- A
chmod 600 file.txt
chmod 600 sets owner rw, group and others nothing.
- B
chown 600 file.txt
Why wrong: chown changes ownership, not permissions.
- C
umask 077 file.txt
Why wrong: umask sets default permissions for new files, not for existing ones.
- D
setfacl -m u::rw file.txt
Why wrong: setfacl modifies ACLs, which is more granular but not the standard simple command.
Question 339 of 1,000
SSCP Systems and Application Security Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of systems and application security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
In Linux, which command is used to change file permissions to restrict access so that only the owner can read and write, and the group and others have no access?
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
✓
chmod 600 file.txt
The chmod command changes file permissions. The octal mode 600 sets read/write for owner, no permissions for group and others.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
chmod 600 file.txt
Why this is correct
chmod 600 sets owner rw, group and others nothing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
chown 600 file.txt
Why it's wrong here
chown changes ownership, not permissions.
- ✗
umask 077 file.txt
Why it's wrong here
umask sets default permissions for new files, not for existing ones.
- ✗
setfacl -m u::rw file.txt
Why it's wrong here
setfacl modifies ACLs, which is more granular but not the standard simple command.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
setfacl modifies ACLs, which is more granular but not the standard simple command.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SSCP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Systems and Application Security — This question tests Systems and Application Security — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: chmod 600 file.txt — The chmod command changes file permissions. The octal mode 600 sets read/write for owner, no permissions for group and others.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SSCP subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 SSCP exam.
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