LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
A Red Hat system administrator suspects that the files belonging to the 'openssh-server' package have been modified since installation. Which command verifies the integrity of the installed package files?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse `rpm -K` (key/signature verification of a package file) with `rpm -V` (verification of installed files against the database), as both involve 'verification' but serve entirely different purposes.
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
✓
rpm -V openssh-server
The `rpm -V` (verify) command checks the integrity of installed package files by comparing their current attributes (size, MD5 checksum, permissions, etc.) against the original metadata stored in the RPM database. This directly answers the question of whether files belonging to the 'openssh-server' package have been modified since installation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
rpm -K openssh-server
Why it's wrong here
Checks signature of the downloaded package file.
- ✗
rpm -qa | grep openssh
Why it's wrong here
Lists installed packages, does not verify.
- ✗
rpm -q openssh-server
Why it's wrong here
Only queries package information.
- ✓
rpm -V openssh-server
Why this is correct
Verifies installed files against package database.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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