This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of gnu and unix commands. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Exhibit
# /etc/ssh/sshd_config snippet
PermitRootLogin no
PasswordAuthentication yes
ChallengeResponseAuthentication no
UsePAM yes
AllowUsers alice bob
DenyUsers charlie
Match User alice
PasswordAuthentication no
Match User bob
PasswordAuthentication yes
Refer to the exhibit. Which of the following is true about SSH access to this server?
Exhibit
# /etc/ssh/sshd_config snippet
PermitRootLogin no
PasswordAuthentication yes
ChallengeResponseAuthentication no
UsePAM yes
AllowUsers alice bob
DenyUsers charlie
Match User alice
PasswordAuthentication no
Match User bob
PasswordAuthentication yes
A
User 'charlie' is denied access regardless of authentication method.
DenyUsers charlie explicitly denies access to user charlie.
B
User 'alice' can authenticate using a password.
Why wrong: The Match block for alice sets PasswordAuthentication no.
C
Password authentication is disabled for all users.
Why wrong: Global PasswordAuthentication yes is overridden per user; bob has it enabled.
D
Root can log in with a password.
Why wrong: PermitRootLogin no prevents root login.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
User 'charlie' is denied access regardless of authentication method.
The exhibit shows an SSH configuration with a `DenyUsers charlie` directive, which explicitly blocks user 'charlie' from any SSH access regardless of the authentication method (password, public key, etc.). This directive takes precedence over any other authentication settings, making option A correct.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
User 'charlie' is denied access regardless of authentication method.
Why this is correct
DenyUsers charlie explicitly denies access to user charlie.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
User 'alice' can authenticate using a password.
Why it's wrong here
The Match block for alice sets PasswordAuthentication no.
✗
Password authentication is disabled for all users.
Why it's wrong here
Global PasswordAuthentication yes is overridden per user; bob has it enabled.
✗
Root can log in with a password.
Why it's wrong here
PermitRootLogin no prevents root login.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume `PasswordAuthentication no` blocks all access, but `DenyUsers` is a separate, pre-authentication block that overrides other settings for specific users.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `DenyUsers` directive in sshd_config (OpenSSH server) is processed before authentication, immediately rejecting the specified user at the connection level. This is distinct from `Match` blocks or `AllowUsers`, which are evaluated later. In real-world scenarios, `DenyUsers` is often used to block specific accounts (e.g., service accounts) without affecting other authentication policies, ensuring they cannot bypass restrictions even with valid keys.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
GNU and Unix Commands — This question tests GNU and Unix Commands — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: User 'charlie' is denied access regardless of authentication method. — The exhibit shows an SSH configuration with a `DenyUsers charlie` directive, which explicitly blocks user 'charlie' from any SSH access regardless of the authentication method (password, public key, etc.). This directive takes precedence over any other authentication settings, making option A correct.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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