directory with default permissions of 755, which allows other users to enter and list its contents, so the `chmod 700` command is then applied to restrict access exclusively to the owner. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of Linux user creation and file permission management, often appearing as a scenario where you must ensure a private home directory for a new user. A common trap is assuming `useradd` alone sets restrictive permissions by default, or forgetting that `chmod 700` is needed after creation; the alternative `-K UMASK=0077` option can also achieve this in one step but is less frequently tested. Remember the memory tip: “700 locks the door, 755 leaves it open for a peek.”

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

✓

useradd -m jdoe && chmod 700 /home/jdoe

Option A is correct because `useradd -m jdoe` creates the user and their home directory `/home/jdoe`, and `chmod 700 /home/jdoe` sets the directory permissions to `rwx------`, which grants full access only to the owner (jdoe) and denies all access to group and others. This meets the requirement of restrictive permissions so that no other users can access the home directory.

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.

✓
useradd -m jdoe && chmod 700 /home/jdoe
Why this is correct
This creates the user with a home directory and then sets the directory permissions to 700 (owner only), preventing others from accessing it.
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.
✗
useradd jdoe && chmod 755 /home/jdoe
Why it's wrong here
755 gives others read and execute, which allows them to list and enter the directory, not restrictive.
✗
adduser jdoe --private
Why it's wrong here
The adduser command may have a --private flag in some distributions, but it is not standard across all Linux systems; useradd is the universal tool.
✗
useradd -m -g jdoe jdoe
Why it's wrong here
This creates a group with the same name and sets it as primary, but does not change permissions; default permissions still apply.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA often tests the distinction between creating a user with default permissions versus explicitly setting restrictive permissions, and the trap here is that candidates may assume `useradd -m` alone or a group-based option (like `-g`) automatically enforces privacy, when in fact the umask or default settings can leave the home directory accessible to others.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
The adduser command may have a --private flag in some distributions, but it is not standard across all Linux systems; useradd is the universal tool.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The `useradd -m` flag ensures the home directory is created with default permissions based on the system's umask (usually 022, resulting in 755). By explicitly running `chmod 700`, the administrator overrides this default to achieve the desired restrictive access. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for users handling sensitive data, such as SSH private keys stored in `~/.ssh`, which must have permissions 700 or 600 to prevent unauthorized access; a common pitfall is forgetting that group permissions (e.g., 750) still allow group members to read files.

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 220-1202 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.

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 220-1202 question test?

Linux Commands and File Permissions — This question tests Linux Commands and File Permissions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: useradd -m jdoe && chmod 700 /home/jdoe — Option A is correct because `useradd -m jdoe` creates the user and their home directory `/home/jdoe`, and `chmod 700 /home/jdoe` sets the directory permissions to `rwx------`, which grants full access only to the owner (jdoe) and denies all access to group and others. This meets the requirement of restrictive permissions so that no other users can access the home directory.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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.

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