010-160 Security And File Permissions Practice Question
Which directory contains the user accounts' password hashes and aging data on most modern Linux systems?
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
The /etc/shadow file stores the password hashes and aging information securely.
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/shadow
Why this is correct
Contains encrypted hashes and aging.
- ✗
/etc/passwd
Why it's wrong here
Contains user metadata, not shadow hashes.
- ✗
/var/spool/mail
Why it's wrong here
Stores emails.
- ✗
/etc/group
Why it's wrong here
Stores group info.
About these practice questions
This 010-160 question is part of Courseiva's 190-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam 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.