- A
Change carol's umask
Why wrong: Umask affects default permissions, not the ability to delete others' files.
- B
Set the setgid bit with 'chmod g+s /shared'
Why wrong: Setgid ensures new files inherit the directory's group, but does not prevent deletion.
- C
Change directory permissions to 770
Why wrong: Permissions are already 770; that is not the issue.
- D
Set the sticky bit with 'chmod +t /shared'
Sticky bit restricts deletion to file owners and root.
Question 489 of 537
Using Sticky Bit to Restrict File Deletion in Shared Directories
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user 'carol' is in group 'staff'. The directory /shared has permissions drwxrwx--- and group staff. Carol can create files but cannot delete other users' files. What is missing?
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
✓
Set the sticky bit with 'chmod +t /shared'
The directory /shared has permissions drwxrwx--- (770), so the group 'staff' has read, write, and execute permissions. Carol, as a member of 'staff', can create files. However, without the sticky bit, any user with write permission can delete any file in the directory, regardless of ownership. Setting the sticky bit (chmod +t /shared) restricts deletion so that only the file owner (or root) can delete their own files, which is why D is 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.
- ✗
Change carol's umask
Why it's wrong here
Umask affects default permissions, not the ability to delete others' files.
- ✗
Set the setgid bit with 'chmod g+s /shared'
Why it's wrong here
Setgid ensures new files inherit the directory's group, but does not prevent deletion.
- ✗
Change directory permissions to 770
Why it's wrong here
Permissions are already 770; that is not the issue.
- ✓
Set the sticky bit with 'chmod +t /shared'
Why this is correct
Sticky bit restricts deletion to file owners and root.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The Red Hat RHCSA exam often tests the distinction between write permission on a directory (which allows deletion) and the sticky bit (which restricts deletion to file owners), leading candidates to mistakenly think that group write permission alone is sufficient or that setgid or umask changes are relevant.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The sticky bit (S_ISVTX) is a permission bit that, when set on a directory, modifies the deletion semantics: only the owner of a file, the owner of the directory, or root can delete or rename files within that directory. This is defined in POSIX and is commonly used on shared directories like /tmp (permissions 1777). Without the sticky bit, any user with write and execute permission on the directory can delete any file, even if they do not own it.
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 network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
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.
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Manage users and groups — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the sticky bit with 'chmod +t /shared' — The directory /shared has permissions drwxrwx--- (770), so the group 'staff' has read, write, and execute permissions. Carol, as a member of 'staff', can create files. However, without the sticky bit, any user with write permission can delete any file in the directory, regardless of ownership. Setting the sticky bit (chmod +t /shared) restricts deletion so that only the file owner (or root) can delete their own files, which is why D is correct.
What should I do if I get this EX200 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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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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