010-160 Security And File Permissions Practice Question
A user's account has been compromised. Which command is the most effective way to lock the user account immediately while preserving their files?
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
✓
usermod -L jdoe
The usermod -L command locks the password, preventing the user from logging in, while keeping the user's home directory and files intact.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
usermod -L jdoe
Why this is correct
Locks the password without removing user data.
- ✗
userdel jdoe
Why it's wrong here
userdel removes the account, potentially deleting files if -r is used.
- ✗
killall -u jdoe
Why it's wrong here
This kills active processes but does not prevent future logins.
- ✗
chsh -s /bin/false jdoe
Why it's wrong here
This prevents login, but is less direct than locking the password field.
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every 010-160 question from scratch — 190 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official LPI exam blueprint
This 010-160 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 010-160 exam.