LFCS Storage Management Practice Question
An administrator needs to encrypt a block device (/dev/sdc) using LUKS. Which command creates an encrypted LUKS container on the device?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse `luksFormat` (which creates the container) with `luksOpen` (which opens/maps it), or they think a generic encryption tool like `openssl enc` can replace LUKS for block device encryption.
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
✓
cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc
`cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc` initializes the block device with a LUKS header, setting up an encrypted container that can later be opened with a passphrase or key file. This is the standard command for creating a new LUKS partition, as it writes the LUKS metadata and prepares the device for encryption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
cryptsetup luksOpen /dev/sdc encrypted_device
Why it's wrong here
Opens an existing LUKS container, does not create one.
- ✓
cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sdc
Why this is correct
Initializes the LUKS container.
- ✗
openssl enc -aes-256-cbc -in /dev/sdc -out /dev/sdc.enc
Why it's wrong here
OpenSSL encrypts file content, not for block device encryption.
- ✗
dm-crypt create encrypted /dev/sdc
Why it's wrong here
Legacy method, not the standard LUKS approach.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation 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 LFCS exam.