LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
Exhibit
[global] workgroup = WORKGROUP server string = %h server security = user map to guest = Bad User log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m max log size = 50 [public] path = /srv/samba/public guest ok = yes read only = yes browseable = yes
Refer to the exhibit. A user attempts to access the 'public' share without authentication. What will be the outcome?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates assume `security = user` always blocks unauthenticated access, overlooking the fact that `map to guest = Bad User` can override this by redirecting failed logins to the guest account, especially when combined with `guest ok = yes`.
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
✓
Access granted as guest because map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
The Samba configuration combines `map to guest = Bad User` with `guest ok = yes`. When a user attempts to access the 'public' share without authentication, Samba treats the connection as a guest due to the 'Bad User' mapping (since no valid credentials were provided). The `guest ok = yes` directive then explicitly grants access to the share, allowing the user to connect as the guest account (typically 'nobody').
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Access denied because security = user
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; map to guest overrides this.
- ✓
Access granted as guest because map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
Why this is correct
Correct; guest access is enabled.
- ✗
Access denied because read only = yes
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; read only only prevents writes, not reads.
- ✗
Access granted with full read/write because guest ok = yes
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; read only = yes restricts to read-only.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.