LFCS User and Group Management Practice Question
Which file stores the encrypted password (or password hash) for user accounts?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is assuming that /etc/passwd still stores passwords, as it did in early Unix systems. Candidates must remember that modern systems use /etc/shadow for password hashes, and /etc/passwd only contains a placeholder.
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
✓
/etc/shadow
/etc/shadow is correct because it stores encrypted password hashes for user accounts, along with password aging information. It is readable only by root to prevent unauthorized access to password hashes. The /etc/passwd file historically stored passwords but now only contains user account information, with the password field replaced by an 'x' indicating the hash is in /etc/shadow.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
/etc/group
Why it's wrong here
/etc/group holds group names, GIDs and membership lists, not password hashes. It is tempting because group administration touches account data, but authentication credentials live in /etc/shadow, which only root can read, whereas /etc/group is world-readable.
- ✓
/etc/shadow
Why this is correct
The /etc/shadow file holds the encrypted password hash, readable only by root, unlike the world-readable /etc/passwd which merely stores an 'x' placeholder. This satisfies the requirement to identify where the actual password hash for user accounts is kept.
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/etc/passwd
Why it's wrong here
/etc/passwd holds the username, UID, GID, home directory and shell, with the password field typically an 'x' placeholder. It is tempting because it is the classic account database, but on modern systems the hash resides in /etc/shadow, readable only by root.
- ✗
/etc/gshadow
Why it's wrong here
/etc/gshadow stores encrypted group passwords for groups joined via the newgrp command, not user account credentials. It is tempting because its name and shadow-style permissions resemble /etc/shadow, but user password hashes are held in /etc/shadow.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Linux Foundation exam blueprint
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.