The correct command is `chage -M 99999 -I 90 svc_backup`, which uses the `chage` utility to set a password that never expires and lock the account after inactivity. The `-M 99999` flag extends the maximum password age to nearly 274 years, effectively preventing expiration, while the `-I 90` flag enforces a 90-day inactivity lockout by disabling the account if no login occurs within that period. On the LFCS exam, this tests your understanding of user account security policies and the `chage` command’s role in managing password aging and inactivity locks—a common trap is confusing `-I` (inactivity) with `-E` (expiry date). Remember the mnemonic: “M for Max age, I for Idle lock” to keep the flags straight.
LFCS User and Group Management Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of user and group management. 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 security policy requires that user 'svc_backup' have a password that never expires. Additionally, the account should be locked after 90 days of inactivity. Which set of commands achieves this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "never"
Why it matters: Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
chage -M 99999 -I 90 svc_backup
Option C is correct because `chage -M 99999` sets the maximum password age to 99999 days, effectively preventing the password from ever expiring (since 99999 days far exceeds any practical lifespan). The `-I 90` flag sets the inactivity period to 90 days, meaning the account will be locked after 90 days of no login activity. This combination satisfies both security policy requirements: a non-expiring password and automatic lockout after 90 days of inactivity.
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.
✗
chage -W 7 -I 90 svc_backup
Why it's wrong here
-W sets warning days before password expiration; does not affect max days or inactivity.
✗
chage -E 2025-01-01 -I 90 svc_backup
Why it's wrong here
-E sets an absolute account expiration date, not password inactivity lock.
✓
chage -M 99999 -I 90 svc_backup
Why this is correct
-M 99999 effectively disables password expiration; -I 90 locks account after 90 days of inactivity.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "never" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
chage -M 90 -I 90 svc_backup
Why it's wrong here
-M 90 sets maximum password age to 90 days, forcing password change; administrator wants password never to expire.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `-I` (inactivity lock) with `-E` (account expiration) or assume that setting `-M 90` combined with `-I 90` will satisfy both requirements, but `-M 90` causes the password to expire, which violates the 'never expires' mandate.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `chage` command modifies the `/etc/shadow` file fields: `-M` sets the maximum number of days a password is valid (field 4), and a value of 99999 (or 0 for no expiration) effectively disables password aging. The `-I` flag sets the inactivity period (field 6), which is the number of days after password expiration that the account is locked; however, when `-M` is set to 99999, the password never expires, so the inactivity period is measured from the last password change, not from expiration. In practice, this means the account will be locked after 90 days of no login activity, even though the password itself never expires—a subtle but important distinction for security policies that require both long-lived passwords and dormant account cleanup.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
User and Group Management — This question tests User and Group Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: chage -M 99999 -I 90 svc_backup — Option C is correct because `chage -M 99999` sets the maximum password age to 99999 days, effectively preventing the password from ever expiring (since 99999 days far exceeds any practical lifespan). The `-I 90` flag sets the inactivity period to 90 days, meaning the account will be locked after 90 days of no login activity. This combination satisfies both security policy requirements: a non-expiring password and automatic lockout after 90 days of inactivity.
What should I do if I get this LFCS 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: "never". Absolute qualifier. True only if the statement has zero exceptions — be cautious of options that seem obvious but break down in edge cases.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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