LFCS User and Group Management Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers 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.
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
✓
chage -M 99999 -I 90 svc_backup
`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.
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
The -M 99999 flag sets the maximum days between password changes to effectively never expire, meeting the no-expiry policy. The -I 90 flag sets the inactivity period, after which the account is locked, satisfying the 90-day lockout requirement precisely.
- ✗
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.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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