010-160 Security And File Permissions Practice Question
What is the primary purpose of the /etc/shadow file?
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
✓
It stores encrypted password hashes.
/etc/shadow stores user password hashes and password aging information, keeping them separate from /etc/passwd for security.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
It stores all user login shells.
Why it's wrong here
That is in /etc/passwd.
- ✗
It stores system-wide cron jobs.
Why it's wrong here
Those are in /etc/crontab.
- ✗
It stores user group membership lists.
Why it's wrong here
That is in /etc/group.
- ✓
It stores encrypted password hashes.
Why this is correct
Shadow files are used to hide sensitive password data.
About these practice questions
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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.