- A
027
Why wrong: umask 027 gives files 640, which denies others read.
- B
022
umask 022 gives files 644 permissions.
- C
002
Why wrong: umask 002 gives files 664, which allows group write.
- D
077
Why wrong: umask 077 gives files 600, no access to group or others.
Question 263 of 537
Set Default File Permissions to 644
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage security. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
An administrator wants newly created files to be readable and writable only by the owner, and readable by group and others. Which umask value should be set?
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
✓
022
The umask value 022 removes write permissions for group and others, while leaving read and execute permissions intact. Since the default base permissions for files are 666 (rw-rw-rw-), applying umask 022 results in 644 (rw-r--r--), which gives the owner read/write access and group/others read-only access — exactly matching the requirement.
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.
- ✗
027
Why it's wrong here
umask 027 gives files 640, which denies others read.
- ✓
022
Why this is correct
umask 022 gives files 644 permissions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
002
Why it's wrong here
umask 002 gives files 664, which allows group write.
- ✗
077
Why it's wrong here
umask 077 gives files 600, no access to group or others.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common pitfall is confusing the umask as the permissions to grant rather than to subtract. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the default file creation mask is 022, which results in files with 644 permissions (rw-r--r--). Candidates often incorrectly select 002 (which would allow group write) or 077 (which would remove all group/other permissions).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Umask works as a bitwise complement applied to the default base permissions: for files, the default is 666 (no execute by default for security), and the umask is subtracted bitwise to produce the final permissions. The calculation is: final_permissions = base_permissions & ~umask. For umask 022, 666 & ~022 = 666 & 755 = 644 (rw-r--r--). In real-world scenarios, a common mistake is forgetting that files do not inherit the execute bit from umask; directories do, which is why umask 022 yields 755 (rwxr-xr-x) for directories.
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.
- →
Manage security — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Manage security practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Manage security — This question tests Manage security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 022 — The umask value 022 removes write permissions for group and others, while leaving read and execute permissions intact. Since the default base permissions for files are 666 (rw-rw-rw-), applying umask 022 results in 644 (rw-r--r--), which gives the owner read/write access and group/others read-only access — exactly matching the requirement.
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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