This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of file sharing and samba. 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.
A Samba share is intended for guest (anonymous) access. Which global parameter must be set to allow this?
guest account = nobody
Why wrong: Sets the guest account but does not enable guest access.
security = share
Why wrong: Deprecated and not recommended.
map to guest = Bad User
Maps unknown users to the guest account.
security = user
Why wrong: Requires authentication, not guest access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
map to guest = Bad User
Option C is correct because the `map to guest = Bad User` parameter in Samba's global configuration forces any connection attempt with an invalid or non-existent username to be treated as a guest (anonymous) login. This is the standard way to allow anonymous access to shares while still using `security = user` (the default in modern Samba), as it maps failed authentication to the guest account.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
guest account = nobody
Why it's wrong here
Sets the guest account but does not enable guest access.
security = share
Why it's wrong here
Deprecated and not recommended.
map to guest = Bad User
Why this is correct
Maps unknown users to the guest account.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
security = user
Why it's wrong here
Requires authentication, not guest access.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the deprecated `security = share` (which was removed in Samba 4.x) with the correct modern approach, or they think setting `guest account = nobody` alone is sufficient to enable anonymous access, when in fact `map to guest` is the key parameter that controls the mapping of failed logins to guest sessions.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, when `map to guest = Bad User` is set, Samba's authentication layer intercepts failed NTLM or Kerberos logins and reassigns the session to the guest account (typically `nobody`). This is critical for public file shares (e.g., a printer driver repository) where you want to avoid prompting for credentials while still using modern SMB dialects like SMB3. A subtle behavior: if you set `map to guest = Bad Password`, even valid users who mistype their password will be downgraded to guest, which can be a security risk.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-2 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
File Sharing and Samba — This question tests File Sharing and Samba — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: map to guest = Bad User — Option C is correct because the `map to guest = Bad User` parameter in Samba's global configuration forces any connection attempt with an invalid or non-existent username to be treated as a guest (anonymous) login. This is the standard way to allow anonymous access to shares while still using `security = user` (the default in modern Samba), as it maps failed authentication to the guest account.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This LPIC-2 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 LPIC-2 exam.
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